The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-12-06

Objections to the presence OF repor-
tiers formed the feature Of the confer
ence last night, at the mayors office,
city building, OF delegation OF minis
tiers with Mayor Sweeney and Chief
clemans. relative to the anti-slot ma
chine crusade. Several of the minis
ters protested against the admission OF
the newspaper men, and the discussion
on this point consumed much Of the
time OF the comparatively brief meeting.
The scrlbes were finally allowed to re-
main.
The details transacted consisted IN
the presentation TO the mayor and chief
of police OF a petition against the ma
chimes and the announcement by Mayor
Sweeney and Captain Clemans that
their reply to the ministers would pc
presented in few days There were
about 1000 signatures to the petition
but the names were withheld from pub
llcation at DR.. SOoy'S request, he stat
ing that many had signed with thar
understanding.
The following ministers were present:
Rev. D. A. Cunningham, D. D., First
Presbyterian; Joseph Speers, Second
Presbyterian; r, R. Bigger, Third Pres
byterlnn; C. NJ. ollphant, First Chris
tlan; NJ. w. Buck, First Baptist; J. H.
Llttell. First United Presbyterian; J. l..
Sooy, D. D., Fourth Street Methodist
w. J. Harkness, Chapllne Street n. T.;
Gregory Blakely, Wesley NJ. e.; G. =.
Clark, Thomson NJ D.; Samuel
Schwarm, English Lutheran; j. w. Wa
tnrs SimDSOn Nj o. church,
The conference began at 1890 o'clock.
and was over half an hour later. The
ministers came in q body, and were re-
ceIyed by the mayor and chief OF police,
as per appointment. During the infor-
NAL preliminary discussion as to the ad-
mission OF reporters. Mayor Sweeney
took occasion to say that the newspa-
pers had teemed with articles on the
matter for the last three weeks, and
that but one side had been presented.
He polntedly alluded 10 communica-
ton in Sunday paper as being 'un-
warranted, unjust and lacking, at least,
in good taste" The mayor spoke with
some little feeling, and said the writer
was not convereant with the facts.
Rev. Mr.. Schwarm acknowledged be-
ing the author. 1t was signed arti-
Gle. Later Mr.. Schwarm explained its
appearance in a Sunday paper by say
ing he had handed It In for publication
for an earlier day.
Rev. DR.. Cunningham was the spokes-
man for the ministers. He delivered q
neat Introductory speech. He said he
had great confidence In the city's execu-
tive officers; that the ministers came to
them without any antagonlstlc spirit;
they came as citizens having the city's
interests at heart.
hn NR
HAMS remarks, Or. Sooy alluded to the
presence OF the reporters, and Rev. Mr..
Littell followed in the same vein, adding
that he considered others than the min
listers and the mayor and the chief OF
police as practically lntrudeTs.
Captain Clemans at this Juncture,
said that he would shoulder the blame.
He had Invited the newspaper men, as
ne considered the conference to be de
rectly concerning the public, Of whom
he and the mayor were servants.
After a brief and painful silence to
the scrlbes, Rev. Mr.. Clark said he had
no objection to the newspapers being
represented, and on his suggestion the
business began.
Then DR.. Sooy submitted the antI-slot
machine petition, pretacing 1t with ref
erence to the city ordinance leEislatlng
| against slot machines. and calling at
tention to fines imposed on forty-on sa-
loon-keeperS last June for operating
these devices. He said the ministers
were ready to support the officials, and
voted DR.. CunnIngham's sentiments as
to lack Of hostile opposition.
In reply. Mayor Sweeney thanked the
ministers for their visit, and welcomed
them in the same spirit they came.
There were two sides to the question. he
said and he did not believe anything he
would Say there would carry conviction.
In few days he would give them his
reply in writing. Captain Clemans re-
iterated the mayors plan.
Mayor Swecney's statement as to his
| form OF reply was satisfactory to DR.,
Sooy, who suggested that the cores
pondence Of both sides be published, to
which the mayor readily assented.