Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-29
THEY DID NOT COMBINE.
"n@s the COurt.May Aled Signal Ser.
vice Clasr Men Saw.
soME OF THE INSIDE HISTORY OF THE CASE
SYMPATHY FOR THE YOUNG MEN ON TRIAL.

SoME oF THE INSIDE HISTORY OF THE CASE
SYMPATHY FOR THE YOUNG MEN ON TRIAL,
"A turther investigation Of the particulars o
the fort Myer court-martial shows a state O
aHalrs practically as described in last night.
STAR. Nearly the whole class was court-mar
tialed for petitioning for relief from bad treat
Ihent. The men who are being tried emphati
caily oehy, however, that they held meetins
ana combined for the purpose OF obtaining re
oress. They say they individually signed the
petltlon, for they knew of no other method o.
securing relief. It is also said now that eighteen
OF the class OF twenty-five are being tried, and
t thal tne other four were excepted only because
post sa ssa eva hs sss
cnsed: 1t is said, confessed their guilt a.
sne nrst secret session OF the court, before
they were told that it was the proper and best
thing for them to do. Counsel was secured for
the boys by well.known private citizen, who
determined that the young men should have as
lair treatment as possible. When the servic es
OF Mr.. HW. Garnett had been secured, and sub
seguently those OF Congressman Butterworth
IL Is said that great difficulty was experienced
not only In making q defense for the accused
put IN being able to be present at the sittings of
the court, the most 1noppOrtune hours being
selected.
THE FIRST INITIATION OF CoURT-MARTIAL
PROCEEDINGS
was on the night of the 18th inst. when at
eleven o'clock the boys were routed out of bed
and the charges read to them. Since then SEES
slons have been held at various hours of the day
and night, notwithstanding the statement at
signal service head quarters that the first ses-
SION OF the court was last Tuesday evening.
The defense claim that an effort was made to
induce all the boys to confess their guilt, upon
the promise that Lieut.. Greene the officer
against whom they had their grievance, should
act as their counsel and things would be made
easy for them.
THE TREATMENT OF COUNSEL
at the hands Of the court is general subject of
When Mr.. Garnett appeared for the
defense the stenographer he brought with him
was not admitted before the court until pro-
mise was exacted that nothing should be made
belief" testimony Of the confessed men being
received as evidence as to the signatures Of the
others he was told TO shut up or he would be put
citizens to protect American citizens In their
lights. With the surrounding bayonets he
o1ld be put out but he dared the court to en-
'ense with the services of a stenOgrapher, but
would remember himself everything that the
Wen Me- was
Mr.. Garnett subsequently he was
Ieated with little less courtesy. The result is
hat these gentlemen
WILL MAKE AN APPEAL. TO THE SECRETARY
OF WAR
n writing, setting forth the manner in which
hey have been treated and the trial conducted.
hat joint letter, 1t was expected, would be sub
nitted to-day. The Secretary will probably in i
truct Inspector General Baird to have a thor |
ugh Investigation made Of the whole matter. |
rought officially to the attention of the War |
apartment.
fine summary course pursued by the signal |
ervice authorities in this matter is a subject
unfavorable comment, both in civil and mil
.ary circles, and the men at Fort Myer have
cry general sympathy for the misfortunes
no hoy rlvy
themselves. Army officers say that
MISTAKE WAS MADE
I holding court at unusual hours. Army reg
lations prescribe the hours for holding
ourt martials from s to o'clock. The
liicer who orders a. court however,
gard to hours He is given this dis SaEus
ecause it is often impossible for a court to sit
thin the proper time on account of Marches
C., and it Is sometimes inadvisable to keep
Ulcers away from their regular duties longer
IAN Is absolutely necessary. In this instance
is said there was no necessity for selecting
nusual hours, and 1t Is said to look very much
} IL the only object in view was secresy.
rmy officers say, too, that General Hazen
=. fogd opportunity s to aPpear in
zen interpreted as an act of INSTRUMENTATION
nOng old soldiers, could only be ascribed to
hey they we're badly t tTeaied agd Were
IT aware that they were doing wrong in pc
tioning for relief II the chief signal officer
1t to the young men the dangerous ground
,on which they were treading, instead OF
king summary action upon appearances, he
e men that he was interested in their welfare {
I'd made every subordinate in the service his
m friend. AS the matter stands. however, {
ere Is no telling what the consequences will !
|: Several citizens have become personally !
terested in the matter and have offered i
lanclal assistance to the men in their efforts ,
secureJust treatment.