The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-15
MESSAGE.
Continued From Second Page.

value OF the gas furnished the depart
5ments last year on basis OF so cents
per thousand was $780, co or more than
4 sufficient TO make up the estimated de-
felt for this year. The old overdraft
of the board. amounting TO $500, should
also be provided for; 1t now carries
rate Of Interest Of per cent and being
an old. matter demands attention.
FIRD DEPARTMENT.
This; department Is in, tho best posi-
/. bic condition. theteQuIpmcnt and build
irgs being in good repair, the horses
efficient and eliminating the factor of
accident there will be no extraordinary
expenditures required for the actual
needstof the department. MS 1t now ex-
lists. 1
For several years there has been
demand for some fire protection to- the
property in the extreme eastern portion
OF the city: the necessity for some such
provision is urgent. the district being
remote from the engine houses as ut
present. located and the character ofsthe
buildings OF the most innammable
type. being for the most part small
frames. A. chemical apparatus the
most efficient for the duty could BE In
stalled In n house OF moderate cost, and
z 1 hope 1t mag be your pleasure 10 pro-
vide the equipment.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
No branch of city government de-
serves more attention titan that to
which Is entrusted the care Of the lives
and property Of It's citizens. For the
size OF its force this city will. think,
compare favorably with any in the
country, hut as in all business matters
modern methods must be adopted II we
would attain the best, results. The
best results have been achieved where
there was a provision for gymnasium
exercise, the training iniparting to the
men vim which made them doubiy
vig!lant and effective The present po-
lice court room could be sub-divided
Qeaving ample room for the conduct of
the COURT, and at smHil cost equipped
with bath and the necessary gym
nastic appliances and would. feel sure,
be money well, expended There Is n
side TO the conduct Of police affairs OF a
city often overlooked and particularly
SO In this city. / refe: 10 the maInte-
nance Of a common lookup where wo-
men and often young children, are in
carcerated with the worst class, for 1t
must be borne ir. mind that 1t IL some
times necessary 10 place persons who
are not Of the criminal class under re-
straint. To provide for this 7 would
recommend that provision be made for
the erection, OF, say. four cells IN the
room In the rear of the lookup keepers
office.
The horses at present used In the pa
troll wagon and ambulance were origi-
nally trained and used by the fire de-
partinent; they are entirely untitled for
the present duty, having never forgot.
ten their training. and upon an alarm
being sounded 1t Is almost impossible to
control Them even with the most Sc
we're bit they have run away on several
occasions. and aside from their unfit
Dess TO haul sick and wounded persons
may subject the city to heavy loss. ]
urge the purchase OF suitable team
and suggest in the event of the estab-
llshment Of the East Wheeling chemical
the old team could be used there.
CITY PRISON.
The building at present dign!fied by
the name OF 'worlshouse." is not only
dire disgrace to the city, but is utterly
and wholly untitled for the purpose;
menace to the health OF the community
which It was designed. ! regret that
more OF the members Of council have
not considered 1t worth their while to
PAY visit to it: an investigation will
develop state Of affairs to~which the
greatest word painter would fail TO do
ample justice. a building with no SEM
blance OF ventilation or sanitary regu-
Iations. constructed entirely OF wood,
which Is already in the last stages of
decay. a common room where an aver
age of twenty-five to forty men OF all
classes and conditions are congregat ted,
without ample sleeping accommoda-
tions, diseased men minEllng with men
who have only transgressed. to the ex-
tent OF a common drunk and are other
wise good citizens, gives but Il faint
idea OF the actual condition. Under
such circumstances is 1t to be wondered
that the results from the city prison are
a ronentlty and that the existence OF
the place Is beittled not only by the
general public. but by the unfortunates
who are consigned to It.
OF all the urgent needs OF the city
this seems to be paramount. With q
good building equipped with cells ven
tilation, light and sanitary provisions
the conditions would be SO much better
ed as to admit OF the Introduction OF
some show of discipline, 4 movement in
the, direction OF regular employment for
the inmates and consequent revenue,
In addition TO making the serving OF 4
sentence salutary and lasting In it's eff
feet. Probably the best employment
for these men Is the GHarrying and
mapping of limestone; the employment
Is to some extent irksdme. and the ma
terial very much In demand for the
Improvement Of our streets. Taking tho
present location into, consideration. n
brick building with iron or wooden truss
roof to contain fifty cells built of brick
and cement. with provision for female
prisoners also. and so. arranged with
vide corridors as to accommodate the
trampS which now in cold weather
have TO be taken care OF In the base
ment of the city building could be built
and equipped complete at not to ex-
.