The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-03-20
Ok. WINGERIER MAKES REPLY
iitor Wheeling Intelligencer:

Editor Wheeling Intelligencer:
repeat for the benefit OF the signers
or the recent open letters addressed
To me that stand responsible for my
words. written or spoken: but I must
firmly and consistently decline to dis
cuss statements that were not uttered
~ me. What I have said, 1 have said.
ana Will stand back OF: what I have not
SAID am In no sense responsible for
and refuse to discuss. 1 made the issue
On ~hieh chose To stand. in discussing
TIE new city charter. and 1 decline to
perthlt my critics To drag me from IT,
VI inject new issues OF their own max
ING i still say that with one eNc.p-
ION lhe city departments OF Wheeling
oso. ON the basic and funda uen-
"a. Ia ground that they are being used to-
.oSteI the selfish interests OF politicians
anu OF political parties. instead of being
USED "holIy ana solely IN the interests
49, S.y rHnoie people. As becomes one
~ ues4Fes 10 be a good citizen. intent
on u" bettermeut of mis- community. ]
NH uoins my humble best to eliminate
PARTISAN politics from the government
OF wheeling. and am defending the pro-
Eosed new charter because the cAperi-
enc OF almost three hundred American
form OF government does actually bring
nHout tins elimination. The cry 81
" hseIins Is now ana has been for long
n~3iS governed. and desire TO see II
Well governed. That desire Is no crime
"a my code OF ethics. although 4 believe
IL IS deemed the unpA rdonable sin by ali
political bosses ana grafters."
As plainly stated In black and white
90 NOT pass Judgment on !ndlViduals.
me .Shlefs. of departments" protest
thelr honesty between man and man
aud their loyalty To their duties as
kuohS servants. l am willing To- take
them at their own valuation. aud 4 here
" congratulate them on having tue APP
IIoNai or their own Consciences. n
these honest and loyal servants of the
Stty slill preside over bad depart
inents. II Is a splendid argument in
iaNor or change Of the system or
government from the imperfect one we
now have to a newer and "a bette one
where honest anu Loyal men can
SlNe US good results. MoreoNcI. the
experience OF the two hundred and nfty
commission system bear out the com
sciences of these gentlemen. NItu Il
nave not the slightest objection To their
return To office under the new charter
would undoubtedly give US -sood' dc
~ - al interesting TACT that in the
existing commission cities - Ter cent
OF the present office-holders. who are
f'ow producing such splendid results In
Increased efficiency. economy and gen
eral civic betterment, are the very same
tleht. eNtraNaSant. bad. departments
under the defective and unwie!dy coun-
SS lnil. system; hy mere change
TO a better one. the self-same men who
before were unable 10 administer the
municipality In the best interests OF the
people. have now become efficient adj
SninistfatoTs and have developed their
departments into "good' departments. /
have faith IN the worth 81 my fellow
citizens OF Wheeliu-. and believe that
our people are as capable. taken FIRST
and last, as the people IN those two
hundred and flfty commission cities.
and that We can 10 as well as they have
done. Therefore ! am IN favor OF the
new charter by means 81 II our hon
AZ al hoo.
efficient likewise. a conSummatiOn de-
vouuy TO be wished. since this cud,.Ss
other cities. l see no earthly reason
Hny IL can not come about IN Wheeling.
u the system Of government IL the
only thing that stands IN the way of
honest and loyal men giving rs Eooa
government, why then in heavens maine.
let Us on March 25tn follow the example
Of these two hundred and fifty commits
ron cities. wipe out our present uusat-
fsfactory system and adopt tn. one that
mas given these splendid results.
pass over the Irrelevant matters
which the signers % this second round
robin attempt To DRAG IN To cloud the
original issue ana content myself with
rrpeating that on the only point tnat j
lave ever raised I welcome "a discussion
with any man no VIII assume the en-
t're responsibility for the SHORTCOMINGS
"r his department 100 our present city
government. 1 VIII say. further. hat I
Law" no desif" To- defend my personal
CHARACTER or the character or any II my
a-socLates. Were We all devils in dis
E ii~'. that TACT would not make the old
t"VnrilmaniC system 'Eopd' nor tAe new
commission system bad Systems
must stand on their own merit. \ de-
..ct!Ve system should De wiped out no
matter VINO defends II. and q better sys-
ten should be installed 40 matter who
opposes 10.
trust that the personal character 81
the final Iaraeraph that follows VIII
Doe pardoneI The subject OF a. lik.
other things that are beside the issue.
was ciumsily dragged hy the very ucrIs
into this discussion. but not h. me
= mrle justice t. "N-tipveruOr GIassttt IS
60 mslnds that Say o. word on ~
Concerning the state board 81 health.
. which ! arm reminded that I am -
member. I would say that n the COVER
UHrg ~ Vest Virginia have us.f the
public health department fo serve part
San politics az AGAINST the best interests
81 tie public health. then. IN my llIl-
r~ut they hay" done wrong ara nave
made Of ~ Dad department THAI
they hay" done 90 ! arm iu mo- position f1
eay. having knowledge only Of tho man
rer % my own appointment declined