The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-02-14

with the fact that many OF them are IN
horrible condition, and that at no far
distant time must be taken up and re-
laid. Some which have done service for
many years, have worn fully half
through, while others through repeated
cutting for trenches, or by reason OF
original Inequalities in the foundation,
are uneven and rough.
When 1t is considered that the boards
contingent fund is barely sufficient N
provide for the ordinary and necessary
cleaning Of streets and expenses incl
dental to the operation OF the board.
that the 10 per cent levy found is not
available for streets which have been
improved, and that our general fund
has been severely taxed to provide for
the requirements Of the other depart
ments Of the city, II becomes serious
question as to the best means Of maxi
ing provision for these impending re-
qulrements. The present method Of
assessment for the paving Of streets,
new sewers and curbing, known as the
40 per cent levy" has never. andis not
now deemed to be either equitable or as
covering the requirements. Added to
this Is the fact that through an unwrtt-
ten law the fund has been divided
equally between the wards without
reference to the necessities OF other
portions Of the city, or to the amount
OF paved streets in the several wards.
The last annual report of the city en-
gIneer gives exhaustive data as to the
comparative area of improved streets
In the several wards, which informa-
ton was never before available, and
demonstrates beyond question that our
present plan of assessment and the
method Of Its distribution does not
rPtg In a 20 nd fUaf
the provision of the ordinance. Just
what better plan could be adopted
am not prepared to say. but would urge
that the practices OF other cities be In
vestigated and some plan formulated
which will result In a more equitable
distribution.
Free Toll to the Island.
The residents of the Seventh ward
still feel that they are entitled to relief
from the onerous and unpleasant bur-
den of toll charge. and, while recog-
mixing that their properties were ac-
quired with full knowledge of the i'm
position of the bridge tax, that the
bridge company was a private corpora
ton and consequently beyond the con-
troll Of the city; nevertheless, cannot
reconcile the fact that other wards OF
the city are connected by expensive
bridges owned by The city and partially
paid for by the Seventh ward. Their
assessed valuation is equal to that Of
any ward Of the city, their population
increasing, and their allotment Of i'm
pvovements not commensurate with
that Of the other wards. Another fact
bearing upon this matter and appealing
utPOnnFIV n TIM ~ Al
ward, is that certnin residents Of the
city who have been required to pay toll
to the National road towned by the
county, and therefore virtual prop
erty of the city,, have been rebatcd by
the city for the toll so paid.
In pursuance of a pledge made by the
candidates of both parties for council
from the Seventh ward at the last city
election. council appointed committee
for the purpose Of securing n PROPOSE
tlon from the bridge companies looking
to free toll. Our late member. Mr.. W.
p. Mckelvey, was delegated, and made
repeated and earnest endeavors to SCI
cure at least an audience with the
bridge Representatives. One bridge
company slgnIfied Its Willingness to
discuss the matter, and the other COM
pany, by one preteNt and another, de-
lRyed answering and practically re-
fused to consider the matter am
firmly Of the opinion that some actor
should be taken for the relief OF the cit
liens OF the Seventh ward from this
unjust discrimination, and suggest the
submission OF the facts to the next leg
islature. believing that their former nc-
tiOn viii be reversed when they fully
appreciate the seeming lack OF DISPOSE
ton on the part Of the bridge compan-
les to treat n committee Of vODr b0d,,
with the consideration II was certainly
entitled to. Respectfully submitted,
A. T. SWEENEY,