Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-03-03

ABOUT the r6IunQlug ordnance, COLL
ing from the sponsors of the scheme
and the literary bureau created in its
behalf, none have been more ridiculous
than the assertions in the Intelligent
Ger yesterday morning. The City Hall
ring has shown very decided indis-
position to accept defeat good natured-
ly. The voters of the city have twice
placed the stamp Of their disapproval
upon the scheme, yet the ring auda-
ciously proclaims its purpose to frame
another ordinance, and place the city
under the expense of another election,
and that in the immediate future. To
openly assert that the ordinance
would carry now, is an insult to the
voters. Does any sane man believe
that the silly vaporings Of the City
Hall crowd, and its lily concealed dis
comfiture has brought about change
of sentiment anent the refund? Rather
is it not much more reasonable to sup
pose that voters are disguised with the
attempts to force the obnoxious meas
ure upon them, and are justifiedly sus-
picious that there is something behind
the threats of the City Hall crowd
which is noE apparent upon the sur
face?
Some of the Councilmanic friends of
the ordinance, with hope begotten of
the knowledge of power, clutch at
the straw of a recount. Several right
thinking Republican members of the
body have since expressed their dis
approval of the recount, notwithstand-
ing they voted for it. Nobody dreams
that an honest recount would alter
the result. Perhaps there was a sus-
picion that honesty in the proposed
recount was not contemplated. How
ever that may be, the morning sheet
on Fourteenth street discovered that
local financiers object to it, on the
ground that the ratification Of the or
dinance-technica or forced ratifica-
1 CiOA, pOOoID1y -WOuio OO I0lAL LAO plO-
posed loan that it would be difficult
to induce investors to buy the bonds.
With that discovery, the aforesaid end
of the refund literary bureau gravely
announces that the recount may not
take place.
Councilman James P. Maxwell, Pres
ident of the Second Branch, is quoted
as favoring another special election,
in which event he is confident the re-
fund would carry, because: NOW, that
the people realize that special tax
levy of nearly forty cents is necessary
without the refund. we believe they
are ready to endorse the refund by a
good rousing majority"
Is it possible that the literary bu-
reau overlooked such a potent argu-
ment before the election, as upon a
mere mention after the election is con-
sidered sufficient to cause such a re-
markable revulsion in public senti-
ment? But do 1.-The people realize that
a special tax levy of nearly forty cents
is necessary without the refund?"
Well, hardly.
Flimsy as is the foundation for the
alleged confidence that the measure
would carry if again submitted to pop
ular vote, it is not to be compared with
the foolishness of the City Hall crowd
in proclaiming the necessity of a forty
cents increase in the levy. 1t is past
comprehension that the ring in its des-
peration, seeks to impose such an un-
necessary burden upon the taxpayers
of the city.
The city is confronted by condition
which may be met in the manner sug-
gested by the Register, simple, bus
iness-like plan which commends itself
to taxpayers, since it does not impose
such burden as Mr.. Maxwell and 9TH
ers threaten. The refunding ordinance
proposed to take up the $4,000 due
upon the compromise loan, and incor-
porated it in the bond issue bearing in
terest at the rate of four per cent. That
debt will be due in July. If Council
will submit to the voters an ordinance
providing for refunding this debt, it
will be ratified. 1t may be possible to
Goat the bonds at lower rate of in
terest than four per cent In fact, it
has been stated that holders of por-
ton of the compromise bonds are not
| at all anxious to have them redeemed,
but are willing to accept three per cent
upon a new bond issue. These matters
may repay investigation.
All the post-election talk by the
more or less garrulous members of the
| City Hall ring, savors strongly of mis-
! representation if not intimidation. II
| is unquestionably the purpose Of a few
leaders to force another election, and
| they have begun the work of creating a
| favorable sentiment by holding over
| the heads of the voters club of in
creased taxation. Their bugaboo will
not brighten the taxpayers. They do not
want to refund the entire city debt
but are willing to refund the portion
| of it which is due. The disgruntled