Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-01-27

ute u WHICH l Hdu TO claim, Dut
which scanned to him the appropriate
one.-"we have been five months now
on board this ship -
stop a moment, ny man." inter
rup!cd /; "you must speak for your
self, and not for the other men. shall
inquire Of each in turn. State to me
only your own complaint
This took him little aback. He
stared at me moment, as if to divine
the reason of my observation, then re-
sumed.
. YES. Your Honor. My complaint
is, that for the last five months have
been in this ship there has been
nothing but hard work and very little
to eat. The provisions are of the
poorest kind, and scarce at that. The
mate has abused everybody, using pro-
fame language. He has repeatedly
kicked the cabin-boy, and struck Bill
on the head pointing to one of the
seamen-" and threatened -
my good man, told you to speak
for yourself; tell me only what you
have to complain of. Has the mate
ever struck you?'
"Strike me! He dare not DO that!'
Very we'll, then you have nc right
to complain of ill-usage personally.
Has the captain ill-treated you 2"
"No, Your Honor, he has not; bnt
the mate always uses abusive lam
guage."
"What is your complaint about the
food?"
Here he began a long story about the
quality and quantity of food, especially
that they had no vegetables but pota-
toes, and puddings only twice week,
with no other sauce but plain molasses
and, to sum up the whole, they had
had fresh meat but twice since they
we're in port.
After listening to his complaint.
examined the other men one by one,
and they had about the same story to
tell; and, from what | could guess,
they had all been prepared to make the
same representation to me.
The man whom they called Bill stated
that on one occasion the mate, after
some hard words. had given him a blow
on the back OF the head knocking of
his cap. But the captain reprimanded
the mate. and he had never repeated the
blow. They all complained of the food, ,
however, and especially that they had
never had any gingerbread.
When they had all spoken. 1 ordered
them forward, and called in first the
steward and then the cook. from whom
inquired regarding the provisions and
allowances given to the crew. lex
anined also the other members of the
Grew, and the cabin boy, who all de-
olared that they had no complaints to
make.
Upon this came to the conclusion
that there was no valid cause of COM
plant; or, at least, not sufficient to au-
thorize me to discharge these mer.
Accordingly recalled the five sailors,
and stated to them that, having listened
attentively to their complaints, and
having examined the other members of
the crew. found no sufficient cause
for me to discharge them from the
ship: but that I would appoint two
inspectors, according to law, to exam
anime the ships provisions, and if they
reported to me any deficiencies, I
would order thu captain to supply them
before leaving port.
As regarded themselves, however, l
warned them that, having refused to
obey the orders of the officers of the
ship. they had committed a wilful dis
obedience, an offense punishable by
the laws of the United States; that they
had the right of appeal to the consul.
but no right to strike work, or refuse
the lawful commands of the officers,
until lawfully discharged by the con-
sui.
Furthermore, I stated to them, that
when refused to listen to them col
lectively. l did so advisedly, in order
not to incriminato them; for " a CON-
bination OF several members of o crew
to disobey lawful commands" is a
criminal offense. conspiracy, and
punishable as such. I would overlook
1t, however, feeling that they SO acted
in ignorance of the law, but on condi-
ton that they would all return forth
with to their duties.
81 would rather go to Jail than work
any longer on board this ship!" ex-
claimed the sea-lawyer.
And 80 would /, and I, and IT,
repeated the others.
Aud so you will, said I, calmly,
"unless you take my advice and return
to your duty! However, you 60 for
ward now, for there is nothing more to
be said on the subject. I Twill give you
fifteen minutes more to think on it; if,
at the expiration of that time, you have
not resumed your duties. shall use
my authority accordingly"
With this I dismissed them, and
they left with dogged look, following
their leader. who was muttering be-
tween his teeth, "I'll Ee hanged before
I'll 60 back in this shipl"
waited fifteen minutes, then sent the
mate to inquire whether they would
return to their duty. They replied in
the negative. upon which l told the
captain that 1 would send them all to
Jail.
"What shall I do If they refuse TO