Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-08-25
Successor 10 Or. Bsgby Choseu
Over D. Jsffery By Majority
Of Two.
Mr.. pETzoKO's VOTE CONTESTED
Because Third Ward Alderman Holds
Position as Postal Clerk In His Drug
Store, His Right to Seat in Council
is observation-disclosures From Voting
at His Own Request.

Although Alderman X. c. Petzold.
OF the Third ward. was excused from
voting after DR.. Aaron Jefery had
contested the legality OF his seat on
the board of aldermen. only one ballot
was required for the city council, In
Joint session last night, TO elect q
health officer to succeed DR.. John X,
Bagby, Or. Thomas j. Pretlow being
named over DIR. Jeffery by vote OF
twelve to ten. Every member of both
branches was present except Council
n. Lee Davis, OF the Fourth ward
President Z. w. Robinson, OF The
beard OF aldermen. who has been Ill
for many months. hobbled into the
council chamber on a crutch.
All of the members in both branches
from the Second and Third wards
were lined up behind DIR. Pretlow IN
solid phalanx and, even though Coun-
Gilman Davis had been present ana
voted for Dr. Jeffery. which he might
or might not have done. the vote CT
Councilman Cheadle. of the First
ward, would have turned the tide OF
battle toward Ir. Pretlow. Expecting
Mr.. Cheadle. all OF the mem1ers pres
ent from the First and Fourth wards
voted solidly for DR.. Jeffery, the vote
resulting as follows:
For DIR. Pretlow-Cheadle, Christie.
Cox, Fellows. Harris. w. E. Jones.
Kellum, Lcngan. w. A. Spruill, Wal
lace. Weston and Whitley.
For DR.. Jeffery-Bclling. Ford.
Hutcheons. d. s. Jones. Nelms, Rea%.
Robinson. w. f. Spruill, Via and
West.
Makes Vote Unarimous.
When the result Of the balloting
was announced, someone moved Ior
adjournment and Immediately the
members from the Second and Third
wards made a demonstration. several
of them giving vent 10 their joy with
yelis and others waving their hands
and throwing their hats in the air.
With the storm OF enthusiasm at its
height. Councilman ID. S. Jones, OF
the common council. arose and, when
the presiding officer. Vice president
Caleb ID. West. of the board of alder
men, had restored some sembfance OIL
order. Mr.. Jones moved that the vote
be made unanimous. Had there been
a dissenting vote ii would have been
lost In the loud chorus OF Ayes" that
went up from the Pretlow adheren's-
When the roll had been called after
the Joint session convened and the
resignation of DR. Bagby accepted TO
take effect on September 1, Clerk
FLOYD Hudgins read two letters. which
were presented TO him by DIR. Jenery
last night. The letters were as fol-
lows:
Newport News. Va. Aug "A.
TO the Joint Meeting of the Board OF
Aldermen and Common Council,
Honorable Gentlemen
Feeling it my duty as an interested
party to bring 20 your attention any
matter that may effect the legality
Of this election ! respectfully call at
tention to the fact that Mr.. r. c. Pet
zold is not a legal member Of the
board OF aldermen. lie Virginia Code
1863. distinctly states that no person
holding a federal position can hold
State or municipal position. Mr.. Pet
gold at present holds a federal posi-
ton, consequently he is not a member
Of the board of aldermen.
Respectfully submitted,
(S;gned)
AARON JEFFREY.
Appended to the above letter was
the following letter and laconic reply
Newport News. Va, Aug. -.
MIR. W. T. Hopkins.
Newport News, Va.
Dear SIR
Il write to ask II Mr.. Y. c. Petzoid
sim holds the position as postal clers
at his drug store IN East End. An
early reply viii be greatly appreciat'
ed.
~YOurs truly.
sSigned)
AARON JEFFREY.