Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-03
COUNCILMAN ON TRIAL
FOR SOLICITING BRIDE
to Drive Horse Business Away
From Newport News.
CROWD FILLS COURTROOM
Officials OF Norfolk Chamber OF Com
mercc Tell OF Offer Made to Them
to Transfer Business to Norfolk.
Sol Miller Involved.
Especial to The Timea-Dispatch.I

NEWPORT NEWS. VA. March =
Details of the alleged proposition made
TO officers OF the Norfolk Chamber OF
Commerce by Councilman l.. g. Cox
and Sol Miller, a well-known local in
surance agent, whereby they offered TO
drive the horse shipping business away
from this city for the sum OF $4,000.
were brought out at the trial OF Coun-
Gilman Cox on charge Of soliciting
bride here to-day. The case is being
heard by Police Justice IT. ]. Christian.
and because OF the large crowd on
hand to hear the evidence. sessions of
the court arc bctng held in the Corpo-
ration Court room.
The principal witnesses to-day were
Assistant Secretary c. r.. Hope and
Secretary w. a. Cox. OF the Norfolk
Chamber OF c 'nmerce. Mr.. Hope was
the first with. -. called. He said Oh
February II he received telephone
message from Sol Miller, with whom
he had already been in previous con-
ference. over the securing OF contra cts
for Norfolk for snip space for 60 600
head OF cattle. which Miller said he had
secured from the English government.
He said Miller stated over the tele
phone that something Of interest had
developed in the horse situation. and
asked him to come to Newport News.
fie said he came over thinking II was
the same matter on which they had
been talking When he reached MIL
ler's office. he said. tho other man who
was TO meet them there was not pres
ent. and an engagement was made for
3:i5 o'clock that afternoon.
cox OFFERS TO MOVE
BUSINESS FOR $4,000
When he returned ut that time, he
said. he met Councilman +. c. Cox, who
Immediately went into the matter by
stating that i.r $4,000 / will move
the horse business TO Norfolk. l have
the health officer with me. and he will
make a statement that the horse trade
| is menace TO the health of the COM
munity. ! also will have an ordinance
passed through the City Council, by
paying sufficient members. making the
business nuisance"
| The witness said he told the council
man he was not Interested in any such
proposition. and did not thank him for
putting him In the position of Offering
br!be, and said he was not authorized
TO spend any money. and II he was, not
a cent would go for "bloua money"
Miller. he said. was present, but
announced that he was not interested
in the 5000 proposition, but was In
! terested only In getting the feed con-
! tract.
on cross-eSamination by Captain
/ BeTkeley. the witness stated that Nor
folk from the beginning Of the ship
ments wanted part OF the trade, but
aid not want contracts that had already
been secured by Newport News. such
as offered by Miller on January IL.
FIRST PROPOSITION OFF
HE ASKS FOR ONLY 500
He said on February 90 Councilman
! Cox came to his office in Norfolk and
In the presence of Secretary w. A. Cox.
said: Thnt proposition l made last
week Is all of. L want 5000 now to pay
men Tor circulating petitions protest
ing against the continued shipment of
I horses through Newport News" and
said TWO were being circulated now.
one by prominent business man and
one by prominent merchant ct want
10 pay them slOo apiece" and conclud-
ed ny saying This is no d-n graft"
On February 25. no said, Sol Miller
came to Norfolk very much unset. and
accused him OF having given out the
story Hope said he denied this and
was told by Miller that he had better
keep his man Cox quiet. The witness
said Miller said to him:
know this man Cox imeaning the
| Counciirlan). He IL d grafte-
and I have been using him and don't
want to get in bad so I can use him
again"
The next-witness called was Score
tary w. \. Cox, OF the Norfolk Cham
her OF Commerce
Replying to question, Secretary
, Cox said:
WAC introduced to Mr.. Cox on
9oruary 30 He stated several times.
That proposition OF last week Is all
of took IT that he referred to tho
proposition made Mr.. Hope
He said he had another proposition
he wanted us 10 pay 5000 10 men cir
cuiating petitions to drive the horse
trade away from Newport News.
lie said ne would introduce reso
luton TO drive the business away. Nc
stated that Mr.. Kelsey and DIR. Pref :
low would testify that the shipments
OF horses was injurious" Kelsey IS
superintendent OF health and DR.. Pref
| low health officer
| He said that he expected nothing
else from MS. but our aid In securing
the feeding contracts IL the business
was driven to the Norfolk side