Federation of Churches Petitions Wheeling City Council to Enforce Anti-Slot Machine Laws (Jan. 9, 1900)

On January 9, 1900, the Wheeling City Council was presented with a petition by a delegation representing the Federation of Churches that demanded strict enforcement of the city ordinances prohibiting slot machines. The police department and the city council were blamed for their "non-action" in enforcing these ordinances. Mayor Andrew T. Sweeney didn't escape criticism either. Both he and Chief of Police William Clemans had already received petitions but had not acted. The ministers and forty private citizens representing the eight wards of the city informed the city council that "The conduct of the chief of police is (in) palpable defiance of your law. He effectually vetoes your action."

            The responses of the mayor, chief of police, and city council was mixed. Mayor Sweeney and Police Chief Clemans agreed with Judge Hugus' views that regulation of slot machines was more effective than their prohibition. Sweeney called the regulation of vice "hallmarks of... a liberal administration."  Councilman John Waterhouse disagreed with this view and proposed a resolution that would require Clemans to enforce the existing ordinances banning slot machines. To ensure that this happened promptly, Waterhouse urged Clemans to act promptly "and...not wait until individual citizens make affidavits before performing this duty."  Waterhouse even demanded a status report on the illegal slot machines "owners and leasees" from Clemans by the next council session. Waterhouse was charged with intimidating Clemans.