The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-05-25
Mr.. Watkins Good Record
AS Member Of City Council


years he served in council he did his
duty as his judgment and conscience
dictated. without fear or favor. voting
always without regard to the matter
being popular or unpopular: always
having before him but one criterion.
which is the right and just position?
And when he had determined that
question. voting without regard TO
any question OF policy or advance
ment OF self. or whether it helped
or injured friend or foe.
When he entered council he
plunged into study OF municipal af-
fairs. and all the intricate questions
arising therein. serving on the leading
committees. including finances and
ordinances He was indetatigable in
his research and labor on all the work
arising in committee and on the floor
OF council. Comparatively few know
how much OF his time has been spent
by Mr. Watkins 20 his duties in the
council OF the city OF Wheeling since
he vas elected six years ago.
Capable Representation.
The Seventh ward has been par
ticularly fortunate I'm her selection OF
men who represented her in council.
James Y. Maxwell retired two years
ago. after serving faithfully. unsel-
fishly and ably in that body. No man
in the writer's knowledge ever pos
sessed the same knowledge OF muni-
cipal affairs. rules governing council
and the different departments OF the
city and the laws OF the city. Mr..
Alex. Mitchell was chairman OF the
finance committee. He did practic-
all the work OF that committee, he
- = T. /. .a-H..
tricate knowledge OF every subject
that came up concerning the necessi-
ties OF each and every department
of the city. and the sources OF revenue
and how far revenues could be APP
portioned 10 this or that end or pur-
pose. Mr.. Watkins. succeeding Mr..
Maxwell rs chairman OF the finance
committee. worthily fills his shoes.
He has not had long years OF
experience. but every year he Is be
coming more valuable. and then he Is
clean. honest. conscientious, intelli-
gent, intensely interested as a student
in municipal government and all the
problems. and bringing 20 the solu-
ton OF all its problems and ques-
tons OF interchangeable industry, In
telligently directed.
The passing OF Messrs. Maxwell
and Mitchell was a distinct public
loss equally as great Il loss would be
the defeat OF MIR. Watkins. Mr.. Wat
kins would be the gamer the large
amount OF time. study and thought
now given 20 city affairs could then
be given 10 his personal interests.
Should Eject Watkins.
The people will suhecrve their best
I interests by clecuug Nr. Watkins.
who has been al au. fearless. wise
and able representative OF his con
constituency in the past. and who IS
bound 20 be- an ever more valuable
servant in the future because of the
added experience.
Sweeney cant be rs valuable. he
cause he is NOT iu touch with the
/ city's Affairs Sis .r1rs' absence
makes difference almost iucalcu-
liable. The Trades assembly's posi-
, ton against Mr. Watkins is uufair
unjust and demaECs.c Doe was right
on every question on which 10 at
4 tacfs him; and IL be had voted as f..
requested him Dc would have been "a
Eycophaut. trimmer and untrue 10
his obligation and oath as q council
man.
First. IL charges him with being n
party 20 the change or the Ton Mill
! road. he WAS not a member Of
council when the exchange OF roads
was made. but ~ SAYS thousands OF
. dollars were spent on the road and a.
stan IS impossible. How uniust-iho
road was there Mt Watkins had
nothing 90 do with putting % there. it
was an important highway leading
INTO the city and had 10 De put into
condition for travel rs vehicle and
foot Competent engineers estimat-
I'd Sin.''' would Doc sufficient 20 rut
l' in good condition Tho city o.
Wheeiiu- and four other corporations
agreed fo contribute zach ono rrfh o.
The expense. Mr. Watkins. as WAS
bis duty. voted FOR thaf expenditure
j. urncd out the engineers made d
p mistake .n fhcfr estimate Was that
fhe fault ~ couucl9 Could they have
done anything oise9
Second. Iic voted AGAINST tho labor
clause in ordinance passed three
years aso renewing franchise o..
. Wheeling Traction company FOR 5p
years. and against sara clause BOO
power house ordinance of Same rom.
IarF passed about rrlr rro.
Follows Legal Advice.
Whom rho Whee.'rr Traction com.
parr franchise ordinance was 900
three yeare ago. fhn fisr rItv eliipt
fcr advised council Thar such "a c'.ure
had been decided hy fro t.-rrsf court
ir fho land ahe,'u'ols Illegal. ruu and
void ari advised council lf orrhf
rot fo I" made part of fIo ord.
nance SIR Wl'krs. following tho
opinion ~ fho legal r1tIfrr of fha
city, rO voted. arI ut.r tho latter
orfirarc" cam" up 3d. tar- 0ro. ro.