Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-23
NEWPORT NEWS.
NEW COMMONWEALTH ATToR-
NEY-TRADES UNIONS-DIS-
PLEASED, f
Especial to Virginlan-Pilot.)

1 N|PSSAeA ~ v II lOl.l
Newport News. Va, Jan. 22-Judgc
T. ]. Barham. Of the Corporation Court,
this morning appointed Clarence w.
Robinson Communicating Attorney, to
| fill the vacancy caused by the death
| of j. *. N. Newton.
This vacancy would have been filed
some time ago but for the fact that
His Honor was waiting for the Legis-
lature to separate the offices of Conn
monwealth's and City Attorney. There
were, In the beginning, four candidates
for the position-C. w. Robinson C. C..
Mitchell, c. Aylett Ashby and Colonel
j. c.. Baker. The last named. however,
Withdrew from the race, deeming 1t
best to give the younger man show.
Mr.. Mitchell was Endorsed by the
Democratic City Committee and the
Central Labor Union, the latter repre-
senting the allied trades unions. which
have, perhaps. four thousand votes.
TRADES UNIONS DISPLEASDD.
AS may be imagined, the fact that
their Endorsements were turned down
has not been received by either orpan-
lzatton With very good grace, and while
the many friends of MIR Robinson are
concentrating him. they realize that
they will have fierce fight at the May
election when he comes before the peo-
pie for nomination for the office at the
Democratic primaries. MIR. Mitchell
will be candidate for the nomination.
and there may be others in the field.
The chances are, though, that the fight
will be between these two.
Mr.. Robinson is n graduate of the
law school OF Washington and Lee Uni
versity. He is we'll known throughout
this end of the State, having always
been prominent in politics. He was
before the people last, 1t will be re-
membered, when he opposed Hon. d.
Gardner Tyler for the nomination for
the State Senate.
HOT CAMPAIGN ANTICIPATED,
The May campaign will be the hot
est ever experienced in this city. The
fight for the NTayoralty is likely to be
exceedingly bitter. The present Mayor,
A. a. Moss, will be a candidate for re-
election. Who his opponent will be is
not announced. but there Is hardly n
doubt that the fight for the nomination
will be three-cornered one.
Since the salary OF the office has beet
doubled, a man will not have to be 1,
millionaire. to take 1t, though even now
the money paid the Mayor Is not mag
nificently plentiful.
Probably. after all, the most exciting
contest will be for the position of City
Sergeant. which is the latest Of the
three. At present there are three can
didates in the field. all Democratic.
1t cannot be said whether the Repub-
leans will make stand. The matter
us under consideration" II an open
ing presents itself they will probably
put I'D one or more men. Republican
action is largely dependent on future
conditions. Should there be any indie
pendent Democrats in the field the Re-
publican leaders will hardly neglect the
opportunity.
A NEW FACTOR.
The most recent factor in Newport
News politics is one OF the most innu-
entail. 1t is the Hebrew Club, thxt was
formed not long ago. Its membership
comprises every Hebrey voter in the
city, and, as may be imagined, such
cooperation will undoubtedly count foa
much. especially in view OF peculiar
local conditions.
THE BATES ACQUITTED.
Ben Bates, acquitted Saturday of the
charge OF numbering Charles It. Will
kerson, has returned to Fort Monroe
after an absence OF nine months, spent
in Jail here awaiting the issue of his
case. Ills battery is now in the Phil
ippines. where his brother is fighting
for the Stars and Stripes Ben wishcs
to rejoin the battery and will probably
| do so.
Rev. J. William Jones. d. D., preach
ed n magnificent sermon at Hampton
Baptist Church last night to an in,
mense congregation on the life OF &c.
eral Robert =. Lee-"The model man
of the centuries All of the Confed-
crate Veterans in this section attended,
the Hampton camp going In a body