The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-10-22
Is Optimistic
III Conclusions
AS to rs Working
BY ANTHONY BOWEN
MAJOR Of Falrmont.

m N JANUARY l, 1914,
" the City of Fairmont
passed from the councilman
icto the commission form OF
government.
The commissioners elect
ed were met on the threshold
of their public duties with
some political antagonism.
The. candidates Of all the
parties for the office of COM
sioners were regarded by
the entire citizenship as being men Of
splendid qualities, high moral stand
ards and honorable conceptions OF
public duty, and 1t was recognized by
tie people and freely expressed that
no mistake could be made In the cleo
ton OF any candidate. Such was the
confidence OF our citizens In their sew
eral candidates. After q heated CAM
paign, however, It is but natural that
there should be some political antmoS-
tiles cngendcred, and we have not
been entirely free from this. Happily
for Fairmont, however, VIC haze
broad nliT1ded citizenship, and am
convinced that ut heart our people
have been, and are by an overwhclm-
insY!majority, ii substantial accord
with tho spirit OF the new government
and are willing to give the commits
sioners every fair opportunity.
No government can be successful
unleas the people themselves are In
iterestcd, and. our people, progressive
as they IRE, ana having IN view the
highest good OF their city, will never
40 back to the old courcilman:c form.
s+1nzthis Industrial Edition Of one OF
-Si,rt Gading papers, deem the time
8 oporpune to give a 0ricf review OF the
work accomplished thus far. 1t would
he impracticabie to attempt to cover
details.
Four Departments.
The City Charter provides for -Four
Commissioners, and divides their work
in departments as follows:
Department A-Policc, Fire, Law
Health and Charity.
Department B-Finance, Taxation and
.Public Utilities.
Department c-streets. Wharves
and Public Buildings.
Department D-Water and Sewers
Department A-Rolice, Fire, Health
and Charity-Anthony Bowen,
Commissioner.
Police-Fred S.sHarr, Chief.
The police department Of every city
is always the focus for adverse criti-
.cism. And no matter how painstaking
and conscientious the officers OF THIS
department may be, it seems they get
but little credit for humane and gem
erous deeds. Policemen of the City of
Fairmont work twelve hours a day,
through all kinds Of weather, ana they
arc paid the muniilcent sum of $1,000
per month. They IRE expected to be
in all places at all times. They are
expected to look into the hearts OF
men and see II there are any criminal
tendencies there. Their duties call
them to do many disngreeable things,
hut in the discharge OF their duties
they are your representatives OF law
enforcement and entitled at all times
10 your respect, support and cncour-
agement'
In the appointment Of the police
force the commissioners endeavored
10 select vigorous, healthy. energetic,
active and moral men, and am wen
satisfied with their appointments.
am convinced that these officers
are doing everything in their power
to protect the peace and defend the
laws. They are working in perfect
harmony and accord with each other
ana with oil the officers o. iae county
20 enforce the Yost Prohibition Law
and all other laws apt to be violated.
There is a remarkable absence of any
Jealousy. and every officer is earnestly
ana sincerely trying to do his utmost
for good government in Fairmont.
From January / to August ii, 1919,
II RgsgNsFiE fNss lyfl . .l1f3. +. ~ lEr.