The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-30
THE MIDDLE AT
NEWPORT NEWS
Els Aired Before the House Com
mittee of Counties, Cities
and Towns.

The old municipal fight of Newport
News was aired before the Committee on
Counties, Cities and Towns yesterday at
sernoon. A large delegation of citizens
were present and appeared before the
committee.
The committee met at 4 O'Clock. Hon.
T. c. Jordan presiding a number of
local bills of no special public interest
were taken up and reported favorably-
The bills having for their object the
amending Of the charter Of the city Of
Newport News were then taken UP. MIR.
Madison, the patron of the bills. asked
for postponement for one week, on be-
half Of gentlemen who had requested him
TO take this action. in order that they
might be heard.
1t was decided to partially consider the
bills and fix q time for their further con-
sideration.
Mr.. Madison said he had presented the
bills by request and had no interest in
them. He thought the sentiment of the
people Of Newport News was divided on
the question of changing the charter.
The first bill taken up was that provid-
ing for taking the election of a chief Of
police out of the hands of the Police
Board and placing it in the hands OF the
Corporation Court.
Mr. Z. Z Ford, member of the Common
Council, presented a resolutio of the
Council praying that no change be made.
Mayor w. II. Sands. counsel for Mayor
Moss, stated that a petition along the
same line (Which he read from the City
Democratic Committee asked that the
bills be not passed.
Mr.. E. s. Robinson presented resolu-
lions along the same line from the Third
Ward Democratic Club.
Mr.. J. 3. Clinedinst read similar reso-
buttons from the Central Democratic
Club.
Rev. T. Benton Hill, president of the
Law and Order League of Newport News.
presented resolutions from his organiza-
lions asking that the bills be not passed.
The resolutions of this body Were highly
euloEistic of the present officers and took
strong ground against any change Mr.
Jill made a strong speech in presenting
The resolutions.
Hon. A. a. Moss, mayor of the city
of Newport News. was next heard He
said he came to oppose a move which
meant legislation in the interest of a few
as against the many, and that it was non
Democratic and should not prevail. He
paid his respects to the Business Mems
Association, which he said was behind
the bills. and said they did not represent
The wishes of the people of Newport
News. lie said The Business Mems Asso-
ration had never given sound advice
vaccination some years ago on the ground
of unnecessary expense. and smallpox
grew from fifteen to 700 cases as soon as
vaccination was stopped. He appealed TO
The committee not to recommend the bill
fayorably.
Mr.. Robinson then presented petition
signed by twenty-five of the twenty-siX
police officers Of the city asking that the
bills be not passed Mr.. Robinson then
made a strong speech, in which he re-
viewed the old municipal fight from its
inception, and said the bills sought to
strengthen old antagonist of Mayor
Moss who had been often whipped at the
polls. He scored the Business Mems As
ISOLATION and said the body was com
posed Of Mckinley Republicans and
Palmer and Buckner Republicans. He
appealed to the committee not to recon-
mend the bills favorably.
Mr.. Ford again speaking for the Coun-
rii. expressed the hope that none of the
bills would be reported until the Council
had first had an opportunity 10 pass upon
them.
Major ". II. Sands was next heard, anu
spoke along the same line with great