Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-18
there unloaded and broken By
he inmates Of the proposed work.

building, there unloaded and broken by
the inmates Of the proposed work
house: Now, q little investigation as
to the price Of broken stone will con-
vince anyone that the city can con-
tract to have broken stone delivered
and spread upon it's streets for what
it would cost it to have the stone de-
livered to the proposed workhouse.
But why waste time in discussing
cost, for it seems that in this proposed
workhouse scheme such small thing
as cost is not taken into consideration.
For if the subject is given the time and
attention requisite to solve the ques-
ton of lettering the condition of the
unfortunates sentenced from Police
Court for trivial offenses, aud of
guarding the interests of the city at
the same time, then it will be looked
at from the standpoint OF business
men; namely, how to secure the best
results with the least expenditure, and
while doing so earnestly consider the
advisability of sending city prisoners
to Jail, where they could be closely
confined or put to work as might seem
best Or in harmony with the project
of building a workhouse, let them be
taken each work day from the jail
to the site of the present workhouse,
tear it down, clear away the rubbish,
and then give a practical illustration
of the benefits of workhouse for such
prisoners by building one with thai
sort of labor, assisted and directed by
skilled workmen.
There is plenty of land for the pur-
pose owned by the city where the
present workhouse is located, and an
abundance of stone that could be quar-
ried and put into a substantial build
ing fitted for a workhouse. Or let the
prisoners confined in Jail be worked on
the hill between Tenth street and the
National road grading the hill in such
a way as to continue the streets from
Tenth street to the National road, thus
opening up large amount of property
suitable for homes of people of mod
crate means in the heart of the city
with a pleasant and healthful location.
The fact is that most prisoners tried
and sentenced from Police Court are
in no condition to work successfully
during a short period of confinement,
as they are usually in bad physical
condition, and if humanity is to enter
into the consideration of the question,
they should be treated in such a man
ner as would aid in their reformation.
AS it now is, they are taken from Po-
lice Court to a so-called prison that
would drive a sober man into delirlum
tremens. There they are huddled to-
gether in small, badly ventilated
room, unsuitable for improvement of
either their health or morals.
One of the bright ideas that accompany
the scheme of making a stone breaker out
of the old pumping station profitable in
that proposition, is to compel the people
who do any work on the streets to pur-
chase broken stone from the city. Bet
ter stone could be purchased much cheap
er, yet the persons paying for them are
compelled to buy from the city.
The fact is that the city of Wheeling
has not now. nor never has needed
workhouse, as the Jail building is more
than ample to accommodate twice as
many prisoners as the city now
sends to the workhouse, and the cost to
the city in keeping them in Jail would not
be near so much as it costs to maintain
a workhouse. without taking into consid-
GRAFTON the cost of constructing one This
effort to spend the eity's money goes on
while the Gas Board asks for relief, so as
to be put in situation to conduct its af-
fairs in business-like manner. It's labor
ers asking for increased wages. The
chief of police complains of insufficient
force. The streets and alleys needing i'm
provements and repairs. and one-eighth of
our citizens ask for free access to all parts
of the city. All of these things require
money to be remedied. Yet it is intended
to fasten this useless burden Of a work
house upon the city. OBSERVER.
Wheeling, March II.