Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-03-15

of the fire department is attracting at
tention, and unless the people who
placed him in an office not contem-
plated by law put him out again, there
will be action taken which will bring
about the desired result.
The fact appears to be that Marcum
is maintained on the pay roll of the
department solely by reason of polit-
ical pull.
The ordinance governing the depart
ment does not authorize his employ
ment; but he is drawing pay at the
rate of $720 of the taxpayers money
per annum, and hence portion of the
financial stringency at the Public
Building.
Mr.. Marcum used to be member
of the Atlantic engine company, but
was deposed. There was a howl
from his friends, and it was announc-
ed that place would have to be made
for him. No legitimate berth could
people conceived the idea of making
him full paid extraman, and he was
slid into this place, at salary of $50
per month. He has occupied this posi-
ton for two or three months past,
and will continue to do so until ousted
by public sentiment and legal action,
for the Republicans in Council have
twice fatty refused to take cognizance
OF this violation of law, as of others.
A month or so ago Mr.. John Water
house rose in his place in the First
Branch of Council and challenged this
item in the bill reported by the Fire
Committee, and there was very live
ly scene. The item was defended by
M. A. Chew, and was forced through
by the Republican majority, in def
ance of every principle of right and
justice, after Mr.. Warehouse had
fatty told the majority they <were
guilty of perjury in violating their
oaths of office.
Tuesday night the item came up
again, and in the Second Branch Mr..
Healy, backed by Mr.. Korn, made an
emphatic protest and moved to reject
the item of the bill. The motion fail
ed, however, by tie vote of 10 to 10,
and the committee report was adopted
by vote of IL to 10, although there
was no doubt of the illegality of the
action taken.
Yesterday Mr.. Healy was seen and
said:
81 am going to push this thing, If I
have to employ an attorney myself.
There is no authority in the city ordi-
nance for the employment Of an extra
man, as is very well known. I see
certain people are claiming / do not
know the law, and cite provision
which allows the committee at any
time to expend 500 without going to
Council. That Is true, but it does not
apply to labor. That is a provision to
meet emergencies in the way of mater
ial or apparatus, and does not mean
that an extra man can be employed
at full salary. Sixty dollars per
month is 1920 per year, and the emery
ency provision would have to be
stretched very considerably to cover
that. Understand me, / am as much
in favor Of the fire department as any
man. / know its needs, and If it had
been represented to the committee at
any time that an extra man was need
ed In the department / would have
gladly voted for it in committee, and
believe it would have passed Council
practically unanimously under a prop
er procedure. But no such action was
taken. The extra man was put on the
city pay roll without authority, and
has since been carried in the same
manner, and protests are treated with
contempt. There Is nothing right
about such a course, and for one l OBJ
iect And there are others with me.
My offer to refer it to the City Solic-
itor was eminently fair, but it did no
good"
The matter is attracting great deal
of attention in city circles, and will
assuredly be heard of later on.