Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-09-20
THE DATE IS SET
For the Trial Of Health Officer
j. R. Bagby, Suspended.
NOTICE SERVED BY MAYOR
Those Who Know Anything About the
Case VIII Report to the Court House
Next Tuesday Evening. Some
Of the Circumstances.
NOTICE SERVED BY MAYOR

Vat last a definite date has been set
TO the trial OF DR.. ]. r. Bagby, health
officer of the city.
This trial will be held BY the mayor
in his office in the courthouse next
Tuesday evening at 1880 o'clock.
His Honor yesterday had the follow
Ing notice served:
"Sewport News, Va, Sept 10, SO
At my office in the courthouse OF
this city at 80 O'clock P M Tyesdav.
September 26th, 1899, DR.. John r. raa-
proceedings for his removal from the
office OF health officer of this city upon
the ground OF misconduct in Office sad
neglect OF duty in issuing passes du,lnas
the quarantine and allowing people to
come into the city.
All persons that Will appear at that
time having any knowledge of any such
misconduct III Office or neglect OF duty
will be heard.
"a \. MOSS, Mayor"
The circumstances attending the sus-
pension Of Dr. Bagby from oifi>e ? 200
wei! known to need recalling. Che af-
fair occurred at a time when excite
ment ran high and the public safety de-
manded immediate and stringent meas
ures. he people were under the i'm
preston that their safety and the safe
~ OF their families was being triled
with and even bartered away. They
demanded the resignation Of the neaitn
officer and the appointment of man
who could take care Of the situation
and of the people
Or. Bagby refused to resign demand
Ing an investigation. AT the time ne
was totally unEreparcd to defend han
sci ~
him, and. moreover. it is doubtful
whether he could have received an ab-
solutely fair and impartial tlial when
feeling was SO strong against him.
The mayor, accordingly. suspended
DR.. Eaghy indefinitely, appointing DR.
Eiobson In his stead, and promising to
give DR.. Baghy a trial as soon S mi snt
be proper.
The council committee found that Or.
Hasby had been extremely careless in
the management OF his office, bur did
not find that he had done anything OF
a criminal nature
In the course Of time the yellow fever
eituation was disposed OF and Or. Hob
son, who had served during that period
without pay. resigned.
The position had to be filled tempo
rarily again. For the position there
lilSIe were Two CanCluat ties, Or. Greasy
and DR.. Ayler. the former winning 1t
was understood that in the event Of
the Anal Diminishing Of DR. Bagby from
office. the physician securing the posi-
ton of acting health officer would te-
come the permanent health officer
This understanding is merely a tact
one. but will, without doubt, hold good
Should DR.. Bagby remain in office
however. Or. Greasy will OF course,
step down and out This DR.. Greasy
will do with good grace, for he has no
desire to hold the office If DR. Bagby is
entitled to it: quite to the contrary.
But II DR. Greasy becomes permanent
health officer, then his position as
physician to the poor and to the Jail
Will be vacated and will have to be MI
ed by the council. Or. -Ayler is tl.e
only physician who has been mentioned
Tor the place. which he is en;nently
qualified to flll. His friends are assur-
cd OF his success. However there is
much that may happen between this
end the time for the selection Of 8
physician to the poor. Other aepirants
Will probably arise
In the meantime the situation is in
statu quo.