Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-09-13
Fourth Ward Voters Indignant Be-
cause Petition Wasn't Presented.
WANTED M. HEsTWO0B CHOSEN
Former Mayor Richardson Circulated
the Paper and Makes a Statement
in Which .4c Gives His Reason for
Doing so-Why Rowe Objected.

quite number or the voters III
the Fourth ward arc inccnscd over
the action of Councilman George W.
Rowe In refusing To receive Il petition
asking him To vote for the retention
OF Town Clerk William 4. Wostwood
According TO the claims OF the gen
tlcincn Interested in the circulation
OF the paper 3S out of the - quail
fled voters in that ward signed the
petition, but when 1t was presented
to Councilman Rowe he refused to
accept the paper or listen to its con-
tents. Tho voters requested him to
cast his ballot for Mr.. Wcstwood
The petition was circulated by
Former Mayor J. W. Richardson and
MIR. Isaac Wheeler. while Mr.. r. L..
Tennis was designated as the man
to present 1t to Mr.. Rowe.
Mr.. Rowe informed Mr.. Tennis that
he could not accept the petition. ut
the same time explaining to Mr.
Tennis. that SO far as Mr.. Tennis was
concerned lie Rowc) meant no per-
sonnl reflection in refusing to receive
the paper. The voters contend that
he should have received the petition
regardless of whether the prayers of
the voters would have changed his
position or decision in the matter
lat issue.
1t Is understood that MIR. Rowe OBJ
jcctcd to the petition on the ground
that it came from outside Interference
as former Mayor Richardson Is not
Il voter in the Fourth ward.
The following explanation of the
petition was given to the Daily press
yesterday by Mr.. Richardson:
Having heard of much talk pro
and con In regard to that Fourth
ward petition to their councilmen,
] think ii is right and proper tnat
the exact status of the case Should
be known.
MANY, | have no doubt, think II
was like almost all such Instruments
endorsed by some and refused by
others. | WAS prompted to use every
honorable effort for Mr.. Wcstwood' s
election based upon the fact of his
superior ability coupled with my re.
gard for him MS Il member of Same
company in war having stood by
his side when his arm was shattered
by "A shell ana forever disabled.
II asccrinincd that the councilman
-one ut least of said ward. was
anxious To know aud willing to do the
bidding of his constituents. | adj
vised with Mr. Westwood and urged
him ut once TO circulate n petition
and endcavor To secure. if possible.
the signatures of Il majority of the
primary voters.
He did so. assisted by Mr. Isaac
Wheeler and myself. We secured in
a few hours the enthusiastic endorse
mont and signatures of IS residents
and voters OF the ward. while the
primary returns show vote OF 80 .
Only one refused to sign.
"The petition was II request that
their representatives, vote for w. II.
Westwood for Town Clerk of Hamp.
ton After the petition was in proper
shape ! enclosed and handed it to a
prominent citizen of the ward men
toned, requesting him to hand it to
one of the counclmen of the ward.
am told the paper is still In pos
session of this gentleman. The coun-
Gilman refusing to look ut IT, A du-
plicate about the same hour was
handed Ia the other representative,
who received il with thanks.
This is the exact status OF the case
notwithstanding any other reports in
circulation. | want the sun to shine
on my grave whenever me or mine
shall desert the trembling Confederate
soldier"
j. w. RICHARDSON"