Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-01-23

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all these lines indicated will be done
In a systematic manner, so as to give
strangers within the gates the impress
sion of an orderly city, and one that
seeks through its head the safety of
the people.
The ideal mayor will execute exist
ing laws.
Nehemiah did this. Tobiah, one of
the Ammorites who had been for
hidden by God to dwell among the
Jews, had a chamber in the court Of
Gods house. This alliance was a viola
ton Of law. Nehemiah did not wink
at this and say: "I1l not disturb this
alliance; let me have a peaceful reign"
But he elected Tobiah. To-day there
are alliances in our cities that violate
the law. Too many mayors wink at
them and have not the courage to eject
the disturbing Tobiahs.
Nehemiah also found many peo-
pie who were illegally married to the
heather. While not able to break this
up, he avoided its repetition in the
future. While mayors to-day have not
this prerogative, yet they might open
their eyes and see even worse things
going on with which they might deal.
Men and women are not married, yet
living together as husband and wife.
The Levites had been driven out
and some of them, of their own &C
cord, were not in their proper places.
These people had a peculiar mission.
Not in their place, the prosperity of
the city was not Nehemiah re-
stored all these Levites to their posi-
tons. He found the people violating
the day of rest-the Jewish Sabbath.
Did he allow this violation to con-
tinue? No.; but he at once restored
the Sabbath observance with all it's
sa~credness.
In this age we have the Lords day
for rest from secular labor and pleas
ure, and for religious worship and SER
vice. The civil and divine laws both
forbid it's dissertation. The divine law
shows the consequences of it's violation
and offers to nan the blessings of it's
proper observance. The civil law for
bids it's dissertation and ~enjoins upon
mayors the duty of the proper enforce
ment of all laws relating to the Lords
day. Six days are sufficient for labor.
Yet hundreds of people in our cities
are working on the first day of the
week. Civil law ferbids this. The
ideal mayor will look into this and
enforce the law to the best of his
ability.
Liquor selling on the Lords day. A
common thing to see men entering
saloons. What business have they
there on the rest day? Why are so
many seen drunk on the streets? 1t
does not require a very close observer
to see this condition ever in Wheeling.
The ideal mayor will investigate and
enforce the law.
Places of business open on the Lords
day. Why? Are not six days suffi-
cient? "The love of money is the root
of all evil" Selfish greed rules too
many business men. 1t deprives them
of true pleasure here and robs them Of
the hope Of the hereafter. But the
ideal mayor must do his duties. He
law. lit is not what the other men
may Or may not do, but what will he
do. He is responsible for his own
action, and is accountable to God as
well as to his fellow men for his 10y
atty, or lack of it, to the trust reposed
in him. One says, it is difficult to en-
force. True. But does the average city
mayor make the attempt? Is he free
from the blood of all men? If so, is he
the ideal mayor?
In this connection I wish to call at
tention to the relation of citizens to
tn ideal mayor. We have a part to
perform. No man can do his duty as
mayor without the support and in
fiuence of citizens in executing the
laws even after good men and we'll
qualified fail as officials because the
people fail to do their part. Every citi-
zen should be vigilant and report
every case of violation, and he has
not lone his full duty as a citizen I'M
til he has done this much at least.
Less talk and more action on the part
of citizens would solve many municipal
problems that seem to puzzle the
people.
The ideal mayor will be a man
whose personal character is good and
above reproach.
Nehemiah was Cody. He was a man
that had a conscience. He feared God
and loved to do His will. The ideal
mayor will be Cody at all times.
Ajax seemed devout toward God so
long as nothing was required Of him
contrary to his affections. But when
he was commanded to spare Ulysses,
he said. "T0 other things T will nhev