The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-02-11
Secretary Evans Was In
structed to Wire Action
to Charleston.
VOTERS HAVE LAST SAY
They Can Reject Charter at
Special Election If They
Want To.

After thoroughly discussing the
matter, the Fairmont Chamber of
Commerce last night approved the
proposed amendments to the charter
OF the City Of Fairmont which are
now before the West Virginia legisla-
ture. The secretary was directed to
wire the state senator from this dis
trict, Hon. E. B. Stewart, Of Morgan
town, and the representatives from
this county, Hons. A. j. Kern, ]. r.
Miller and N. F. Hamilton.
j. NJ. Jacobs, president Of the
chamber, gave resume Of the pro-
posed amendments. The new charter
proposed provides for fruo commits
sioners at salary of $2,500 per an
NUN, two to be selected from the par
ties polling the largest vote, and that
the commissioners-elect choose tie
mayor from their number. 1t also
provides that one of the commission
ers should take the place of the city
treasurer. BY this the lump salary is
similar to that paid to the present
commissioners and the city treasurer.
Blu the new charter, which provides
for bridge loans an additional $780,
900 can be secured through floating a
loan with the peoples consent. This
will enable the erection Of the new
East Side bridge. Mr.. Jacobs said
that some voters said that some peo-
pie claim that it would disfranchise
twenty per cent Of the voters. He
added that IL the Legislature passed
the charter amendments the matter
would come back to the people for
approval or disapproval. A special
election will be held and IL the pub
lie does not like the new charter they
will have chance to reject it.
C. w. Evans, who seconded r. 7.
Cunningham's motion to approve the
charter, stated that he thought that
it was a means Of getting together in
he interest of the progress of bridge
work and the town generally.
w. j. Wiegel then addressed the
body, giving in detail the proposed
new charter. He pointed out that 1t
was to the interest of the community
to have the bridge built across the
river as soon as possible. In order
to accomplish this It is necessary to
have new charter In which political
considerations must be laid aside and
the people as a whole must join in.
Should the legislature pass the char
ter amendments they will be return
ed to the people for approval or dis
approval. Speedy action is necessary
at this time because the legislature
will soon adjourn and otherwise 1t
would have to go over for two years,
at which time it will be necessary to
go through the same routine. Mr..
Wiegel made it. plain that after all
was said and done the charter would
be a matter with the voters Of the
city and they could do as they best
saw fit on election day.
Sam r. Nuzum wanted to know II
a man could vote for mayor, and he
was informed that the people elected
the four commission and then they
themselves perfected their own or
ganization. Carl Riggs stated that the
present city government was one OF
the best the City Of Fairmont ever
had, adding that more and better
things were done by this city board
of affairs than an. other similar city
government in by gone days.
j. M. Jacobs paid q tribute to A. L.
Lehman. street commissioner, saying
he renders services to the city that
are worth far more than the compen-
sation he received.