Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-03-27

The subcommittee OF the joint OouA-
Gil and citizens committee on new char
ter met at the Office of the City Clerk,
last evening. and we're in session until
nine o'clock. The time was spent in a
general interchange OF ideas as 10 the
main features Of the new fundamental
law for the city, and while nothing was
decided definitely. ideas which appear
10 be sound were developed, and the fact
was established that the committee was
entirely harmonious as TO the main
points. agreeing not only on the de-
fects Of the present system Of govern
men5. but also upon the remedies 10 De
applied. ~
The committee organized by eiecung
Col ]. A. Miller permanent chairman.
The first matter taken up was the
question of counsel. II soon developed
that each Of the four members oil the
committe mad gentleman in view, ana
they were suggested with eulogistlc re-
marks. Each Of the gentlemen named
was well fitted for the position, ana no
mistake would be made no matter VINO
should be finally elected. After com
pariug notes for a time. the selection OF
an attorney was laid aside until the
next meeting by general consent, ana
meanwhile the members will confer
with the man OF their choice as to terms,
etc.
The question Of whether or not there
should be any attempt 10 enlarge the
boundaries Of the city then came up,
the particular question being whether
or not there should be an effort 20
take in Fulton and so much OF the
present town Of BenwOOd as lies be
tween Forty-eighth street and the line
of BOggs run. The water system OF
the CITY Of Wheeling is now laid IN
these two territories, and although the
district between F,Orty-eighth street
and Boggs' run iiesin Marshall county, II
is thought that the people there would
be willing 70 come into Ohio county and
the city OF Wheeling if they had a
chance. while BenwOOd and Marshall
county would be willing 10 see the
change made. The section named is
cut OF from BenwoOd proper by the
waste land al the mouth OF BOggs' run
and by the Riverside plant and prob
ably will never be continuous portion
OF Benwood while il is only divided
from Wheeling by FoTty-eighth street
Fulton. il is thought. will be glad 10
come into the city. After all the points
on this subject had been discussed. II
was laid aside and changes in the pres
ent municipal government were taken
up. On this the discussion naturally
took a rather wide range. but a soon
as the gentlemen got their bearings II
was developed that they we're unani-
nous as 20 the main points. and gen
eral plan was blocked out thus:
Mayor-To be elected by the people
and 10 be clothed with veto power on
legislation by Council. requiring two
thirds 10 pass any measure over his
objection. The Mayor 10 appoint the
Chief Of Police. Chief OF the Fire De
partment. subject TO the approval OF
Council. and such officials 10 be only
removed for cause.
COuncil-There was long discussion
as 70 whether the present system OF
two Branches should be retained. OF
both abolished. and a single body elect
ed. TWO from each Of ten wards. mem
bers to be elected for four years. and
half 10 go out Of Office each two years
as is nov the case with the First
Branch. This was left unsettled. Mem
bers TO receive pay. as the Board OF
Commissioners does now. The queS-
ton o. daylight or night sessions was
referred 10. but was not decided. COun-
Gil 70 elect one City Assessor. Clerks
of Markets. City Sexton and Weighers
Board Of ConrOl-To be elected by
the people. and 10 consist Of three
members. The first Board TO serve, one
for TWO years. one for four and one
for six. and thereafter one member &c
| be elected every two years TO serve fol
six years. so there viii always be two
experienced members Of the Board
/ This Board 10 have control Of gas, cleo
trio lights. water. public works or
streets. health and law. and 10 elect q
I City Surveyor. City Solicitor Health
Officer. Superintendent of Streets. Su-
/ perintendent OF the Water Works anC
/ Superintendent OF the Gas Works &c
/ be approved and confirmed by Council
Citv Clerk-TO be elected by tht
I people.
CITY Controller and AuditOr-To be-
elected by the people.
After mapping out matters thus far
! but in a very general way. the commit
tee adjourned until next Thursday
+ evening