Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-05-29
MAYORS ANNUAL Message
WAS READ TO COUNCIL AT THE
MEETING HELD LAST NIGHT.
RECoMM ENDATIoNs
Made Upon = Number of Subjects of
Importance to the City-FinanciaI
Matters and the Refundinx Ordi-
nance-Strects and Paving-Grants
Of Franchtse-Other Topics.

The annual message OF Mayor An
drew T. Sweeney. which has been deter
red until this time, largely on account
of the unsettled state OF affairs at the
City Hall, was read to Council last
might. 1t is a terse and interesting pub
Vic document, covering a great many
important topics. The message follows:
To the First and Second Branches Of
the City OF Wheeling:
Gcntlemen:-The functions of the
Mayor embrace a requirement of sub
Knitting to Council such recommended
lions as he may deem proper for the
good OF the city, In compliance with
that requirement, l beg to transmit my
views of the most urgent and pressing
needs. In the presentation of my ideas
q desire to disclaim any intention to
dictate or to detract from the ideas of
other persons, but such recommended
lions as ! make, arise from my own ex-
perience and conception of the needs
OF our city.
Financial.
The city's financial condition appears
to me to be confined within too mar
row limits, for, while endorsing and
upholding a policy of conservatism in
city finances, 1t does not seem a just
or equitable provision that the public
works and improvements of the city
should suffer and be retarded by an
over Jealous desire to reduce her in
~debtedness at the expense of her ma
lerial interests. The entire indebtedness
nf tho pifU nc shown Inv f1o ctafnp,ant
of the City Clerk, for the fiscal year
ending January 1st, 1901, was $780,
232.84, surely not an imposing item,
sfnce her ability to make loans is 5
per cent of the assessment for State
and county taxation purposes $19,8S2.-
900. or s994.1 las.
When we take into account the fact
that such substantial Improvements as
may be made by the present Council are
not for their present use and benefit. but
will be participated in and enjoyed by
those who come after us, it seems to me
but fair that cur efforts should be ex-
erted to build up to the highest degree
our public works, using all care to
avoid extravaganza or wasteful expen-
diture. But it does not appeal to me as
a fair proposition that ;ne entire ex-
pense for these extensions and better
ments should be borne entirely by the
present generation. In framing the
statut providing for the issuance OF
bonds by the city, it is clearly contam-
plated that the annual payments on the
principal shall be at the rate of 3 per
cent per annum, which, in the opinion
OF men of finance whose advice | have
taken, is all that should be applied.
One fact is becoming painfully appar-
ent: The various departments are year
ly requiring more money for their oper-
alton; the revenues are not increasing,
and as a consequence, the efficiency Of
much needed Improvements delayed or
entirely abandoned.
The best path out of the difficulty to
my mind is a refund of our present debt
upon the same lines as heretofore sub
united, but in presenting the question
TO the people, it should be done for the
purpose only of refunding the present
debt, and not coupled with a loan for
any other purpose.
Laws and ordinances.
One pressing need of the city is a
reconstruction of her existing ordi-
nances. Indeed, | have often been con-
WINGED that a new charter, or at least
the revocation of some of the present
statutes and the substitution of others
more applicable to latter day conditions
and methods is almost imperative. An
entirely new charter would involve
much opposition and would have little
or no prospect for success, but if the
matters most sorely demanding relief
were singled cut, carefully reconstruct
ed, and the reasons made plain for the
change, there is little doubt it would
succeed.
Many of our ordinances are in open