Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-11-25
Measure Offered by Mr.. Bufcher
Gives Owners Opportunity to
Redeem Captured Dogs.
ALL FAVOR hiUZZLlNG Feature
Another Special Meeting of Common
Council Probably viii Be Called TO
Finally Dispose of Troublesome
Questionable. MueIer Emphatically
Refused to Attend Session.

The board of aldermen tackled The
dog-muzzling question last night,
special meeting called for the purpose
being attended by five OF the eigb-
members. After declining to concur
i'll the ordinance adopted by the COM
mon council Monday night, the board
ny unanimous vote passed new met
sure, which promises to meet with the
approval Of the lower branch and to
satisfy the people who are clamoring
for the muzzlng of dogs.
The special meeting was called by
President Marquis Jones for 1870
o'clock last night, but when that hour
arrived there was not a quorum pre-
sent. 1t was after o'clock before tho
necessary five members reached the
hall. Those present were, President
Jones, Messrs. III. -. Walker. NJ. w.
Gayle, l.. Sumpter Davis. and A. Il
Burcher. Mr.. Il. W. Robinson is III
Baltimore and Mir. w. w. Harwood has
been ill with fever for two weeks.
Mr.. j. j. Mugler was in the city, isht
when the sergeant-atarms went aitSH
him he sent very emphatic message
to the president to the effect that he
did not intend TO come to the meeting.
After the call and the ordinance
adopted by the common council had
been read, Mr.. Walker moved that the
action of the lower branch be not
concurred In. Speaking in support CT
his motion, Mr.. Walker said that he
believed there should be some amend
ments to the ordinance and that there
was some doubt in his mind about the
legality of the meeting of the common
council at which the measure was
adopted.
Col. Jones left the chair to speak
against the motion, holding that the
aldermen had nothing to do with the
question of whether OF not the meet
ing of the lower branch was illegal.
He urged the necessity OF immediate
action upon this matter and advised
that proper amendments be made and
the ordinance sent back TO the COM
mon council. He went on to say that
his colleague, Mr.. HarwOod, had sent
word that he was very much in favor
of 'muzzling the dogs"
Mr.. Burcher spoke in favor OF Mr..
Walkers motion. He declared that
time could be saved by adopting q
new ordinance and sending it to the
common council.
When vote was taken, the presi-
dent was the only member to vote
nay, the other four voting for Mr..
Walkers motion.
Mr.. Burcher then offered new ordi-
nance, which was practically the same
as the one adopted by the common
council except that it provided that
dogs found OH the street without muz-
zles should be taken up and held for
five days instead of being killed with
out giving the owners an opportunity
redeem them. The measure imposed
fine of not less than So nor more
than $25 upon anyone allowing dog
more than four weeks old To appear
on the street without a muzzle, unless
the animal be attached to some adult
person by chain or strap not more
than five feet long. 1t further pro-
vided that any animal bitten by
rabid dog be killed.
The question of whether or not the
rules should be suspended TO adopt
the ordinance was raised. The pres;-
dent held that it was not necessary
TO suspend the rules, but nevertheless
the roll was called and all five mem
berS voted 10 suspend the rules. This
vote amounted to nothing, however.
as it requires twothirds of all the
members TO suspend the rules.
vote was then taken upon Mr..
Burcher's ordinance and it was una.
nimousy adopted.
leading member of the common
council said last night that a special
meeting of thai body would he held
next week to act upon the measure
adopted last night.