The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-02-19
DR.. HASKINS
Sends Communication In Which He
Outlines Some Objectionable
Feature In New Charter.
Editor IntellIgencer:=

EOltOr ln~tellgenCer.- |
sincerely hope ! shall not become
entirely too tiresome TO the public
by frequent appearance in discussion
OF this new charter To soon come be-
fore the citizens for final decision. /
further hope no n will be unkln1
enough TO attribute my activities to
selfish motives or trying to fortify /,
myself in Office for the remainder of
the time | am mortally under contract
&c serve and vice versa. i pledge you
my word that the ous;ing feature OF
his Charter OF me from public service
not only for the period for which
was elected by a very large majority.
but my external exclusion from ever
again returning TO the service OF the
city. really is the smallest factor in
the impelling forces behind my action
in this battle. ] simply hate the thing
or general principles, because II Is at
variance with. and a departure from.
the true principles or repress ntaiiol
and republican government: being ey-
actly that form OF government which
Gen. Washington defined and Dc
nounced as despotic in effect regard
less OF whatever name IL Nigh: bear.
! am lot ready TO believe that any
very considerable number os our cit
izens desire 10 see, or arc willing &c
pee the seed OF such government
painted in American soil. eve IN our
smaller cities. in which conditions are
not, perhaps. so varied and extended
ms 10 demand in so forcible a manner
as Wheeling. the regular cardinal prin-
ciples OF true representative govern
public interest. | have attempted, in
ny poor way TO point ont the dangers
or the oneman power and control OF
ahnirS this charter proposes.
These dangers, indeed, are most
manifest TO one who has had muck
experience in the affairs CT city oV-.
eminent: To those who nave had no
such experience such visions are. Of
course. not so clear. However. ] sure
l. think II believe any unbiasad man.
h will Interest himself enough To
get "ight down 10 the proposition and
STUDY 10 closely. and not accept
rarnished ~ statements O: those who
nave had an axe TO grind. or are paid
10 come here and AK YOU into tine
, new fad. will be able 10 see .Or him
SELF the absurdlty and danger OF his
pTC.ositiOn. True the worst evils ~
II may not appear at on, from Us
operations: but hat ~ WILL. come
NJ man can dispute NijIou' also dis
putting the statement Cf that most
hrrlime OF American nSures whom
:ha greatest patriots and stA'esme.
o. MS day and since .1vc - speak OF
"a FIRST ~ WAR. FIRST IN PEACE
AND FIRST IN TIE HEARTS OF.
HIS COJ\TRYMEN. Ills statement.
WIS a just estimate OF that love OF
/ power. and proneness 70 ahuse ~.
Which predomina'es IN the human
heart = suficien; 70 SATISFY w. of TIE
truth of the position" that is. that
consolidation % all the regular de-
parments OF representative govern.
mont in one constituted dcspotIsm.
THIS statement as not made care
lesFly or under e~NCitsUfnt, or through
bias or selNshneSs Of any sor' q
WAS made in his remarkable farewell
| G GrWsE vshsaL - 49, 49, -.-..L-
Preparing. taking 'vsry care thar Il
should not be ANYTHING other ;;.ln
uttst gold. for. lie In ended il as his
final advice 10 his beloved COUNTY.
Rni countrymen-a liEh- &C. direct Is
safe course through the difficulties.
tNh designs and lntrisues Of the fu-
ture.
In running through this charter Il
VIII he seen %herc l. an occasional
reference to an auditor and treasurer:
YET there Is not a Singl. word as 10
LCW these all important offices are 10
b. brought into -~NisfenCe. or any
limits as 10 tho incident TO
these functions of our city govern.
menf. our present charter delineates
The duties Of these officers. and con
fires the expense within certain lin
us 10 be fixed definitely by council.
W hile 10 Is not so stated. ny the nov
plan. The assumption g. the commits
sion. or possibly the Commissioner az
finance viii make these appointments
and " % should happen to be- a son.
n bTother. or some dear friend. ~ j.
l'koly q liberal allowance Will BE- made
" u all mp TO This % man. or AZ most
thN"e mel q majority q! the board
That tho depart mcnts controlled re-
spe"tivciy by these commissioners viii
soon settle down into Oncman affairs
- so plain and certain. for obvious
reasons. that no fair minded man ~
experience. with q reasonable amount
90 hors" sense Viii dispute ".
This auditor ami treasurer natter.
absolutely unr' trained or controlled
T., any limits whatsoever. as prnfc.
ZION 70 the taN- payers. is one amoug
many o. Oh" most glazing and palpable
Hh-Urdiiics ever written into arvihin.
TurpOrting 10 10. q constitution for a
tttN providing restraints oi safety.
In our present charter. a. stated.
council nor no one else. can 90 b.
Nnnl 90 certain maximum amount ~
20 tA" cost ~ % treasury department.
Nh'rn only allows the treasurer 20
r'a-undhle profit after paying his
''lu fi" same" is True of the auditor
] 81 Tho ness regime. fni- U.s. all
measured up to the drsir" and dis.
position 81 tHr Commissioned of ~.
Tarc" to provide vrIl Tor his son
tr'fher tt'her or friend. a. tho case
NAV D..
Nov. ] ,hould HE" to ask. is his
decent protection % public interest
J -at 20 Pho tifIZsr- of IS lea'iue W.1l
OBJ swallow such a~u-urt..r II vou
"f' Oh tH. Col help won
TlipS 50 HASKINS.
Nn"elrE lt'h 20. 1915