Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-23
FREE BRIDGE IN THE
PRESENT CITY CAMPAIGN.

was the dear little free bridge resolu-
ton that went through with a whOOp.
Why this resolution? 1t is election
time. Several of the faithful laid their
heads together. Gigantic brains effer-
vesced with pent up genius.
What shall we do to still fool the
Islanders?" said one.
That's dead easy said another, 1--WE
will pass a free bridge resolution.
That's the stuff, they said, and
then rubbed their hands gleefully and
winked the other eye. Thus the little
resolution.
Some thought the Democrats neglect
ed this matter. But they did not.
Every person in the Seventh ward
knows that the Democratic candidates
are in favor of free bridge-and that
they will work necessarily for that OBJ
ject. But the record OF the present
Council would indicate that they cared
nothing about the matter-hence that
resolution was obligatory upon the Re-
publicanS; regarding the Democrats, it
was unnecessary.
But with all this, how uproarously
funny is this little resolution, coming
from the source it did. 1t was direct
Impeachment of the Island councilmen
who have occupied seats in Council for
so many years. 1t came with
poor taste, considering the fact the
Island delegation was there in full
force. 1t seems that it would have
been better for their past record to
have smothered it. By inference it
charges them with having done nothing
~, flxo nnot ND hn oh Of bn
resolution. Do you see, then, how thin
it is, and do you net see the object
of it?
Is this bridge question a new one?
Is the extortiopate tribute upon the
Seventh ward citizen-his goods-his
family-just of recent occurrence?
Certainly not. Then why have all the
opportunities Of the past been lost?
What have the Seventh ward council
men been doing all this time? Ask
them about it. This being election
time ask them about it and prepare to
hear something funny-hear the eX-
plantations that surpasseth understand
ing.
But they have done something. This
being election time, they reused them
DoclVGS-duu Wudt du dlOuSS tHcIS was,
yellow countrymen! The murmurs of
discomfort and long suffering impOsi
ton Jared their somnolent faculties
and they roused-rOused as the sleep
:, ing lion of the tribe CT Judah was
\ aroused. Then what? Think of it,
jAfter years of service Of untiring zeal
Syhey at last reached the crucial point
Npf asking the city solicitor for an opin
ion!
Did you ever read that opinion? In
lit tho city of Wheeling is completely
consolidated. 1t has no more capacity
to act in this question than wooden
Indian
From the Solicitors opinion we are
led to suppose that the city cannot
build a bridge-the city cannot buy
bridge-the city cannot pay toll to
bridge Before it would be able to do
these things it would probably be nee
essary to have legislative enactment
-'Then even it would be powerless be-
cause the constitution prohibits this
sort of legislation. Ergo, We must
change the State constitution! Think
Of it! We must amend the constitu-
ton of the State of West Virginia in
order that woman may go from the
Seventh ward to the Second ward
market house in the city Of Wheeling
FOR pound of sausage without being
obliged to pay unjust tribute there
or!
The Solicitors opinion is a confess
sion of the city's impotence. But all
attorneys do not think as our Solicitor
Nor do all our citizens. They recog-
nj o,to ty1o 70
eel that this city, like any city, has
he right to do and can do under its
harter, by implication, anything that
city, as a municipality, should do
But it is no purpose of ours to discuss
he Solicitors opinion. Let us again
eturn to the little free bridge resolu-
ion.
1t seems that the Seventh ward Re-
publican candidates for Council are
omewhat at sea and they want to
loaf ashore on this resolution. Very
we'll. Suppose they land all right.
The old and respected citizens-the
good Republican perhaps-who has
.ramped hundreds of miles over the
bridges and has paid out hundreds of
dollars for the privilege, says:
What about free passage to the
rest of the city now?" The member
Of Council smiles blandly and replies:
'Well-you see-that is-er-did you
see the Solicitors opinion? Sorry,
you know, but we cannot do a thing.
1t seems that everything is against
us-the municipal law-the State law
the constitution and the ten COM
mandments." The Island man looks
blue But cheer up old fellow" says
the Councilman, time cures all
things. You will not have to pay toll
more than fifteen or twenty years
more-a man can't live forever, you
know-and in that happy home be-
yond, there is no toll" This is the
cheering consolation the Seventh ward
citizen will get.
The Seventh ward Councilmen have
virtually confessed their inability to
meet the question or solve the prob
lem. What then? What do nations
do with m stry that is unable to
meet problem successfully or refuses
to meet it? 1t turns that ministry
down. How would you go about put
ting that idea into effect here? 1t is
very simple. You have kept these
people in Office for years and they have
done nothing upon this important
Question Turn thpO, ont and fry now