Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-09
Ex.SurseOn General Wales Trial.
THE COURT MARTIAL coNvENEs TODAY.

The room of the naval examining and retir-
ing board, in the basement Of the State, War
and Navy depar tment building, glittered with
gold lace at noon to-day, when the general
court martial ordered for the trial of ex-surgeon
Gen. Philip s. Wales convened. All of the mem
bers of the court were present, as follows: Rear
Admiral Ed dSimpsOn, presiding; COmmodores S.
B.Luce and Jonathan Young Capts d. L. Braine,
A. w. Weaver, w. p. McCann and William f.
Fitzhugh, Medical Directors James Suddards,
Edward Shipper, J.; N. @ Browne % and j. Y Tay-
ward May. Lieut. Samuel C. Lemly appeared
as Judge advocate.
e sans as Dr. coSn %ns esn ers wh M5
who is associated with Mr. Sands, was not
present. Ex-senator Cragin. of New Hampshire
After the customary pnliminaries the court
was cleared to consider an objection made by
Mr.. Sands that the letter of the secretary of the
Navy, Mr.. Chandler, notifying the court of the
appointment of ex-senator Cragin as associate
counsel, was not accompanied by the letter OF
the Attorney General announcing the appoint
The court decided to admit Mr.. Cragin, but
require him to show his authority from the
NJ. Sands stated that last Friday he and his
associate had addressed letter to the Secretary
of the Navy requesting a postponement of the
trial.
This letter was referred to the court by the
Secretary Of the Navy, and was read by the
judge advocate, together with a letter from Sec.
retary Whitney, asking the court to recommend
how long postponement should be granted
The letters from DR.. Wales and his counsel SET
forth that too little time was given them for
considering and preparing to meet the voumin.
GUS charges preferred against the accused, and
suggested q pOStpOnement for a month,
The letters set forth also the embarrassment
that the defense would be met with if the court
proceeded with the trial, while the accused was
required to give attendance as a witness upon
| trials pending before the Supreme Court of the
District
Mr.. Sands said that Mr.. Wilson had been
ln1 <,pifxr l,Nyf1
brother, which would deprive the defense OF
his counsel for at least week; IL was necessary
also for him to examine the voluminous record
OF the board that inquired into alleged frauds
in the bureau tOf medicine and surgery. He
suggested that the trial should be postponed at
least month.
A member of the court suggested that as the
court was aot yet organized it had no authority
to make therequired recommendation.
Mr.. Sands said that he did not desire to pro
ceed to the challenges preliminary to organz-
ing the court, as that was an important matter
upon which he desired TO consult with his asso-
ciate.
The court was then cleared to consider the
application for pOstpOnement.
THE CHARGES AGAINST DIR. WALES
are contained in a volumnious pamphlet. Two
cheney in the performance Of duty, and the
other Of neglect of duty. There are sixty-three
specifications under the first charge, relating to
various transactions made public during the
investigation of the navy voucher frauds. There
Is but one specification to the second charge. 1t
alleges that the accused did not properly super
wise the business Of his bureau by which neglect
of his official duties it is alleged the govern
ment was defrauded out of about $5O,OOO.