Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-07

Through the city yesterday, there
| was much discussion over the sudden
| change il the electric light situation
! down at Charleston, and the series of
articles presented to our readers upon
| the subject, giving all the salient
points, were eagerly read by a very
considerable number of people. Yes
terday the Register again took up the
matter, and the result is that this
morning we lay before our readers
some interesting expressions Of opin-
ion from leading citizens who are
noted for their wide and intelligent in
terest in municipal matters.
This question was propounded:
What, in your opinion, would be
the result of the submission to the
people Of loan ordinance providing
! for the purchase of the physical plant
Of the electrical lighting corporation
and the erection of a new and modern
market house in the Second ward
and calling for nothing else?''
General Alfred Caldwell said:
Il believe such an ordinance would
pass with whirl, and Council should
lose no time in my judgment, in for
mulating it. anticipating the action of
the Legislature As far Us the Electro
cal Company is concerned, it is a snap
for the people of Wheeling, for they
will have to pay nothing for franchise,
good will or anything else but tangible
| assets. Negotiations once concluded
upon the basis of an appraisement, the
Company would cease usiness one day
I and the city would take hold the next
and go right along. obviating all the
delays OF construction, the seeking and
securing of customers, etc. We. by the
terms of the agreement reached at
Charleston, have simply to pay the
agreed compensation and enter into
possession. The business would pay as
it now does, and would be a good
I thing from the start. 1t is cheap, prac-
tically, at any price. in view of the les
son it has learned Council, and yet it
would come to the city probably, upon
a basis of secondhand material offer
ed for sale at its market value. As for
the market house idea, it is good. The
old building in the Second ward has
certainly had sixty years of existence.
1t is anticipated, uncomfortable, dirty
and rat infested. Both the renters Of
stalls and the patrons of those who do
| business there are entitled to better
quarters and accommodations. Any
| new building should be provided with a
cement floor, rat-proof, and which
could be washed out clean after each
! market, or as frequently as might be
necessary, and there should be a pro-
vision in the ordinance by which the
revenues of the market should go to a
sinking fund for the debt incurred in
this behalf. That would give bond
holders an absolute guarantee, relieve
the public Of the burden, and provide,
in thirtyfour years, for the payment
of both principal and interest. The peo-
pie are ripe for this movement and
Council will do well if it siezes the
opportunity"
Col. Thomas O'Brien said:
Il am scarcely prepared to give an
opinion at the present time am in
clined to the opinion, however, that
provision for an electric light loan,
with sum added sufficient to take care
Of the overdue compromise loan of
$4,000, would be proper | cannot
see any pressing necessity for a new
market house. The old building is fair
ly good, and will answer all easonabIe
purposes"
Mr.. Howard Hazlett said
ct occurs to me that loan provid-
ing for the purchase of the electric
light plant ana the cleaning up of fag
ends of city Indebtedness would be a
popular thing. There are some orders
| and tailings of bonded Indebtedness
which might be cared for, and the city
government started off afresh and clean
and fair. A new market house might
not be bad thing. | believe it could
be made to pay and if constructed up
/ on modern lines would be distinct
Improvement. However. have scarce
ly formed a definite opinion in the mat
ter"
Mr.. John WaterhouSe said:
why not submit three separate and
distinct propositions to the people,
thus: % To purchase the electric
plant; CD to provide for a new mar
ket house; CD to refund the city debt?
The people could thus give an express
sion upon all of these things and no
one would be placed in Jeopardy by
any other"
DR.. Megrail, member of Council, said:
The proposition strikes me favor
ably, but l will think it over. 1t ought
to the feasible and also popular both
from the electric light and market
house standpoints. The market house
might be made two or three stories
high, so provided with offices, public
rooms and restaurant facilities as to
make it big paying investment for
the city
Mr.. Henry F. Jones, President of the
Water Board, said:
Personally would like to see loan
of 100000 to provide storage capacity
for the city. That is something we
badly need, but realize that our mar
gin for new Indebtedness will not per-
nit that AS for the electric light
plant purchase and the new market
house. would favor them, for both are
needed, and would be good solid invest