Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-06

Tie clergymen who have been circu-
1ating the anti-slot machine petitions
formally presented their papers to May
or Andrew T. Sweeney and Chief of
Police VIM. NJ. Clemans last night.
There was a little group OF Council
men, saloon keepers and others in the
corridor and in the Offices in the City
Building, some interested in the anti
slot machine crusade and others at
tracted by curiosity. The conference
was held in the Office Of Mayor Swee-
ney, and when it was concluded, Coun-
cilmen, city officials and others filed in
to the Office Of the Mayor and closely
scanned the signatures affixed to the
petitions.
The committee of clergymen arrived
at the appointed time, and found the
Chief and Mayor awaiting them. The
committee was composed of the follow
ing named ministers: D. A. Cunning
ham, D. D., First Presbyterian Church;
j. L. Sooy, D. D., Fourth Street NJ. E.;
j. II. Littell, United Presbyterian; Jos.
Speers, Second Presbyterian; R. R. Big
ger, Third Presbyterian; c. NJ. Oil
plant, First Christian; M. W. Buck,
First Baptist; C. B. Graham, North
Street NJ. E.; Gregory Bleakly, Wesley
M. E.; w. j. Hardness, Phi. D., Chap
line Street Nj. f.; C. z. Clarke, Thorn
son NJ E.; Samuel Schwarm, First
English Lutheran; j. w Waters. Si1np-
son NJ E.
OBJECTED TO REPORTERS.
There was a little squabble before the
opening Of the meeting over the ques
ton Of admitting representatives Of the
press at the conference. 1t was precipi-
tated by the presence in the Mayors
Office of the correspondent for an out
Df-town publication, the local reporters
dropping in a few minutes later.
The clergymen objected to the pres
ence of reporters, alleging that 1t was
their understanding that it was to be
private conference between the Mayor
and Chief. and committee represent
ing the federation Of churches. The
Mayor and Chief combatted this posi-
ton. The Mayor made statement, in
which he asserted that he had nothing
to conceal from the public, adding that
the Mayor and Chief are the puiblic's
servants, and the public therefore has
right to know what is going on.
The Mayor called attention to the fact
that he and the Chief had said nothing,
while there had been a great deal in the
newspapers from the other side. One
clergyman in particular had made state
ments which were without foundation
In fact, and which to say the least, were
not evidence of good judgment.
MAYOR CRITICISES.
1t was suggested on the part of the
committee that the newspaper publica-
tons to which the Mayor referred were
simply reports of meetings.
The Mayor replied that he had refer
ence to a card published over the sig
nature of the Rev. Mr.. Schwarm.
Mr.. Schwarm took the floor and made
a statement in his own behalf that he
had no personal knowledge of the evils
he wrote about, but he had been as
cured by excellent authority that they
Sere true.
A peculiar fact developed with refer
ence to the publication Of which the
Mayor complained. 1t was written by
Mr.. Sehwarm and sent to local paper,
but the paper held it and published it
in its Sunday issue. Several OF the
ministers gave as the reason they over
looked 1t that they did not read Sun
day newspapers.
DR.. Sooy objected to the presence of
reporters and Mr.. Littell made an ad-
dress in which he characterized as pre-
sumptous the effort Of the reporters to
force their way into the conference.
REPORTERS REMAIN.
Tho diccuccioO continued fnr Gov,