The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-03-16
THE McALEsTER 1NyEsr FIG ALTON.
The Board VIII Meet To-Day Mt the Al
Sters COurt.H6use.

sIers COurt-H6use.
The board met at 10 80 g. m. Yesterday
Present:
Gen. Simpson, Gen. Potter and Capt Torrey
The official letter from G. II. Elwell, master
OF the Essayons, was submitted, showing his
opinion Of the McAlester on May 10, 1877, and
suggesting that the side-arm of the McAles.
ter be Strengthened and the ship sent to South.
west Pass, and that she was the best boat fol
working hard bottom.
B.H. COOPER, ESQ,
Of New Orleans, chief clerk of Major Howell
was sworn as witness: Though he has
charge OF letters, yet, after examining the
files, he could not find and does not remem-
Der having seen the letter which Capt. r. FL
Hooper flor some ) ears captain Of the Essay
ons and McAlester) said he had written to
Capt c. w. Howell, dated some time In De
cember 1876, and reporting on the condition
of the McAlester.
MAJOR G. w. HOWELL,
of the United States Engineer Corps, in charge
Of improvements on the Gulf coast Missis-
sippi,. Louisiana and Texas, was sworn, aud
said, II do not remember having received the
letter referred to; always file such docu-
ments In charge Of Mr.. Cooper, who has been
my chief clerk for seven or eight years"
In answer to MI; Hughes communication
wrote to that gentleman that the board would
meet In Algiers to-day at 10 80. In the court
house. where any person can come forward to
testify about the McAlester and bring facts
with reference to the vessels condition.
The board has no legal authority to compel
the attendance of witnesses, and does not al
low any compensation to the witnesses,
MI. Hughes called on the board yesterday
and was handed the following statement from
MAJOR HOWELL,
to show to the men who would hesitate to
testify through fear Of not being employed In
the future by the Major:
Mr.. J. Hughes:
Sir authorize you to state to any witness
you may desire to present before the board
now Investigating the circumstances bearing
on the loss Of the United States dredgeboaf
McAlester, that I am desirous of drawing
out every available testimony, and shall con-
slider it personal favor If they will present
fully state what they may know bearing on
the subject Of the investigation. Any fear
that may exist, as to n-employment after
wards on works under my charge, is ground
less. l employ men on them as workmen,
G. W. HOWELL.
MR.. wIDLIAM doLDING,
tor of the Novelty Iron Works. Mr.. Leyangue
had been engaged by me to put up the Attain
tic Cotton Press previous to going on the
coast, where he had been severa! weeks. On
his return he asked me leave to take trip to
Sabine Pass on the McAlester. | told him to
be back in time to finish the press. was
personally acquainted with some of the Of
ticers in the engineers department. of the
McAlester, especially Messrs. Levangue,
Heep and Collins, whom | had always en-
ployed as mechanics since fifteen years.
Previous to the McAlester's departure I
spoke with them about the vessels condition,
and they expressed themselves fully satisfied
that the vessel was safe.
Mr.. Hooper, in his testimony yesterday,
said that the men knew the McAfester was
unsafe at sea, but preferred
TO RISK DROWNING
rather than to starve at home. This is false,
as the men could have got work at any time
In New Orleans as mechanics and were not
forced by circumstances to enlist on the Nc
Alester.
When Mr.. Golding's testimony was con-
cluded the board adjourned to meet to-day
Saturday in the Algiers courthouse at 10 80
q. m.