National Republican., 1885-10-30
THE FARCE AT FORT MYER.
Counsel Who Appear for the Accused
Insulted - What Gen. Hazen Says
nhnut n


Insulted - What Gen. Hazen Says
About It.
II is probable that Representative Butter
worth and Lawyer Henry Wise Garnett, of this
city, who were engaged to defend the thirteen
enlisted men at Fort Myer who objected to
being treated like brutes by n lieutenant, will
appeal to the Secretary of War in writing, com.
planning Of the treatment they were subjected
TO by the court.martial which is trying the
young men. Il is not improbable that thor.
ough investigation of the case will then be
made. The two gentlemen were at first granted
admission to the court, q promise being ex-
acted that what was done should not be made
public. The gentlemen refused TO bind them.
selves to secrecy. and the officers forming tn.
court threatened to eject them. Congressman
Butterworh gives the following account OF
himself received: 'The counsel were notified
the first evening that the court would adjourn
until the next evening. The next morning we
received n message that IL would be held ut
n. IN. a request for pOstpOnement until we
coula get there was refused. Mr.. Garnet was
refused permission to address the court uader
any circumstances. Last evening we went
there and listened to the testimony of the gov
crnmont against one of the accused. 1t rested
its case, ana asked the prisoner II he had any
testimony to Offer. He asked permission to
submit a statement, but was interrupted,
and told that the case was closed. |
arose to ask question, but the presi-
dent of the court flew into passion
nnd said: You shut up lie ordered me to lelyc
the room. again attempted TO address the
court, but The President exclaimed angrily:
Get out OF here, and II you don't III have you
put out by force l replied: You had better
put me ont by force The president rctOrted.
We'll, I'll call force enough TO put you out
pretty quick, too Meantime | gathered up
my papers ard started 10 leave the room. As
neared the door the president screamed ont:
You've no biisincss here at all except as u
spectator. We don't recognize you as Counsel
! was then near the door and stopped to say:
The president will certainly remember we np-
evening, and conferred with him in regard to
the case. He replied that he wouldn't hear
wurred out o me-
"He said that the court would not hear any
more. We waited outside while the court
found the accused guilty, and when the presi.
dent came out he ordered theyoung man taken
to. the guardhouse. The latter was aiterward
released. Then another case was called, anl
the accused stated that he had counsel. The
court considered the matter Il secret session,
and when the doors were opened read an in
sOlent order allowing them TO remain, but
prohibiting them from taking part in the pro-
ceCdings. The whole proceedings We're so
coarse, brutal, and unworthy of Il court that
withdrew"
GEN. uAZES DEFENDS THE COURT.
"The statement that the couri.martlal now
in session at Fort Myer is holding secret ses-
sions at untimely hours Is all bosh," said Gen.
liazen last evening to reporter for the RE-
IlHLltAN.
"Well, general" sat the reporter, "are not
the hours for holding the court somewhat diff.
ierent than the usual ruler
"ln answer | would say that the hours for
holding court We're so chosen simply bccGus:
the duties of the officers composing 1t gave
them no other time. Every moment of the
entire day Is taken mp with regular duties, In
regard 10 Mr.. GaTnetts statement the eXplana
tion is simple. Mr.. Garnett knowing nothin Z
of the forms Of military courts, by his continued
objections impeded the work Of the court to
such an extent that he finally wore out Us
| patience. Mr.. Butterworth made an equally
grave mistake in going into the court without
being introduced by his principal and claim.
| ing tho. right TO act in the court without
taking the preliminary steps which are ALWAYS
necessary In military courts to establish hi:
status there. The hours of the court were In.
convenient to everybody connected with IT,
but to have taken other hours would have
stopped other and necessary duties. the
rensons alleged by others are entirely ground
less. What Mr.. Garnett isalleged 10 have said
as published this morning, as far as relates Il
me, is entirely false. These little garrison
courts arc what arc prescribed by law for nj
small breaches OF discipline, and all the com
mcnt about this one inagnifics Its Importance