The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-01-28
ORDINANCE
WAS VETOED
Mayor Moss on the Proposed
Chaln-gang Legislation.
ANOTHER COUNCIL FIGHT
Great Interest and Much Discussion If
Newport News Over the Matter.
Chinese Are Fined for Selling
Liquor on Sunday.
Especial to Tho Times .Dlspatch.)

NSpeclhl 10 Iho ulmeS.DlSpatch)
NEWPORT NEWS, VA, January 81
Mayor Moss to-day vetoed the ordinance
recently passed by tho City Council abol-
ishing the custom OF working prisoners on
the streets with balls and chains attached
to their legs, and providing that only male
prisoners over sixteen years OF age, con-
Nicted of larceny, wife-beatirg, carrying
concealed weapons and VaErancy be
worked. His Honor's reason for this ac-
titl was that he did not think 1t allowed
the police justice and the taller to use
enough discretion: that certain classes Of
prisoners who really should be worked
would be allowed to remain in jail in
idleness. The Mayor has always believed
that the chain gang, when properly
handled. Is great institution, and that
to do away with it would he to I'LL the
city with tramps and vagabonds who
have heretofore been kept sway because
they were afraid of tho balls and chains.
The Mayors action Will cause the great
fight which occurred at the last Council
meeting to be fought over again. The
labor element In the Council Is opposed to
the working of prisoners on the streets In
any way: others favor working then,
without balls and chains. and some are
In favor Of working the gang practically
as 1t has been worked in the past.
1t Is expected that another attempt to
abolish the gang entirely Will be made,
and It Is probable that tho labor cle-
ment will find 1t easier to carry their
pcint than they did before.
The chain gang question is talked Of
on every corner and In tke homes, and
the general public is anxious to have 1t
settled in one way or another.
CHINESE FINED.
Justice Brown to-day fined Jim Lee, the
old Chinaman, whose grocery store and
alleged speak-easy wGs ralded Sunday
night by the police, $50 and costs for
selling liquor without license. The other
twelve Celestials who were found in the
place were each fined S4.50 for being dis
orderly.
Charlie Que. tho Christian Chnnmnn.
who testified that he bought liquor in the
place, testified In court to-day that the
others had threatened to kill him If he
gave evidence against them. Tho cases
were all appealed to the Corporation Court
by Attorney T. S. Collier, of Hampton.
who represented the prisoners. Several OF
the Cinnamon arrested In the place have
been identified as professional fan-tan
players from Norfolk and Hampton.
SET FOR TRIAL.
THE Circuit Court convened hero to-day
for the January term. Judge Blackstone
called his docket for the term this morn
ing and set a number Of important cases
for trial a small chancery case was
disposed Of this afternoon.
NOT THE SHENANDOAH.
The local office OF Furness. Witty and
Company, agents of the Chesapeake and
Ohio Steamship Company, received infor-
nation tonight to the effect that the
steamer which went down off Holyhead
yesterday was not the British steamer
Shenandoah.
Judge Barham In tho Corporation Court
latc this afternoon. tried the appeal case
or Jim Lee, the Chlnaman who was ar
| rested on the raid Sunday night on the
charge Of selling liquor without license
Tho Judge did not SUSTAIN the decision
OF tho lower court, but fined Lee $12.7;
| under the State law and Sl2.bu under the
city ordinance for selling liquor without
license. and fined him $3.50 under the city
ordinance for keeping disorderly hour
]. A. Camalich. an Austrian employe,
at tho shipyards. Is being searched for BY
the police. Tho man disappeared Satur
| day night. and 4 negro woman who saw
| him fighting under one Of tho coal piers
| with several negroes Is the only one the
police can find who knows anything about
| him. The police think the man was muir.
/ dercd and thrown overheard. He Is known
to have had money in his possession wher
lie started from his clearinghouse.