Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-06
MOST DECIDED STIR.
AMONG THE POLITICIANS AT NEW
PORT NEWS.
The Legislatures Omission-Cnn
Spring Election He Held In the
Question.

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, March s.
(special)-Not for Yeas has such in
tense excitement prevailed In local po-
litical circles as on yesterday. when II
was learned that the Legislature had
adjourned without providing for any re-
glstration for the city of Newport News,
and IT was noised about that there
were certain immovable obstacles TO q
municipal election this spring, and. UNI
less something was accomplished, there
would be no election here until May Of
1898. Nearly the entire voting population
of the city IL worked up over the turn
affairs have taken, and yesterday and
to-day prominent lawyers and public Of
ncials have been busily engaged In ex-
aiming into the pros and cons OF the
case. Some think it is a harmless scare,
while others are inclined TO look al II
from serious standpoint. At all events,
there has been no provision for a registra-
ton, and the question is, What can be
done to insure legal election?
A SUGGESTION.
Attorney w. I. Moss. of the firm OF
Moss K Hillyer first brought the matter
TO the attention Of Mr.. ID. $. Jones,
president of the city Council, who al
once communicated with Mayor Post;
but, as that official was indsposed, no
definite action has yet been taken. 1t is
suggested that the most expedient way
10 settle the matter OF an election, the
results of which cannot be disputed, Is
to have the Council Immediately pass an
ordinance making each ward an election
district, and designating places for hold
ing the elections, and have the Electoral
Board meet and appoint registrars fol-
each Of the said districts.
THE REPUBLICANS.
Colonel II. de y. Clay. chairman of the
Republican party of Warwick county,
on learning of the difficulty which UNI
doubtedly confronts the people Of the
city, telegraphed Mr.. Edgar Allan and
Judge Edmund Waddill, both of Rich
mond, for legal advice for the benefit OF
his party, but as yet has not received
the desired information.
WEIGHT OF OPINION.
Your correspondent has interviewed a
number of the leaders in both OF the
political parties. as wen as the most
prominent lawyers OF the city, and the
weight Of opinion is that the fact that
the Legislature has made no provision for
the registration of voters in this city
will not in itself. nullify the right to
hold the election in May for city Of
ficers. There are some. however, who
express contrary views. maintaining that
an election without a special act OF tho
Legislature will be illegal. and all Of
fees filed at such an election will be
open 10 contest. II Is understood that
President Jones will call a special meet
ing OF the Council to take all necessary
steps within the power Of that body.
PORT NOTES.
For the month Of February the total
exports from the city of Newport News
exceeded in value any previous months
foreign shipments in the history Of the
port. Their value was s2SOi965, as
against S902. $50 for the corresponding
month OF last year. January, OF lS2
comes nearer than any other month to
that Just ended in the matter OF heavy
exports the value of the same being
81. 291. 9O9 Among the exports for last
month were the following: 2057, i3C
bushels OF corn, valued at NiS3s1: S0O.nlf
bushels Of oats. valued at $500
CT 900 bushels OF wheat, valued at $500
1924 barrels of -four, valued at A92lSl
1904 head Of cattle, valued at $751;
and S.3S5,G59 pounds Of lard, valued al
s2i3.374. More foreign vessels entered
this port last month than during any
previous month. The number Of vessels
that cleared for foreign ports was
/ fifty-four, and four fifths of these sailed
with complete cargoes from Newport
| News
Mr.. Leonard Sheetz, Jr., OF Hampton
and Miss Sadie Slater. of this city. were
married yesterday afternoon in this city
by Rev. f. T. Wexford, Of the Presby'
terrain church.