The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-05-09
WAsHINGTON ITEMS.
WAsHIHGroN, Nav 8

WASHINGTON, May 3.
A distinguished army officer mentioned
this morning, as q fact, that there is now
telegrsphic communication between Ms-
con, Ga, and Washington, some of the
line passing through Georgia, North Caro-
lima and South Carolina, where we have
no troops.
He also stated that the same wires which
we're but recently used by the rebels are
now employed in transmitting the Presi-
dents proclamation, offering rewards for
JEFF Davis and others.
The Navy Department continues to re-
ceive and accept the resig n alton Of volun-
tser officers. OF the number who entered
the service at the commencement of the
rebellion, 500 we're dismissed for drunken
ness, which was prevalent ofense.
The Treasury Department is making az
rsngements TO pay all back indebtedness,
including srresrages and bounties to the
army.
Inc Navy Department will soon sell q
navy of wooden vessels, which were pur-
chased to meet pressing contingencies.
The trial of Benjamin j. Harris, mem.
bsr of Congress from Southern Maryland,
WAS resumed to-day at II o'clock, before
the court martial specially organized for
the purpose, of which Msjor General Fos-
ter is President and Major Winthrop
Judge Advocate. The court having been
called to order by the President, the &C
cused read the following paper, which he
asked the court 10 file:
Mr.. President of the Commission:
The undersigned respectfully states to
the Commission here that he has been sd-
vised by counsel, since the commencement
of this trial, and since he plead to the
charge and specifications, that he ought TO
have made formal exception to the ju-
risdiction of this tribunal to take cog
nizsnce of the charge which is here made
against him, and which said charge ne
has been required to answer here; and he
respectfully further suggests, that whilst he
could hardly hope by any views he might
be able to present in support OF this excep-
ton to induce this honorable court TO sus-
tain the same in the teeth of various de-
cisions in support of the Jurisdiction of
similar tribunals in like cases, and TO which
decisions, in support Of similar tribunals
would accord the highest aud controlling
respect, yet he is advised that suggestions
of want of Jurisdiction made at any time
in any manner, however informal, will for
all ulterior purposes be equally rs available
as if the came had been made by formal
ples, or in some other appropriate mode.
The under signed therefore respectfully
asks the benefit of the exception, which he
desires to be made parcel of the record
taken to the jurisdiction Of this tribunal
The undersigned respectfully further states
that he has been advised, and that he
respectfully suggests that two specifications
to the charge against him are not true, nor
does either of them show an Ofsnse en-
braced in either clause of the 56Lh Article
of War.
No such facts are alleged a. would or
could, if proven, TO such ofense or any
crime made punishable under said article;
and he hopes that he may have Hll the
bene Fl OF all exceptions to said speciacs-
tiOns, as if he had in effect demurred to
some and to each of them respectively.
The undersigned does not ask permission,
at this stage of the trial, to be heard in
support of these exceptions, but respect
fully asks that this paper may be received,
and made part of tho proceedings of the
case, to avail hereafter in such manner as
Justice and light may require.
TS;gned1 BENG. HARRIS.
The Judge Advocate said he had no
objections to the receipt of the paper and
it was accordingly filed. Mr.. Crane,
Counsel for the defendant demurred
against the specifications, rem srking that
no particular house wss named therein
in which accused is charged with harboring
men. Mr.. Crane, however, deferred press
the point at the present time.
The accused then offered as evidence
General Order No. 72 of the War Depart
ment, giving transportation to rebels and
others to their homes.
Mr.. Harris stated that his witnesses had
not arrived, but it was important that
! they should be here. They would
probably arrive to-day but as they
| had somewhere near sixty miles
to trsve he would ask the court to grant
| him further time.
The Judge Advocate remarked that he
would have no objection to adjourn ing the
court until tomorrow if the accused would
make his proper affidavit relative to th'
witnesses.
The accused having filed the proper afh
davit, the court adjourned until 10 o'clocl
tomorrow,