Morning journal and courier., 1881-06-15
A MtIftary Court.

SzF mAk1tary Court
The military court of inquiry for the trial
of Lieutenant Colonel Bacon under special
order from the adjutant generals headquar-
ters, based on charges preferred by Colonel
Graham, opened its work yesterday morning
in the Grays' armory. All the members of
the court were present viz: Colonel William
II. Tubbs, Third regiment, chairman Col
onel George s. Crofut, Fourth regiment;
Major Arthur L. Goodrich, First regiment;
Captain Abner L. sterry, Co. /, Third regi-
ment, and Lieutenant Samuel o.. Prentice
Go. K, First regiment. They were in full
| uniform. Besides these there were present
Judge Advocate Lynde Harrison, Colonel
Graham, Lieutenant Colonel Bacon, Adjutant
General Harmon, and as counsel for Colonel
Bacon, General William Randel Smith, Hugh
Daley and James I. Hayes. Judge Lynde
Harrison is judge advocate in the case. A
trial of this description is quite novelty and
| the present one excites considerable interest.
The presiding officer of the court is Colonel
| Tubbs, of New London. After the reading
| of the charges Judge Harrison asked Colonel
Bacon what answer, if any, he had to make,
who replied that he was not made acquainted
with the charges brought, and not knowing
the mode of procedure, asked to be represent
ed by counsel. The request was, after dis
cussion, granted, no objection being taken
except that Judge Harrison informed him
that as judge advocate in such a case as the
| one in question he was supposed to represent
| both sides. t zsa z1- -.. =-~
| Hugh Daley asked if the counsel which
| Colonel Bacon should obtain would continue
| throughout the hearing and assist him.
1 Judge Advocate Harrison-Certainly.
In reply to the customary question as to
whether any member of the board had ex-
| pressed an opinion adverse to the capability
| of Lieutenant Colonel Bacon as military
| officer, Judge Harrison asked if the ques-
| ton was intended to be in effect like the one
customarily asked of a candidate for place
on the jury General Smith said the board
should be composed of men who
had not expressed an opinion adverse
/ to Colonel Bacon's military usefulness.
Judge Harrison read and explained the
law, and he held that, according to the rules
set down by the best authors on such mat
| ters members of board of court martial,
which this is similar to, cannot be subjected
to cross-examination, as can parties who
are summoned as jurors. Mr.. Daley except
ed to this, but Judge Harrison insisted, and
Colonel Tubbs permitted the question. The
result was conference between the members
and the conclusion that none had formed OF
expressed an opinion adverse to Colonel
| Bacon.
When the commission were out some one
brought up the subject of vaccination. II
appeared that both Colonel Graham, who
| brought about the investigation, and Lieu
tenant Colonel Bacon had been vaccinated
Some one said to Colonel Bacon that he ought
to be in sympathy with Colonel Graham or
this point 1--WE have been in sympathy
many times,' he responded.
General Smith rose and said that he would
now say specifically that Colonel Bacon hac
heard that Major Goodrich had to-day ex
pressed an opinion.
Judge Harrison said that this was for tn,
board to decide and that it would not be de
cided on hearsay.
General Smith said that he made the state
ment that Colonel Bacon might not b.
deemed to have waived any right.
| Judge Harrison said that street or car tall
could not be alleged. If any person ha6
heard Major Goodrich state an opinion hi
must be brought before the commission.
After sundry replies and answers the board
took a recess to formulate rules of procedure
and give time to Colonel Bacon and Mr.. Dai
ley to find the man whom they had quoted al
| having heard opinion upon Col
onel Bacon from Major Goodrich.
At 1890 Colonel Bacon returned, bu
hadn't been able to find the man he was af
ter, and then the mans name was. demanded
but Colonel Bacon's counsel held that tn
| name was confidential.
General Smith said The man, whom hav
not seen, will, understand, state a CONVEX
sation he heard on the train, providing h
| comes here at all. He was at Colonel Ba
cons Office, but has gone away and left
note that he would return to the Office of tn
Colonel at 2:30. We are here in good faith
and suppose our witness will say what W
think we will We propose to produce tn
witness here at that time, and although b
doesn't know he is wanted, we will bring hin
| if possible and we think it will be.
recess was now taken to 2:3O
| In the afternoon, after minutes spent il
| waiting for Colonel Bacon and the witness
who did not appear, Colonel Bacon beinI
sick, the objection to Major Goodrich wa
withdrawn, and Major Goodrich stated tina
he had made no statement as alleged, and wa
surprised that he should have been charges
| with making one. Lieutenant Prentice, tn
| secretary of the court, confirmed Majo
Goodrich's statement, stating that he rod
with him to New Haven and there was moth
ing of the kind said by the Major.
|
sworn.
Adiutant General Harmon then stated tina
this court was ordered chiefly because of in
| formation and belief contained in a letter b
had received from Colonel Graham relativ
to troubles which existed in the regimen
and which lay the fault at Lieutenant Col
onel Bacon's door. Trouble has existed i
the Second regiment for some time, and i
order to, if possible, remedy this trouble
this board was ordered. The Second reed
ment is good regiment, but not SO good
regiment as it should be, considering tn
material it has at hand, and that this is 8
| fact is due in great part to the troubles ex
| listing among the field officers of the regi
ment In common with the Governor, b
| thought the troubles should be remedied an
this court was accordingly ordered. II
hoped that the court would make q thorough
and patient investigation of the facts in thi
case and make a full and complete report
sparing no one whom the facts may implicat
as in any way responsible for the troubles il
the regiment. IF this investigation shoul'
result in duplicating anyone beside Colone
Bacon that may come incidentally, let it come
He said he hoped the board would make thei
inquiry thorough and summon any and all
officer, private or civilian, who would throw
any light on this vexed matter. 81 hop
You may have pleasant hearing" he said il
closing land hope you win make report
full and complete, duplicating whoever i
may" ss = z.sI
General Harmon further said that hi
statement spoken of was verbal.
Judge Harrison said that there now APP
peared to be nothing to do before the com
mission went into secret session.
Shortly before O'Clock after discussion al
adjournment was taken to Hartford, July 6tl
being the date.
County Commissioners. -g
The County Commissioners were in session
yesterday and granted the following iquo
licenses Rudolph Fechner, 100 State
Frederick Perrin, Waverly Grove House
West Haven, and Edward b. Smith, Yves
Haven ]. s. Rood, Merwin's Point, Milford
The following protest was received:
| WEST HAVEN, June 10, 1881.
| Hon. Board of County Commissioners:
4 Gentlemen-We would respectfully protest agains
| granting license to John Z. Thorn Of this Dor
| ovgh on the ground of being UNIT person to sci
| intoxicating drinks. Thomas Ia not at person Z
| keep peace on the shore. -@5
| E. ]. CAssELL,
| THOMAS GALBRATTH,-
E. M. BAsco1TB.
A Sad Case.
The stranger who was discovered by twt