Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-14
NEWPORT NEWS MAYORALTY.
The Contested Case Called and Again
Continued.

NEWPORT NEWS. VA. July 13.-(Spe-
cIal)-The contest for the mayoralty OF
Newport News was opened this morning
at 10 o'clock in the Corporation Court,
Judge 7. ]. Barham presiding. The court
room was crowded with friends Of the
complainants and the contestee.
Mr.. A. c. Garrett, who represented the
interests Of Mayor Moss, presented to
the Court an acknowledgement petition,
asking Judge Barham not TO sit in the
case. but solicit the services OF another
Judge to hear the evidence. Mr. Garrett
stated that he did not intend TO cast any
aspersion on the Court by making such
a request but he thought that, In view
of the Courts intimate association with
all parties concerned, 1t would be put
proper that he relieve himself OF the
embarrassment OF rendering a decision
In such a case, ana appoint ahOlher JuoSc
TO sit in his stead.
Mr. II. G. Bickford, who, together with
Mr. r. NJ. Lett. has been retained by the
friends of ex-Mayor w. A. Post, raised
objections to the motion made by Mr.
Garrett and thought that the reasons
advanced by his friends for having an
other Judge sit In the matter were laugha-
bile and ridiculous in the extreme. Mr..
piclxford knew that Judge Barham would
form his decision honestly and from the
evidence as il was introduced In court,
and asked his Honor TO entertain no sucn
preposterous idea as was embodied in the
motion of the attorney for the other
side.
Judge Barham stated, after looking up
the law bearing on the case, that he be-
lieved he was justified in sitting, and ex-
messed his intention of so doing. He also
said that he understood why the attorney
for the contestee had made his notion
and was assured that no reflection upon
his own possible action was intended.
Mr. Garrett then asked for continual
ton of the cause, explaining that Judge
r. l., Henley, of Williamsburg, VINO had
been retained TO assist him in the contest
was I'll at his home. and was necessarily
prevented from being present TO go on
with the case. Mr.. Garrett read letter
from Judge Henley. and then asked that
the case be set for next Monday.
DIRECTED.
Mr.. Lett objected to a continuation.
he said that the entire criminal docket
of the court set for this week had been
transferred to next week, ana tnat the
counsel for the contestee was only spar,
ring for time. The Court had granted
n continuation, he said at the last term
of the court. on motion OF the attorney
for the other side, and had named To-Day
as the time for both parties to be pre-
nared TO go into an examination OF VIII
| nesses. He preferred that the case De
taken I'D at once, but If continuance
were granted. he did not see why the
| counsel for the contestee should want
whole week In which TO employ the SER
vices OF an associate. He thought one uaS
would be sufficient. He closed by again
asserting that his friend was only trying
10 make time. and asked that the Cour'
| eo into the case at once.
Judge Barham announced that ne wouiu
consider the motion, and render MS de
cision at 2 O'Clock. to which time recess
was taken. ~,
When the court recopVeneo' the Jus
stated that IL would be out or the ques'
tion TO think of granting a continuation
10 the time asked for by Mr.. Garrett III
would continue the case until wednesday
morning at 10 o'clock. Counsel tor th'
complainants raised no objections aho
court adjourned.