The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-07-02
HORFOLK'S new MAYOR
Capt. Mayo Highly CompIimentsd Mayor
Petit In Assuming His New Office.
CHARACTERISTIC INTERVIEW
The New Mayor Talks Abous the
Police Board Hut Will Not d.
yulge Stnse Secrets The APP
piicauts for Positions Take u
Deep Interest ina AHairA

The newly-elected Democratic off,
Gals took charge of the city yesterday.
Mayor Wyndham X. Mayo arrived at
the Mayors office little before 10
w. Petit, the retiring Mayor. made
his appearance. The greeting between
the two was most cordial one.
About two hundred applicants for
positions on the police force awaited the
arrival of the new Mayor, and rs soon
as ne arrived they began filing In to
hand In their applications.
The ceremony attending the turning
over of the seal OF the city was brief.
but impressive. Mayor Mayo advanced
to the retiring Mayor and said:
Your Honor:
Having been elected Mayor for the
next two years, and having duly quail
fled. ! am here this morning in accord
anCe with the wish of the people to
receive from your hands the trust which
has been so safely in your keeping for
the past two years. | accept the seal
of office with its implied responsibilities,
knowing fully that he who put,eth the
arnlor on may rot boast himself as he
who putteth II off. and vet. sir, | hope
enter upon my official duties as fully
imbucd with the spirit of good intent
us | know you did and that when the
time comes for me to surrender to some
other servant of the people this Office
may return to the people holding as
fast to their confidence as | believe
you do in your retirement.
II desire YOU to feel that while | am
the incumbent here you will ever be a
welcome guest, and. further. that il is
special pleasure TO me to feel that
am succeeding here n Democrat who
was too strongly inbued with the spirit
of popular government to be led into
q wild crusade against personal lib
erty and decency."
Mayor Petit fcclingly replied to
Mayor Mayo and wished the new ad-
ministration great success.
Mayor Mayo was then ready to enter
upon his official life as Mayor of Nor
folk.
His first official act was to swear in
his clerk. Mr.. j. u. Williams. Hardly
had he finished this before am appliCa-
ton was received from Officers Holiday.
Joyncs and Hamilton for permission to
so 10 Richmond to-day. The"three otli-
GERS are Confederate veterans, and they
wanted 10 take part in the parade at the
State cap!tal to-day The application
was not endorsed by Chief King. and the
Mayor ordered usa'. ii he submitted 10
that official for his approval. Chief King
signed 1t and the a,s!ied-for PERMISSION
10 leave the city was granted.
The Mayor was visited by Messis. Geo.
II. Dawes ana G. iSroeks Johnson. who
We're later in the day elected Police. Com
miss!oners, ai!d the three held consul
tation, a large crowd Of applicants for
positions surrounding the building ana
seeming to take great interest in every
movement made by the future custodi-
ans of the c!ty's morals
About IL O'clock Patrol officer Will
hanson came in and asked for leave to
go 10 Richmond. He was also accoinmo-
dated. after the Mayor had satisfied him
self that tae city had Il sufficient number
of bluecoats on hand to guarantee u
preservation Of the peace.
All day long yesterday applicants for
positions on the police force were bring
ing in their papers. Some were lengthy
and contained the names of many en-
dorsers, while others were very brief and
contained no endorsements. the appl.-
cants relying on their past records as
policemen as sufficient to give their APP
plicatons favorable consideration One
applicant was endorsed by a Norfolk
county official alone. In all. between 500
and 600 applications were received
Mayor Mayo talked for several minutes
with NirGinian reporter during the
| morning. but he was not at all commu-
NEGATIVE.
Can you say anything as to the con.
| duct or policy of the Police Depart
ment?" he was asked.
| The Mayor smiled 1t was one of
| those pleasant smiles for which he is
noted, and which he has used so often
recently on those who are willing 20
serve the city. 1t was smile which
faid plainly, I'm num-"
| 1T would hardly be proper for me
| 10 express the sentiments OF the Board"
| he said, before the Board is elected"
| 'Wher will the Board meet?" was
next asked.
We'll, really said the Mayor. that
same smile lowering over his face and
further emphasizing the fact that he can
| answer question without becoming
| offensive TO the questioner. that Is a
| question we have not yet discussad
You see, we have not yet elected the
| Board"
| will the meetings of the Board he
held behind closed doors, like some re-
| cent meetings." was asked
| Inc Mayors peculiar smile disapncar-
ed, ana he looked serious In firm tones
came the reply:
! No. sir. The Police Bolrd is q SER
want OF the people. and the people have
a right to know what they are dninr
| we nave no right 10 hold such sacre. saS-
| slonS Tor the transaction of publi,. hu.s
| ness. There may be times when wc do
sire TO hold private conferences hnt tha
| sessions OF the Board will no onan =.
| the press" "
While the Mayor will not discuss nro-
naDie appointments of the Board runno,
Is pusy making up states for the head
OF the force. 1t is said that Cantain
| venues now has the lead for CHIEF ond
| Imat captain Cuthriel will probable he
rrst Assistant Chief. There are many
! VINO peiieNe that Captain Laid viii he
apie TO secure the place of Second As-
l "A DO,