Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-27
THE TRIAL OF SERGEANT MASON.
WHAT THE PRISONER SAYS OF HIS CELL.

WHAT THE PRISONER SAYS OF HIS CELL
The Mason court-martia assembled at the bar
rtcks at 10 O'Clock this morning. Mason's wife and
btby SIT in an adjoining room. whence the wall OF
the infant was occasionally borne on the air to the
ears of the twelve stern soldiers seated about the
long table. The court Immediately went into secret
session 10 consider matters pertaining to the
record. The prisoner. his counsel, and the report
ers adjourned to the grass plat outside and dis
CiSSed the tuition
M.SoN'S personal EXPLANATION"
Speaking OF the condition OF his cell. which has
been subject OF constant complaint by the pris-
oner. Mason i'd 20 The STAR reporter this morn
tng:--"i GHry them to male en- investsgatt0n.'
Mason has prepared what lie calls a.por5onil e&.
plan tiOn in regard TO apparent discrepancy OF
oi!ic,Ais. reporters and myself, In relation to the
coHiltc1 OF my cen. during Icy entire conf nenent
up to the tine OF the l,:te improvements" The
consists OF following the commanding OF
ficer, as part o; the staff, the post
surgeon IN Inakins h;s tour OF Inspection once in
two months muster steps after tie command
Ing oncer into the ui.rtlouse and turning around
again walks out II this, say, is torongh, then
he Is right and / am wrong. OF course, expect
such things as riolem opposition, &C. for such is
the army OF to-day; but eTact facts will ieH. /
above stated"
The stftement is signed, "John A. Mason sergt.
battery b, ri artillery, in confinement" and has
two postscrpts, follows: 'Feb. s7th. Ny cell is
90 per cent better tlan on the Goth inst say this
as an American soldier, that ought to have some
rights" and sail my writing"
THE SENTIMENT OF THE OFFICERS
at the barracks, and of those composing the court
seems to be in favor OF the prisoner and doubtless
the court viii! append to its f1nding-1n case OF a
CONVICTIONS recommendation to executive elem
ency. The point las been raised that Mason. when
he flre1 the shot not actually guardduty, as
capt Graves battery at tie Jail had not been re-
Heved. This circumstance. changing the technical
character OF the offence. will, it is thought have
mitigating Influence on the findings of the court
WHEN THE COURT WAS OPENED
to the public this morning Lieut. E. NJ. Weaver
battery Is, ID artillery, was sworn as witness. He
was asked by the judge advocate if he had ever
heard the prisoner make any remarks concerning
guard duty at the jail.
erdl. and remarked with some warmth: If he HIS
made any remarks pertinent to the attempted kill
ing OF that fend down there have no objection"
After further discussion regarding the admlsS-
bility OF the questions put by the judge advocate
involving a brief secret session or TIE court, the
witness got so far as to state that he had i,,ard
the prisoner make statement concerning the
shooting on the morning OF the 18th of September,
when Mir. Bgelow again objected TO the testimony
and the court was again cleared
Alexandria Affairs.
Reported for THE EvENING STAR.
THE new PILOT LAVA delegation, consisting
OF eX-DeleTate Geo MG Shback, John II. ParfOtt
". A. SmoCt and u. X. Winsor, that visited Rich
mond last week to protect the interests OF Alex
'il onlpptTS from Will WIS tuIAutItl III IouS
provisions in the new Chesapeake pilot law now
pending before the general assembly, have returned
much pleased, having accomplished their object,
ana Alex ndrii is to be exempted from the opera
lions Of the bill, if it passes.
REPoRTEH's NoTEs.-Tne monthly term of the
Alexandra county court Iii not open this morning.
as the jul lge was engaged attending the funeral Of
iSfather, at Ashland. near Rchmond.-The sta
tiOn-hOuse had five tenants last night for assault,
disorder, &c. all but two have been dismissed, the
warrants being WithdraWn.-The city council
VIII hold meeting tomorrow night.-The city
officials will be paid eff on Wednesday or Thurs
day next,