Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-10-26

Mr.. Cox had misrepre scented the re-
suits of the election TO the Trinidad
people by saying that he had carried
every ward in the city. Mr.. Cox sad
that he had received that information
from the newspapers the day follow
ing the election.
Councilman Cheadle said that MT.
Cox might be guilty. but that the
grand jury must find him guilty be-
lore he would believe Il. So lar as
he is concerned. he said. he knew
that he was innocent and that he
didn't take anything in the letter TO
reflect on him.
Enough to Vote On"
Mr.. w. +. Jones declared that ne
didn't take the references in the let
ter TO himself in any sense. but that
if he had written the letter he would
think thai he was guilty. Mr.. Whit
lev said practically the same thing
and added that the letter wa enough
evidence for him 10 vote on.
Upon the request Of Councilman
Ford. Mr. Massie read the charges
again and explained the terms mis-
feasance" and "malfeasance.' The
former. he said. meant failure OF
an officer 10 perform duty: the lat
ter meant for an officer to do evii
knowingly
The vote on the molten to adopt
the charges was put and carried. FOUR
teen to one, Mr.. Cox voting for their
adoption. Councilman Wallace was
excused from voting because OF MS
nomination as the candidate for con-
stable. The vote: Ayes-Boilng.
Christie. Cox, Davis. Fellows. Ford.
Hutehcns. Harris. w. l.. Jones. ID. >.
Jones. W. A. Spruill. w. e. Spruili,
Via. and Whitley. IA; nay-Cheadle, l.
No Limit on Counsel.
Mr.. Cox said that he was repre-
scented by counsel and would ask thar
his attorney be heard. Mr. Harris
moved that the council Attorney Fay
S. Collier. of Hampton, be heard, but
that he be limited to thirty minutes.
Mr.. Christie moved TO amend so as
to limit the time 10 fifteen minutes
Mr.. Ford and others objected 10 any
limit and the time limit was with
drawn and the attorney was granted
the privilege.
In opening the defense Mr.. Collier
read the charges. explained the mean
ing of the charges of ''msfeasance
and MALE asance. and said his client
pleaded not guilty. He read the law
CT Virginia relating TO the dism ssaa
of public officers frorl Office and the
city charter relating to the removing
of councilmen from office.
After some preliminary proceedings,
Councilman Cox was sworn by CITY
Clerk Hudgins and occupied a seat
facing the council and the immense
crowd gathered in the court room
Examination of Cox.
Mr.. Collier began his examination
of Mr.. Cox by handing him the copy
of the. letter to Mr. Bramley and re-
questing him to explain it. Mr.. COX
said that he had a conversation with
Mr.. Bramley in May and lhSt the paw
ing man asked him to go to Roanoke
I'm his behalf and promised to send
, him 500 with which to defray his
expenses or the trip. In respone TO
a question. he said that he was going
to Roanoke TO try to secure con-
tract fer the paving company in chat
city.
Have your any letters. kilograms,
etc. from anyone in Roanoke relat-
ing to this contract?" asked Mr. Col
lier
Yes" replied Mr. Cox and he pro-
duced the following telegram:
Roanoke, Va. June is, 1909.
e. C. Cox,
Newport News, Va.
Bids received June 10 on tar maca-
dam. granolithic ard sewer.
+. fSigned) w. B. BATES"
City Engineer.
Why was this telegram sent your
asked Mr. Collier
Il was I'D there in December and
talked with the engineer and told
him ! expected to come up an6 he
/ said that he would give me square
deal. Later Mr.. Pramley came here
ard asked me about going UP the re
and he said he would send me my
expenses. I was TO wire him few
! days later when to meet me. Then |
, got the letter saying he was in Sagi-
! nav. Michigan" replied Mr.. Cox.
! Was there any other kind Of work
Mr.. BramIey wanted you to do?" ask
cd the attorney.
More kilograms introduced
Yes. In Lynch5urg. I had letters
from other people where did 60"
| Here Mr.. Cox produced two more tele-
gram. which were admitted as evil
dence. They are as follows: