The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-24
law DOES NOT APPLY
/ TO CITIES OF STATE
Judge Martin SO Holds in De-
Gliding Furniture Case Against
Board OF Education.
BuRRus RELEASED ON BAIL
Little Doubt Felt That He Will
lie Promptly Acquitted--For
Fewer Saloons.
BURRUs RELEASED ON BAIL

4se'ttfIl1k. December 23.--1n TIL.
t.., ana Chnncery Court to-day Judge
w 'illam e. Martin rendered q decision
~ favor of tho city of Norfolk IN the
T ,s brought by the State Board OF
nu''ehtion to prevent the carrying ont
or a contract with IL Chicago firm for
tho desks Installed at the new ONO.
1undro street School, the state officials
canning that the contract had not met
WIN their approval. and that under the
State laws this is necessary.
The courts decision knocks out the
enforcement OF the law so far as cities
are concerned. Judge Martins ruling
that tho law governs only county
school, boards and gives tho city tic
right under existing laws to purchases
as they see tit. The court points out
that there are two statutes, one con.
trolling counties and the OTHER clties;.
and that the one referring to cities has
no such provision in reference to fur.
niture. Containing such, the two laws
would be identical.
The court further held that the State
Board at first interpreted the law as It
has done, sending notices of the pro-
vision only to county school boards.
and failing to send the notices to the
Norfolk City Board. the latter could not
be prevented from carrying out con-
tract already entered into. The do
cision sustains the previous ruling of
Judge Hanckel. AN appeal will be eu-
tered.
Burras out on Dali.
Creighton Burrus, who shot and
killed John Cramp, colored. at Lynn
was released to-day on nominal bail.
This was promptly furnished. The find
ing Of the .coroner's jury was that the
negro came to his death from gum
n Il tt,l 1.nv.
r re shotgun @9s IN ' the hands Nc Of Burrus.
Public sentiment Is In favor Of Bur-
rus and there is no doubt that he
will quickly receive his discharge by
Mrs, Burrus was even more than in
suited; that the negro attempted an
assault.
For Fewer Saloons.
The movement was yesterday. inau.
gurated in Norfolk for the reduction
of the number Of licensed saloons. The
sunday-schools of the city head the
The initial step was taken by the
Treemason Street Baptist Church Sun
cdna pa "a no ao hs n ass
of licenses for the next year to ex-
coed seventy-ilve. Other schools are
expected to join in the movement
1t Is further declared that the good
government faction in municipal poll
tics will make this a campaign issue.
expecting to secure the vote of the
church people.
Thieves at Work.
Thieves entered the residence Of Mr..
Nelson. 1903 Green street. Ports
mouth, some time during Sunday night
and got away with $500. II was one
of the boldest robberies ever COM
United in this section. The thief en-
tered the bedroom and ritIed his pants
pockets, lying on a chair not three
feet. from his head. So far as can
be discovered no supplying drug was
used. Mr.. Nelson did not discover his
loss until this morning when dress
ing. 1t is believed the robbery was
committed by some one who knew he
had large sum Of money on his per-
son.
w. w. Griffin. OF South Norfolk. and
a well-knoUn citizen, was dismissed
in the Police Court this morning on
the charge of burglary. He was ar
rested on suspicion. citizen point
ing him out to the police. 1t was
found that he was merely In that
section of the city searching for an
address about which he had been mis-
informed.