Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-07-17
ClTY'S FIRST MAYOR.
Bow Mr. W. A. Post Has Been Identified
with the Progress OF Newport News.

one OF the busiest men in NewDort
News is eN-Mayor Walter A. Post.
general manager of the works of tho
Newport News Shlpbuuding and DRY
DOCK Company, ana. too he is one OF
the city most progressive citizens
taxing Il lively interest in everythlns
pertaining to the public welfare.
MI. fust Is a pioneer settler of the
Golden Gate of the A,lantic" Eigh-
.een years ago he came here from New
iofk 70 supervise the construction OF
tns wllarves for the Chesape &.
ONO railway Company. AT that time
Newport News was a place in name
! only The city was not layed off IN
Slreets. 1t was but hamlet. The
piers We're built. Then Mr.. Huntinp1on
conceived the idea of establishing a
shlpbullding plant on the James river,
MI. fost assisted III this work. after
WARDS becoming consulting engineer for
the company. When the city was laid
out Mr. Post aided in the work. Later
ne Dullt the water works plant During
TINS time Mr.. Post held various offices
ct trust which We're bestowed upon
nsm Without solicitation. For some
YEARS he served as magistrate Of the
village He grew: up with the town.
always taking a leading part in move
mems tending To promote the public
welfare When the First National
sank was established Mr.. Post became
elected president of this institution
which position he now holds.
The immense dry dock which Mr.
Huntington proposes to build at n:
cost OF 81. 0po000 was designed by Mr..
/ Post. For the last five wears he has
| been studying this branch of the science
ol engineering and his plans have been
approved by experts throughout the
country When completed il will be
the largest basin in America and proh-
aoly IN the world. Since he took charge
ol a1faiiS at the shipyard there has
been marked improvements in the sva.
lem. never saw the yard as clear
AS 1t is now, was the remark mad,a
by Mr.. Huntington when commencing
on tns plant OF which he is the pr1n-
| cipll owner
| Three years ago Newport News be-
came an Incorporated city with Mr. Post
as mayor. and at the ensuing election
ms h"nor was again chosen as The
| city chief magistrates, his late term
expiring the first of the month. Es-
MAYOR Post declined to allow his mans.
| 70 he. used as Il candidate for re-eiec-
tlen. rs he had succeeded Mr.. som
NlerS ~ smith as general manager OF
! he shipyard and could not devote any
time 7" The duties of the office.
AS mayor of Newport News Mr..
| Post took, as he was wont to do. an
active part in municipal affairs. In
! 'r''tinG y series OF public improve
| ments- It was during his administra-
tlnn tina; bonds to the amount of $40.
'M were issued for the purpose OF
| putting down a system of sewerage and
rect ting school buildings and a jail.
These much needed improvements Mr..
| tost urged from time to time in his
| messages to the common council. Be
| "g an nXpert civil engineer Mr. Posts
| knowledge Of that science was inyalua-
| Bile to the city in deciding on the
sewer system to be adopted. Among
| "" other improvements advocated by
Mr.. Post was the building OF viaducts
| across the railway tracks thus con-
| Meeting the two sections OF the city,
| and before. his term or office exnired
I he signed the ordinance nuthorzins
| he Issuance OF bonds to the amount
| Of 100000 to be applied to these i'm
| movements. Outside capi.al was at
| fE.cted to Newport News during his
| asst administration and. as y result,
! I gas rlant has been established here,
and street railway company has beer,
! Granted q franchise for LAYING tracks
"n the principal thoroushfares of the
| city :
| All o. this has occurred since Mr..
""St set foot in the town in the fall
| Hf 1850 No mar entovs the esteem OF
! ne 'oeonle ~ n craate~ a~tert than
1~-NF a"or Walter A. Post, FTe is a
""''''""'an. a scholar and thorough
business man.