Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-01-15

For a good while back members Of
Council have been discussing the ques-
ton Of new charter for the city, and
some Of the features Of the proposed new
fundamental law have been referred to
in the Register from time to time, dur
ing the past few months.
The subject is not a new one. For a
considerable number Of years it mas
been a fruitful matter for newspaper
and private discussion, and two or three
times efforts have been made in Coun-
ell to take a tangible step in the direc-
tion of asking the Legislature to aid
the city in renovating the present meth
Cd of local government. but for variety
of reasons nothing has ever come of
these attempts. One Of the main OBJ
slcles has been the fact that the Leg
isla-ure of the State cOnvenes about the
time an old Council, which knows the
needs Of the city. goes out of power
Members Of Council are elected in Janu-
y 2
the discharge of their duties. as green
hands. while a session Of the Legisla-
ture is going on at Charleston They
know nothing of what is desirable or
proper in the way Of city legislation. and
long before they find out the Legisla-
Jure has adjourned and gone home
When, after a year and a half, or So
Councilman begin to have well-defned
ideas about what the city should have
i'm the way of modern charter rights,
they are confronted with the fact that
their term of Office is about over. and
that it is useless to do anything. a new
Legislature comes in as the old COun-
ell goes out. ard 50 10 goes. with moth
ing ever accomplished.
This time it is proposed TO start the
movement, year before the expiration
of the COuncilmanic term and the same
time before the Legislature cOnvenes.
and it is the idea to take abundant time
and wise counsel. to ascertain just about
what should be asked for. and then to
appoint q commission of the present
Council, after the style of the Electric
Light Commission. the members of
which shall hold Office after the eXpira-
ton Of their terms as Councilmen. with
such power as may be delegated to
them. 70 see that the city obtains from
the Legislature just what is wanted
reporting TO the Council to be elected
in January, 1891 the result Of their
work
To this end a resolution. drawn up by
Mr.. Hamilton. after consultation with a
number of members. was offered in the
Second Branch. last evening, by Mr.
Campbell. constituting a special COM
mittee Of eight. to be selected jointly
from the two Branches. and one from
each ward which is to sit with a COM
mittee of eight citizens. 10 be appointed
by the Mayor. two from the Chamber
of Commerce. two from the Trades AS
scmbly. two from the Builders EX-
change. and two citizens not identified
with either Of these bodies, to consider
the whole matter and formulate gen.
orally an idea of jus, about what the
city ought to ask for. Il is stated in
the resolution that the body is to be
made MP without regard 10 politics. and
the idea is that after a report shall
have been made 90 Council and has
been approved by that body. that a per-
manent Commission shall be named 10
see that the same is carried into eff
feet
The resolution thus offered was
adopted. last evening. and President
Maxwell. on the part of the Second
Branch. named as such Committee
Nessrs. Campbell, Hamilton, Bodley
and Waterhouse. The Mayor has not
vet appointed the First Branch men,
bers. but viii doubtless do so to-day,
as well as the eight members outside Of
Council.
Ii is needless TO say that this matter
rs q very important one. and the fact
that q start has been made in the di-
rection of a new charter will excite
lively interest among all classes Of citl-
ZenS.
--O