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

minutes and then there was painful
silence 1t was broken by the Rev. Mr..
Clarke, who stated that e had no Cd.
lection to the newspaper representatives,
remaining.
Chief Clemans stated that he was
probably to blame, as he had invited
representatives OF the press. DR.. Sooy
wanted all the papers represented IL
reporters were to be admitted Dr.
Sooy stated after the meeting to Reg
lister reporter that some members Of
the committee feared that only certain
newspaper men had been extended an
invitation.
After the remark of Mr.. Clarke the
matter was dropped and the reporters
were allowed to remain.
The Rev. Dr.. Cunningham was the
first spokesman for the committee. His
remarks were very brief. He mention
ed the length Of his pastorate of the
First Church, stated that he knew the
Mayors father and grandfather, and
that the Chief had sung in his choir. He
therefore felt that ne had personal
acquaintance with the Mayor and Chief,
and he felt no hesltancy in introducing
q subject which had for its object the
moral well-belng of the city.
DR.. Sooy, as chairman of the commit
tee, then read the written statement Of
the ministers accompanying the petit
tons. 1t reclted the fact that 1t had
been learned that gambling in various
forms prevails in the community.
Among the forms Of gambling is the
slot machine. He read the city ordi
nance against the maintenance and
operation OF slot machines, and pro-
viding punishment for its violation. 1t
had been ascertained by an examina
tion of police records that forty-one
machines had been raided The re-
mainder of the document was an APP
peal for the enforcement Of the ordi
nance.
THE PETITIONS.
Dr. Sooy then handed to Mayor Swee-
ney the petitions of citizens, stating
that there were between 100 and 1900
signatures.
Mayor Sweeney expressed his pleas
ure in meeting the committee, stating
that they were received in the same
spirit in which they came. He added
that there were two sides to every ques-
ton, and inasmuch as nothing he might
promised to give the committee a writ
ten reply within q few days.
Chief Clemans merely stated that the
Mayor had expressed his views. DR..
Sooy left the petition, but took with
him the accompanying statement. Later
he said it was his intention to await the
reply Of the Mayor and Chief, and to
have both documents published side by
side.
The petition is in thirteen sections,
each representing the work Of one cler-
gyman in portion of the city block
cd OF and assigned to him. The minis
ters continued their work on Monday,
and until noon yesterday. The total
number of signatures is 1,019. Some Of
The petitions are more numerously sign
ed than others The signers are men
only.
When DR.. Sooy presented the petition
he stated that great many persons had
affixed their signatures with the under
standing that names would
NOT BE PUBLISHED
in the newspapers. The Mayor and
Chief respected the wishes of the cler-
gymen and declined to permit the re-
porters to copy the list for publication.
Each petition has the following type
written he.d:
ITO the Honorable Mayor and Chief of
Police of the City of Wheeling:
"We the undersigned citizens of said
city respectfully petition you to enforce
the law for the suppression OF ell slot
machines in our city, and to take meas
ures forthwith for granting the prayer
Of this petition, and we hereby pledge
our hearty cooperation and support in
enforcing the said law"
During the day it was learned that
Dr. Sooy called up the City Clerk Mon
day evening and asked him to furnish
list OF saloon keepers. time of grant
ing license, etc. The Clerk offered to
place the documents at his disposal,
but stated that he declined to devote
his time, which belongs 10 the city, to
searching the records for the informa-
ton desired.