The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-03-19
SENTIMENT AGAINST CHARTER GROWS.

Inc Impressive series OF ntrve" presentn the opinion II men
in every vail of life in the city of Wheeling demonstrates he TACT that sen
'men' is rapidly crystanrins against thu proposed n~ charter The many
unpopular and dangerous features OF he charter have been referred TO at
considerable length and frequently 1t is evident that the voters in Wheel
ing are beginning to realize the danger of creating a irresponsible n arbi
tary power of destroying representative government. of wiping out the safe.
guards against foolish and reckless legislation. and If urrm W. the
taxing power and the money spending power without limit to three ndividu-
ais who may happen to emerge from the turmoil and strife of a porica
election. This is the essential weakness of the charter Boiled down to its
simplest form. the charter proposes to rest ii three men all of the following
To appoint public officials without hi necessity of examination as to
their fitness or confirmation by n other body.
To Ak the salaries for the app0ntees named by the members II the
commission themselves.
To lease. sell or mortgage public property.
To build n operate bridges.
To build and operate street railway lines.
To create and operate a system for tn sale wholesale Or retail. of natu-
To aproin, election onciais.
To give or o deny licenses
All of these enormous powers which are greater than have ever before
% esa S1eTe ae b, b ,% %th cS, THE CGUnSn ,0 pr s ,e Be" aH 0f ,6%s OF i'm xDu 6s S SMg of
a majority; and these three by combination a exercise these powers
ference Oe by n existing s vo o. b n citizens 4, whesring bsm mc.I "
1t is true that the recall feature Is provided as a check upon thu action
of the members Of the commission. bur the recall "a only be invoked after
the damage is done and even then it will be invoked with great difficulty
First a petition signed by twenty per cen Of all the voters nus be lodged
with the Auditor. who is himself an appointee Of the commission. Imagine
the difficulty that will be met in securing the signatures to a recall PAPER OF
men in business oil in employment where their occupation ray be threat
ineuences Ever in The event That, -, recou lection "a held h or ~ cry
Office holders and the enormous patronage and power in the hands of this
commission would make a effective recall almost impossible. And beyond
!, n lame and nsr TN rsn1. pFo o, ,sa .n nr1rh. IS % the slightest check nO0"
As if apparently for the purpose of insuins that men Of the hirhes,
character would nt 70 secured for the commission. provision is made that
cuts OF from candidacy for the commission every mar who has made a sue
cess III pushesT' OF every nan Who has eMpOymen tat pays MIN a noder-
ate income Already 90 ire beginning to soc something Of the character OF
men who will be- candidates for the commission. Already in certain parts OF
the city certain men are being talked about as candidates The public knows
ome Of these men. ct il question itself whether these men ave had the
business experience and have the qualifications for exercising the tremen-
dous powers which this charter proposes N reate
AS n matter Of fact. II this charter becomes a Law and thisc commission
is elected. 20 will secure for members on IL JUST about the m class OF men
nat " % have heretofore elected to city Offices and county Offices. We will
eclre men who have failed in other business We will secure men who
have no other steady occupations We will secure % who have 10 extend
ed business experience or success, and any three Of these men working to
gether q the commission, will be I'm a position to levy axes much higher
than ever before has heeu paid by tho people OF Wheeling: TO spend money
mOre lvish'y than has ever been spent in this city. and exercise more dtcto.
torhl and arbitrary powers in the matter Of granting and refusing licenses
or dealing with public utility corporations In the appointment Of city ON
ployes and tho general expenditure of the ctys one than has eyer been
before exercised b. any body in tho State Of West Virginia
Practically N p"oIl" Of Wheeling are asked to surrender every leCsla.
tive and executive t"""r which they now exercise and 70 place an that power
In me hands oi rI"' rn and then sit quietly by and see those three men
work their oVn sweet Will without let or hindrance.