Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-03-21
some PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
Symptoms of a Clash Over the Pro-
posed New WOrkhOuSe.


Against the Members OF the Ola
Board Of Public Works-Other
City Business Up for Action.
There are decided indications Of clash
over the question of how TO provide ior
vags. DRINKS and other unfortunates who
are sentenced to imprisonment by the
Police Court Of the city.
Two rival factions have cropped out
One, headed by His Homer Mayor Butts
is determined that a new work mousse
shall be built, and are laying their plans
to that end with a good deal or CONF
dence. If current rumor and report can
be believed; the other, headed by Chair
man Horllheimer, of the Finance Commit
Tee. having economy and dollars and
cents in view, is opposed to putting
number of thousands Of dollars into
new prison if the prisoners can be kept IN
iail as cheap or cheaper than the cost oil
the present arrangement, and they are
backed up in their position by the state
ment Of the Sheriff at Friday evening
session of the Police Committee, that he
is satisfied he can save the city from SOU
to $1,000 per annum. Both sides to the
controversy are !ntimating mean things
about the others, and some of the rumors
are somewhat of d sensational order.
Meanwhile, arrangements are going on
for the contamination of both PROPOSE
tons. and it is pretty certain there is the
Hveliest sort Of a fight ahead. In the FL
nance Committee, it is pretty well UNDER
stood that there will be no money avail
D. rfra
and if the Sherins forthcoming exhibit
will SHOW a saving to the city. the lol-
lowers and hackers of Mr. Horkheimer
will likely carry the day, at least 10 the
extent of blocking a new building. They
can scarcely put the jail plan into opera
ton at present, however for the reason
that the staff Of officials at the city
nrison have been elected by Council TO
serve for two years, and have qualified
and given bond, where bond is required.
THE STREET LIGHTING PROBLEM.
The Council Committee on Lights held
a brief and informal session, last evening
called for the purpose of acting upon
petition for an arc light at Wetzel and
Forthwith streets. Mayor Butts was
present. and in the course Of the discus
sion, he asked:
How much gas is burned in that To-
cality?"
He was answered to the effect that
there were no gas consumers in the i'm
mediate neighborhood.
And yet" said His Honor, they want
a street light, the cost OF which is wholly
Maid bv gas consumers. The thing is all
wrong. Consumers Of city gas defray the
entire expenses of operating the city cleo
trio light plant and OF lighting the streets
and vet people who use oil lamps or have
private electric plants Of their own or puy
electric lighting from Company, eN-
uect the gas consumers to foot the bill OF
giving them light on the streets. IL lacks
every element of business and fairness
and it ought to be stopped. The cost Oh
lighting the streets should be paid out Of
the city taxes, and then every one would
bear his share of the burden.
'Why didn't you advocate that while
YOU were i'm Council?" mildly asked Coun-
Gilman Hahne You had every chance to
try to make this matter right
Because it is the place of the Second
Branch members to initiate that sort OF
thing. Send it over to the First Branch,
and we will take care of it,"
And why didn't YOU make the recon-
mendation i'm your annual MESSAGE
again queried Mr. Hahno. you knew all
about it, Send in q special message and
start the thing"
YES. and the Second Braich people
know all about it. You offer a resolution in
Council. If the Councilmen want me to do
the whole thing, just get out of the way
and stay away and I'll run it,"
Proceeding. the Mayor SAID that If Coun-
ell had purchased The plant of the Wheel
ing Electrical Company, years ago, as
he wanted done, the gas works would
have been in good shape. As it was now,
o. large number of people did not use gas
and private electric light plants and the
business of the Electric Company was
steadily eating its way into the income
of the gas works, and IN 1--WE years the
city works would run ashore. He urged
that the thing TO do was to lcvy tax for
the cost of lighting the streets and make
every taxpayer bear his portion of the
burden. and not have It fail upon a con-
tinuaIly decreasing number Of city gas
consumers.
The matter was talked over at consider
able length, but Lo conclusion was
reached