Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-15
M|LLGAN, Nlk|N I GO.
1893, 1140d 1142 N .RKET ST.

and suggest in the event of the estab-
lishment of the East Wheeling chem
ical, the old team could be used there.
CITY PRISON.
The building at present dignifed by
the name of 'workhouse is not only
a dire disgrace to the city, but is utter
ly and wholly untitled for the purpose;
a menace to the health of the commun-
ity, and travesty upon the purpose
for which it was designed. | regret that
more CT the members of the Council
have not considered it worth their
| while to pay visit to it. An investiga
ton will develop a state of affairs to
Which the greatest word painter would
fail to do ample justice. A building with
no semblance of ventilation or Sani
tary regulations, constructed entirely
OF wood, which is already in the last
| stages of decay, common room where
an average of twenty-five to forty men,
of all classes and conditions, are con-
gregated without ample sleeping accom-
modations, diseased men minglIng with
men who have only transgressed to the
extent Of common drunk, and are other
wise good citizens, gives but faint
idea of the actual condition. Under
such circumstances it is to be wondered
that the results from the city prison are
a nonenity, and that the existence of
the place is belittled not only by the
general public, but by the unfortunates
who are consigned to it.
OF all the urgent needs of the city
his seems to be paramount. With good
building equipped with cells, ventila-
ton, light and sanitary provision the
conditions would be so much bettered
as to admit Of the introduction Of some
show of discipline, a movement in the
| direction of regular employment for the
| inmates, and a consequent revenue, in
addition to making the serving Of SEN
tence salutary and lasting in its effect.
Probably the best employment for these
men is the ouarrying and mapping Of
limestone; the employment is to some
extent irksome, and the material very
much in demand for the improvement
of our streets. Taking the present To-
cation into consideration a brick build
| ing with iron or wooden truss roof to
contain fifty cells, built CT brick and ce
ment with provision for female prison
ers also, and so arranged with wide cor
ridors as to accommodate the tramps
!
taken care of in the basement of the
city building, could be built and equip
ped complete at not to exceed $4,000.
The ground on which the present prison
| stands is valuable for building pur-
poses, the continued blasting endangers
the new reservoir and it would seem
the part of prudence to select some site
better suited.
h,.in.t hull OF q nj VIZ Il
works site, now useless except for stab
ling and storage purposes, belonging
to the city, presents an ideal basis for
a city prison. Offering a building en-
tirely suited to the purpose, and one
which could be readily and speedily
transformed, the only changes neces-
sary being the razing of the brick stack,
the building of cells in which the brick
| from the stack could be used and some
| minor details which could be effected
at a small cost, besides giving early re-
| lief. The city owns sufficient ground
adjacent to this building to admit of
| stone breaking, and the proximity OF
railroad facilities would make the re-
CENT of delivery of stone an easy mat
| ter.
| DEPARTMENT OF CHARITIES.
|
for the care of INDECENT persons, the
| executive department of the city nave
| freouent calls for relief, and although
| there are many charitable persons ana
| societies within the city, their charity
| is to a very great exent misapplled,
| and taken advantage of sometimes to
the detriment of the worthy poor. In
| conversation with a gentleman inter-
| ~, nd
| extended experience in this work in
other cities, he suggested the plan or
| combining all the local charitable So
| cieties. establishing a headquarters In
the City Building, where record could
| be kept of all persons receiving aid and
where persons in need could come for
relief. The idea commends itself for
i the reason that it would place all the
charitable organizations, the Board OF
| Commissioners and the city executive
! departments in close touch. l would
| suggest some action looking to the pro-
| vision of headquarters and an invi-
| tation extended the various societies
| to formulate and put in operation such
! a plan as may to them seem proper.
SEVENTH WARD TOLL.
1.-The question of the imposition of a
| toll charge for the passage of residents
| of the Island and other citizens from
| one ward of the city to another has
taken definite shape by the passage OF
! a bill in the last Legislature empower
| ing the city to purchase the bridges OF
| make an agreement for free foot pas
| sage. The bill provides for the sub
mission of the question to the vote OF
+, the people.
The population of the Island IS ap-
| proximately 5000, and as nearly as it is
possible to compute the value Of the
| property owned by its resideTts 1t rep
resents about one-siXth of the total
valuation of the city for the purposes
| of taxation. Upon this basis It seems
| the residents OF the Seventh ward have
a we'll grounded claim to the consider
alton of the voters of Wheeling. having
| cheerfully and unselishly contributed
] to the various improvements Of the city
! in a larger ratio than any of the other
wards. while patiently bearing a bur-
| den themselves which they felt to be
entirely unjust, yet trusting to the
| sense of justice of their fellow citizens
| to in time remove the harship.
/ ORDINANCE BOOK.
| Il desire to urge upon you the ne
| cessity of prompt action in the matter