The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-02-05

few. And the greater and stronger this
concentration the higher the waves OF
discomfort have rolled These are in
controvertible facts stamped uron the
experience and history OF time and gov
ernmenn. Therefore. are We to ignore
All this. the warnings OF our fathers.
and the immortal words that we can
only Judge the future by the past; and
look beyond all standard ideas and prin-
ctples OF government into the realm OF q
purely metaphysical world for theories
IN support OF tht. new proposition-an
There is hardly anything so bad. how
ever. there 10 not some good In IL: and
IL Is so with this commission principle
OF government. While in the extreme IL
Is most dangerous and illogical: yet IL
has stimulated and aroused the mind to
an apprehension OF how q considerable
amount OF concentration OF power and
authority. within the compass OF cardi-
nal principles OF government. with their
checks and balances. can be brought
about for easier working conditions and
higher efficiency: but to go to the ex-
IRENE OF trampling under foot standard
princiIles OF government. is unreason-
able. intemperate--drunk. indeed. from
too much of the wine.
There are all kinds OF temperaments
in the world Some are prone TO ex-
will wreck everything they have any
thing to do with And yet they do good
by way OF awakening and arousing ultra
conservatism to more reasonable con-
"
this could be found than our present
city charter. The commission govern
ment cry was raised several years ago
and the result was our present charter.
which contains the best part of the COM
mission principle. and yet preserves in
tact the item honored principles OF con-
stitutional and representative govern
ment. Our experience with this system
Tor four years warrants US in saying
that with q few minor changes IL would.
in fact. be an ideal constitution for our
laAN In l.A L.. oil -
world. Based upon the general princi-
Piles provided by our present charter we
have a system established which has
absolutely closed the doors against all
forms OF graft. and has elevated bust
ness efficiency 10 Ilain on a level
with any corporation In this city Il say
this advisedly and defy successful con-
tradiction 1 defy any man 4" snow
that "a dollar or public money has been
dishonesty spent In tine last four years.
and ] further defy any head Of blk
business or corporation to show that
public money has not been as jud.cious-
ly and carefully spent with few mis-
takes. and to ns good IA purpose general
ly as In hts own private corporate BUSH
ness Now this being true tand ] know
II II truet. how in the name OF sense can
more be done without more money with
which to do III
We have said, and repeat. our present
charter with a system based upon the
principles II contains. mas been eminent
ly successful As proof Of this let ue
accomplished. In doing this I must re-
peat some statements previously made:
our city building WAS shamefully dilapi-
dated and dangerous. now at an eNt endi-
ture OF 10000 N has bsen put into such
excellent condition as to excite the civic
pride OF any good citizen. We have built
and equipped . splendid city stable OF
brick and concrete. we have provided the
health department with eight or nine up
to-dste garbage wagons and an equal
number OF fine teams. We have also pro-
me- la
tories and equipments enabling 10 TO
carry on its important work in highest
efficiency. the fire department has mad
much new equipment added at large eN-
pcnSe. enabling its efficiency to he mt
I'D to the high point or elicitine the adj
miration Of all concerned enough to give
their attention. the street department
had practically no facilities for carry ing
on street WORK; now 10 is fully equippeu
with modern flushers. sprinklers. SWEEP
ers. rollers. etc. etc. we have added
five more much needed policemen TO the
force. Ne have met the condition OF high
cost OF living b. advancing the wages III
street Ih"oters, ~ Al, who'e WAGES were
too low. our delinquent taxes are lower
than ever In the city's history. and prob
ably the lowest OF any city IN the coun-
try. city books and records are in the
best Of shape. challenging and defying
criticism In short We have increased
the assets Of the city and advanced the
financial conditions not a cent less than
Bear in mind. please. that all better
nentr and improvements alluded TO
above. came out OF. and paid for out 81
the regular old 3sc levy. and not a dol
lar 90 % from the bond issue OF any
other source. Does this look Ike cry
ing need for revolution in our city gov
eminent I ask this Of all fair minded
temperate. level-headed citzens
From tie vantage point OF experience
will the system ~ city government TN
der our present charter We can see the
doors absolutely closed 60 graft favor
itism and eNtravagance. ana We ian see
Just a. distinctly how these same doors
can. aud viii surely sooner or later. be
opened again under the extreme commits
ter
was never more earnest and sincere
IN any cause or at % my life than IN
my humble protest to the establishment
Of tlis dangerous little aristocrscy pro-
posed ny this commission FAD. 90 take
the place ~ our present system ~ gitv
government which has proven by expert
ence So rsIaCity To- conserve public In
terest IN riEh dsgfee. beg o. warn our
citizeus against This form 81 biVofrv
which defIe- standard principles. ~
would warn any 81 You against under
taxing q voyage across tie seH IN an
other Titanic. which IN ifs rigotrv afro
gated 20 Itself inNincfbiiify and laughed
standard marine precautions. restraints
AMI warnings
Again I beE you not 20 sliow your IN
frlllGcure 90 he iusuited by the claim
TIC initiative recall and referendum
henrinr tre snacbiss this charter
travesfy ~ deeent government places
upon trem. afford any sctual protection
particularly the recall These terms
were used ~ sop f0r SOC aiists hut he-
neve me the socialists are nsxt' and
THOMAS VI ITASKfNS.
Wheeling. W. Va. fch. q 1919