The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-03-04


fof the purpose oi raa good deti-
cit in the general fund since the city
Was incorporated. excepting for the
years 1908 and 1904. when nearly one
fourth Of the real estate. Of the munich
pality was destroyed by the floods.
thus creating very manifest shortage
in the normal taxes. In fact( the In
come of the general fund was ordinar-
fly suficient for all expenses, which
included the payrolls of the police and
fire departments, and various other
city Offices, and nearly all miscellane-
GUS bills OF the city. In fact nearly
every item OF expense. excepting those
created by the street. light, water and
park departments.
an the general fund this city is now
in arrears $4,000. There is on hand
cash amounting to $4,000. If the
present Legislature now in special SEES
sion do not authorize the issue of adj
dltlonal bonds, the city faces n deficit
Of $77.oOO and there is no possible re-
lief in sight yet
THE Supreme Court OF the State
OF Kansas number of years ago sus-
tanned an Injunction restraining city
officers from exceeding in current dis
bursements the amount of the legal
revenue. Had 1t not been for the fact
that the saloon fines were cut Of this
shortage would not exist, and this
fact may be verified by any one who
cares to take the pains to Investigate.
DepIorabIe Conditions.
THE most deplorable condition aris-
Ing from the curtailment of the saloon
revenues is the fact that retrench-
ment in municipal expenses was nee
essary. This occasioned the cutting
down of the police. fire, street, sani-.
tary and other departments. Perhaps
the effect of none of these acts was SO
noticeable as that of reducing the po-
lice force. A number OF the firemen
we're ordered dropped from the payroll
but were retained upon being assured
that their salaries would be forthcom-
ing from the owners of big establish
ments in this city, who feared an in
crease in insurance rates. This prom
Use was made good from the fact that
the men were paid by the packing COM
panies and other big industrial insti-
tutions in this city for a number OF
months after this agreement was
made.
1.-THE street department was reduc-
ed to practically nothing, but great
many people of this city were reared
on farms and were used to mud holes
and impossible places in public high
ways. The sanitary department was
reduced to nothing, but what OF that?
There are enough urchins to consume
portion OF the refuse in garbage cans
and the city seems willing to spare a
portion of its population which is oc-
casioned by disease Incident to unsan-
itary conditions. 1t is different, how
ever. with the police department.
Police DemoraIized.
Immediately after the closing OF
the saloons, the number OF executive
officers and patrolmen of the police
department were cut from an average
Of SIS to an average of IS men. This
was done because OF a want of funds
to pay them. This occurred in Sep
TENDER. 1906. The reduction in the
police department as well as that in
all other departments was demanded
by Assistant Attorney General Trick
EFT, the Civic League and other So
called advocates of the prohibition
movement.
"All these forces held over the head
OF Mayor Cornell and the city council
that threat of persecution under the
Injunction issued by the Supreme
Court several years ago. However,
after thirteen citizens of the city had
fallen a prey to the red handed muir
derer these self-constituted powers re-
NAMED quiet long enough for the may
or and council to take into their own
hands the responsibility of increasing
the police force, Twelve patrolmen
were added to the force December z,
1907.
Thirteen Murders.
Between the two dates, September
1906, and December, 1907. while there
were but an average of thirty-hve po-
llcemen on duty, thirteen murders
were committed-a record which trip
ly eclipses anything in the history of
the city. The names Of the persons
and the places where these victims
were slain are taken from the Blood
Book of the police department and
are as follows: