Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-06-14

regarding matters that are of mutual
concern and benefit.
BY way of explanation TO you (1or
whom I have the greatest respect, and
with whom all of my correspondence
and associations have been of the most
n,easant character), I will say, in the
frs place. as you very well know, that
what we propose to do in the matter,
was a gratuity on the part of this COM
many. and not because of any compul-
sion of law. and was proposed in the
utmost good faith. In pursuance OF this
policy. as soon as an amicable under
standing had been reached between us,
Of what was desired, we set about in
a bona fde performance of everything
that was told you we would do.
You very we'll remember, that as an
accommodation, we gave you the use OF
our right-of-way for a street, until such
time as your authorities could proceed
10 acquire such. either by purchase or
condemnation.
You also know that We set about
the work Of the construction of the
large culvert (Which was the heavier
and most important part of the work.
and completed it as soon as the weather
would permit it being completed
There was a portion Of the time,
when. on account of the frost, we had
TO suspend work. but as soon as it was
thawed out to justify the beginning
of the work again, the full force was
put on and it was pushed to compile
ton.
You also know. that on account OF
the excessive rains, up to this time the
ground has been in no condition to
handle material for the purpose of max
ing fills.
You will also remember, that during
the fall. when we could have done
some of the work, and were ready 60
begin it. that we were unable to pro-
coed with it. from the fact that you
had not acquired your right-of-way,
and we we're delayed by you and not
by ourselves. until the winter had set
in. Otherwise. we might have had the
fill completed, or nearly so, before the
winter came on. We could not make
the fill of the trestle on our own land,
for the reason that the city was occu-
pying our right-of-way, under a per
sonai favor that was granted you.
Within the last week or 80, when it
began TO look as though we might have
some settled weather, we were hurry
ing forward all of our arrangements TO
renew the work, and had made arrange
ments with Mr.. Ephriam Wells, prior
TO his departure for Europe, to get the
material from his land in close prox-
unity. as that was peculiarly adapted
TO this work. and better than we could
get elsewhere. had issued instructions
to the Maintenance Of Way Department
to make their arrangements to begin
Immediately. Orders had been issued
TO the steam shovels working on the
south end of the road. renewing and
overcoming the devastation wrought by
the high water, in the latter part Of
February. and which was being left
in a somewhat incomplete state, to get
to your work. Within four or five days,
or a week at the utmost, we would have
been at work.
As a further instance Of our good
faith. would call your attention to the
fact that we put in an abutment, so as
to have it ready to fill against.
In view of these facts, which you can
readily verify, if you do not know them
from your personal knowledge, you can
very we'll understand my surprise and
modification, upon receiving the letter
that have referred to.
Now. will say to you, more in
spirit of sorrow than of anger that my
self-respect and the consciousness Of
right doing, prompts me to the position
that l now propose TO take. I can
hardly think. in view of the pleasant
relations that have existed between us,
and the good opinion l have of you
and the members of your City Council,
that they authorized any such language
20 be used in the communication re-
ferred 10. Until I know better, will
al least he charitable enough to think
they did not: but as it has come to me
IS an official communication from the
CITY Solicitor. who says he has been
instructed Thy resolution from the
Council. l will now say, and say with
emphasis. that I will proceed no fur
Their. nor take one step in the direction
of making that gratuitous improve
ment until the Council has disavowei
the tone and the language of the COM
municaticn. or cancelled the same with
an apology to me.
I am not saying this under hosty
impulse. but am saying it in calm
Glspassionaie manner, that will convey
to YOU my purpose to viniicate both
the dignity of myself. and of the COM
pany which represent.