Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-01-12

| said as he had represented The coun-
ty and city both in having the annex
alton bill become a law in the legis.
| lature, he lit that he should offer his
services free in any legal contest that
might be- made against the act. he
explained the manner in which the
special act was passed and also how
another act was passed by The same
legislature. He thought the special
act thoroughly constitutional and had
little doubt OF the Validity of the act
under which the $lo0.uo0 bond issue
election was held. Mr. Cumming said he
does not think hat the city can elect
a mayor and council until June. 1912,
al hOlvh he said there Were att0r-
uCyS who disagreed with him He
Su%g, .HCi THAI the electoral board be
asked to refuse to order an election
and tina, an application be mad" to
the Supreme Court for nlandamuS
Imprllins the board 10 ACT This
could be accomplished in Il friendly
suit
Mr.. b. A. Lewis. who represented !
he board OF supervisors. after d." |
Claring that the matter was an I'M |
rurtant one. and expressing himself d,
as being OF the opinion that no el"r-
lion should be held this year, also vol, !
his services free in tn" |
event tha' tn" mandamuS proceed |
iI2s We're r'sorted to.
Mr.. c. Vernon Spratlev disagreed !
with the other attorneys as to ;h'' !
election of cOGncilmrn, but he said !
that there was som" DOUBT created in
his mind in the cas-" of the mayor.
Whether tn" MAJOR is chosen or not !
Mr.. Spratlry could not Sc" why In"
would hold over. He be-
li">"d tn" intent of tho act was 10
hav" The election occur this June
Mr. William G.. l.. Taliaterro. the
city attorney of Hampton. who drew
the special act. then made an adj
dress. Mr.. Taliaferro is of the Opin-
ion thai tn" election should have oc-
Cured last June and tuat the mavur
and councilmen will hold over there
fore until 1872. Mr.. Taliafcrro was
asked a nUmt' of pertinent IucS-
tons. which he answered according
10 the way in which he interprrts the
law.
Mayor hOrnton r. Jones. after de-
clarinc thai h.. wanted to know that
his acts were legal and he would not
desire 10 hav" the Office unless he
couli act in legal way. said that h"
expects to be a candidate for re-elcC-
ton whether the election occurs this
June or in June 1872. He thought the
should be submitted to the
Supreme court III the manner SuC-
ge.'ted by Mr.. Cumming.
Mr.. W. w Woodward member
Of the Hampton bar. addressed the
Mr. Woodward said il is
clear TO his mind thai the city should
elect mayor and councilmen next
Jnn". He had looked into the acts
and the law and h" had arrived at
this conclusion. Mr. Woodward said
he would volunteer his services in
the matter before the Su-
premc Court
Mr. John Weymouth an attorney
and member of the city council. sad
that as he was bone of conten-
ton he could not offer his service 5
Tree. because he was reminded of the
story CT the man who was his Own
attorne: and having a "fCol' as his
Client. Mr.. Weymouth has his views
N the matter. but he admits that he
is a Little "confused' too.
Messrs. Groomo. Hud2ins and Ma
son, the members of the electoral
board, Were present and II was stat
ed that the board would today official
" adopt resolution ueclining to or
der the general election next June
AMI that the application for the man
damus would be Immediately made
to The Supreme Court. Il
After this and much other discus
sion the motion to adjourn was put
and carried by the committee
During the meeting the best feeling
prevailed. except al one point. when
Mr. Taliaf"rro misunderstood Mr.. n.
n. Holt and took exception to The re-
marks of Mr.. Holt. Mr. Hollis ex-
PLANTATION that he meant no reflection