The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-08-15
THE NEW CHARTER
Discussed by the General Charter
Committee Last Night.
SEVERAL FEATURES OF WORK
or the SUBJ Committee were Subjected To
Crl,lclsm- Sentiment In Favor Of Giv-
ing the CITY More Of tho benefits Accrue
Ing from city Franchise CcntrniiIn-
ton Or Power oppo'ei - Rough Draft of
tho Charter smhm tilted but Not Changed,

Last night IN the chamber OF Part |
OF the city council the general commit
tee on the new city charter held n we'll
attended meeting, members being pres
ont representing the FIRST and second
branches OF council, the builders ex-
change. trades assembly and chamber
OF commerce. The rough draft OF that
portion OF the new charter already act
ed upon by the subcommittee was read
By Attorney ErskInc and discussed and
criticised. but not changed at last
nights meeting.
The general committee was called to
order at S O'Clock. Colonel O'prlCn
was called to the chair, or the commit
tee. the following members were pres
ent: Colonel ], 4. Miller, Colonel
Thomas O'Brlcn, W. j. Bodley, John
Waterhousc, a. II. Campbell, n. c..
liamilton,C Charles EhclInE. ~. +. Tlghc.
Ncrnnrd kleiris. and Attorney William
Ersl;'nc. On the arrival OF DIR. lia2lett,
chairman OF the committee, Colonel
oBrien relIn1IiShcd occupancy of the.
chair.
Clerk HennlnE. or the committee read
the minutes OF the last preceding meet
Ing, held March 10. They were APP
proved rs read.
DR.. Ha2lGtt then announced that the
subcommittee would present n synOp-
sls or what had been done In the last
four months. Chairman Miller said the
subcommittee had completed a rough
draft OF the charter. but all OF II was
not yet ready for presentation. There
would no doubt be objections to some
features. but those who object should
be ready TO propose a substitute for
what they. object to.
The charter was then read by Mr.,
Erskine. 1t 0ucns with n description Of
the boundaries OF the city, whEh are
unchanged.
AT this point there was a discussion
as to mode OF procedure. MIR. 'righe
IaForcd having the charter printed and
attributed among the members for pcr-
usal and digestion. The trades assem-
bly, delegates. he said, are not posing
as obstructionists. Such an Impression
had been circulated.
Colonel O'Bricn suggested that the
charter be read In It's entirety before
there Is any discussion. Mr.. ErSkInr
SAID the charter was not yet in shape
Tor printing. So many changes are
sure 10 be made that'it will be better to
print the charter after the general COM
mittGe has acted.
Colonel O'Brien objected to the re-
moval OF city officials by council with
out cause. 1t was called 10 Colonel
o'Br!cn's attention by Colonel Miller
that he was doing Just what he had
objected 10 4 few minutes hefOre-inter-
runting the reading OF the charter.
II was suggested 10 include slot ma
chi7es" In the provision for charging
license Tor various other machines.
Caldwelfs run was included in the
streams over which the city shall have
authority 10 regulate the building ot
bridges, abltments and other obstruc-
tions.
When the clause relating to
o OF crime WAS read. Colonel
OBr'en called attention 10 the infer
nal system Of ~blackmaIlinG' worked
by certain justices, crime being punish
e1. ny the county after the city has
fined and otherwise punished to the full
extent OF the law. This, lie said. lS
prac;iced merely Tor the revenue that
Is derived by justices and constablcs.
Colonel O'Brien had served on grand
Juries. n in that capacity had seen
the present system work in all its UNI
d~esirab!llty. The city. he claimed,
hould have exclusive Jurisdiction. 4
MAJ WI" has been punished In n city
court should not be again punished bv
a petty mountaineering Justice.
The reading OF the provision regard
Ing the selection OF officers was listened
to with interest. particularly by the
trades assembly members OF the COM
Inittee who object to the selection OF
the chiefs Of police and fire depart
nents by the proposed city board of
public safety.
A discussion regarding the drposItinE
or city money brought out the fact that
the treasurer Is 60 deposit all monies
In one fund. and the OF the
treasurer are to cover the several de-
partments.
The city clerk is to be succeeded by
an auditor who is not required to at
e council meetings. He will audit
the OF the several city depart
ments.
When the matter of franchises was
reached. Colonel O'Bricn wanted fur
Their Information regarding the two
street railway companies. The fran
chise Of one Of these companies, the
Citizens, isfSooH 10 expire. The fran
ch'sc OF the other. the Wheeling, Is
perpetual. Colonel O'Brirn said the
franchises OF the two are worth 500. 900
or 100000. The city should get hold
OF as mnch Of this as possible. Colonel
Miller said the loose way In which fran
chiscs have been granted In Wheeling
has cheated the city out OF hundreds
OF thousands OF dollars.
Yes. Millions" said Colonel O'Rrlen.
Mr.. ErSkine said 1t might be supposed
that his position would he embarrass-
inS,as he vas president Of one OF the
street railway companies and n hircc-
tor In the other. Yet. as attorney for
the committee. he would ac. entirely
for the interests of the people. In draw
Ing up the present charter he said he
had had no though OF his connection
with the " corporations.
Colonel O'BriCn paid Mr.. ErSk!nc n
high tribute and said he had had no
Intention to Intimate anything !rrcgu-
lar on the part Of the gentleman. lie
feit 1t his duty - bring up the matter
OF the railway C0%mpany'S franchise for
the reason that were Il to expire now
he could sell It for 800. 900.
"And then some" said Colonel Miller.
Colonel Miller added hts testimony to
the ability Of Mr.. Erskine and his en-
tire honesty In his connection with the
city charter committee. SO
MIR. TiEhc wanted to know II pcrpct-
ual grants would con under tho pro.
visions Of the new charter. Mr.. ErskInc
gave 1t as his opinion that perpetual
franchises cannot lie rcscindrd under
the present laws Of the country.
The civil service feature of the char
ter was next taken up. It is to provide
for commissioners who shall examine
all candidates for positions IN the nit
Of the Scvera! city departments. This