West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-30

Secrecy the Slogan Of Our Town
Officials.


Editor Argus:
IL IL rumored hat we are 10 have. a
town election January 0, 1910. However,
wehave no official authority s~ubstantiating
this report.
The election. it is said, will be held
under the old law, which of course means
no law, as there is but one election law,
all OF which is in harmony with the adj
ministration of our so-called town gov
eminent.
Secrecy seems 10 be the all important
matter with u town dads. II is and has
been for years a secret combination. No
one outside the inner circle is allowed
an insight into the methods used i'm
spending our money. All hat we are
allowed TO know is given out at the end
OF each year in a one-sided, hal f-hearted
financial statement, also made under
other laws than the one in force. About
all that can be ascertained from these
famous reports, is that A. b. or G. D.,
town sergent, is credited with sundries
to the amount of$1 900. Now, taxpayers,
Is 1T not about time that we s~traighten
out these tangled methods, and unbusi-
nesslike proceedings which is mortgaging
our homes and will bankrupt the town.
While the time is short in which to
prepare a platform of principles upon
which to elect our officers, even a novice
can prepare one which will at least bring
out the amount of our revenues from the
various sources and show for what pur-
poses they were expended and who got
the money.
1t must be admitted that our present
system OF transacting the business is an
tiquated. out ofharmony with our present
laws, and dangerous in the extreme. We
suggest as a remedy for the evils COM
planned of and many others that we
adopt a platform for the guidance of our
next officers about as follows:
First-We declare that a town treasurer
Is absolutely necessary for the safety of
funds and a proper record of finances.
Second-That a collector or town ser
geants duties should embrace the collec-
ton OF taxes from all sources Cat a per
cent?, the police duties, and such other
duties as council may direct on specific
allowances.
Third-TEat a competent street COM
missioner be employed at a stated salary
Tor the months OF May and June TO have
the supervision of repairs to streets. allevs
and walks, under the direction of coun.
Gil, the work to be done equally and uni
formly on all streets, alleys, and walks
within h corporate limits OF the town.
ana not outside AZ has been lone hereto
fore.
Fourth-That the assets of the town be
kept and disbursed under the following
heads: General fund, electrical fund, sink.
ing fund that the collectors recent be
the basis OF settlement with council as
well as basis of charge against treasurer
except interest on sinking fund to consti-
tute a separate charge.
tlith-That all meetings of council be
open to the public, and the proceedings
OF each meeting be prepared by the re-
corder and offered to the press for publ
cation as news.
we feel sure that some one will take il
upon himself to revise c:r suggestions so
rudely made and put them in better form
to be presented at a meeting to be called
later for the purpose Of ratifying a plat
form and nominating a ticket 10 be bound
by the platform adopted rather than their
personal desires. We are tired, wonder
fully tired, OF personal government. Yours
for a change, LEROY SHAW.