Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-09-06
|gzss;ae1@Aazzl;sslzz
SNNNNNANNNxNSzsvxNzaxHaszAAuN

lc elected, roads. "Thc conncilmcn
aud mayor shall compose the coun-
Gill; His contention Is that the
charter makes the distinction by set
ting forth that the "councimcn and
mayor" shall compose the council
Mr.. Fay S. Collich who Is II cand.
date for town attorney, asked TO he
heard and after some discussion he
was allowed to express an opinion.
Mr.. Collier agreed thoroughly with
Mayor Jones In his contention and
explained the provision of the charter
us liz interpreted them. lie said that
the distinction wat plain for the
charter said the ''councilmcn and
mayor shall compose tho council e
thus drawing tho distinction so ms to
finishing the mayor as a voting mem.
Der.
While Mr.. Collier was finishing his
talk Councilmen w. W. Richardson.
w. =. lsloy. r. j. Haskins and
George w. Rowe left the council
chamber, thus breaking the quorum.
| II was announced that the absence
OF four members did not break the
quorum and Councilman c. V. Sprat.
| ley stated that lie would leave the
room before he would agree with
such an opinion MS the last one.
Mayor Jones waited few minutes
and then he too left the room, to he
followed by Councilman Moore, Leo
and Schraudt,
There was Il largo crowd of spec.
tators standing on the outside of the
room and tho sensational action OF
Tho council caused considerable OK.
element.
The councilmcn for few seconds
discussed the best plan to be follow
Cd and II was finally determined To
return To the council chamber al
though Mayor Jones had left and gone
down town.
Returning to the room the council
men organized ly putting Mr.. Rich.
aMson In the chair and resolution
was then offered that the body adj.
journ, which was pesscd.
1t was said that while Mr. Owens
received all eight of the votes and
that OF tile mayor. that he Is not yet
| elected owing to the fact that the
trouble. which terminated Is the split,
came about before Mayor Jones an.
nonnccd the result of the ballot
Mayor Jones has hccn tho presiding
officer of the town council fot tho
past four years, but last night was
tho first time he has intmated that
he believed he was entitled
to n vote lie frankly told
the council that he had been adj
viscd as to his right by able attor.
noys.
Tho Issue is one that presents a
rather pretty question. especially rs
II Will give the mayor powers that he
has not heretofore possessed Attor.
ncy General Anderson will be asked
to give All opinion.
Anderson will be asked to give an
opinion.
The dispute last night is believed
to he only the forernnncr OF many
that are to be brought up in tho pres
ent council. Tho main issue lcforo
the council will he annexation and
each side is SO determined that
stormy sessions will mqucstlonably
he monthly occurrences.
After the council meeting Mayor
Jones said that he did not know
whether he was entitled to the vote
but that he had been advised. he was
and he proposed to have the matter
passed upon. He said that he had not
expected to vote unless tie came
ahont until he was advised OF his
rights.
The trouble in the council created a
real sensation and it is the first time
that the council in Hampton has ever
had such Il termination of business
session.
The council will have TO elect the
town clerk, town attorney. town ser
ecant and police officers at some lat
or date. but inst when n meeting will!
he held cannot he forecasted.
II was said last night that with
Mayor Jones voting rs n member of
tho council he would also have been
called upon TO vote to break dead
lock IN at least one of the contests
for offices
Old officers will continue In office
until their successors are chosen and
qualified
Another report in circulation last
night WIS that tho annexation council.
men had expected to start the fight
for Greater Hampton In the meet
Ing and that tho nntl-annexationis,s
Ut2nOvhreI fba now rowo,o