New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-23
WITH ALL DUE FORMALITY.
THE INvEsTIG ALTON OF LIEUTENANT WOODS
CASE PROCEEDS SLOWLY.

CASE PROtEEDS oLOWhi'
The charges against Lieutenant Wood for cruelty treat
ing some OF the boys the schoolship St. Marys were
taken nm by the Nautical School Committee Of the Board
OF Education yesterday. Lieutenant Wood was present.
accompanied by his counsel w. H. l.. Lee. Commander
Crowninsheld VI the schooshp DR.. Whitaker, several
Of the boys from the vessel and Mrs Weaver the mother
OF the boy who said have been abused by the lieu
tenant were on hand. School Commissioner Simmons
moved that charges be formulated on the report which
Commander Crowninshed had presented to the committee
and that these charges be sent to Lieutenant "oou io MIN
reply to.
81 will agree to that" said Commissioner Guggenheimer
with the amendment that Lieutenant Wood be suspended
from duty pending investigation"
That would not do" replied MI Simmons III 1t
should prevail It would be assumption at the start that
the charges are true The committee does not want to
take that position. 1t would be unfair to Lieutenant
Wood. does know what there is against him, put
when the charges made he can be suspended
81 don't think should place any man under sus-
ncon Commissioner o. Brlen added when have only
heard one side OF the story Mr. Wood has gone through
twenty years Of service with honorable record VIII
not hasy action and shall vote against sus
pension"
1.-The commander has made o statement which forms Che
charges against lieutenant Wood We don't need to go
into the technicates OF Court OF Inquiry The oncer
is here with his witnesses. Let us go on ana y MIN
without any red tape
"pu, Mr. Wood is not in a position to be trIed' con-
tended Mr. O'Bren. lie does not know what the
charges are"
lie can learn them in hour" said Mr.. Guggen'
bemer .You have them there from Captain Crownin-
shield"
81 believe there Is good ground for Investigation SAID
Mr. o. Brien ond prove or disprove all these
statements , -
.WelI 1 am sure OF thing" Mr. Guggenhelmer re-
turned and that he should not go back to the boys In
the shin until the charges proven or disproven'
The discussion getting warm at this point when
Mr. Simmons took part In IT, He said that the report OIL
Commander Crownnshled had been made TO the committee
at the request Of It's chairman f. w. Devoe but the com
mee a. vet did not the truth OF them The report
wa the result of te commanders inquiry, and 1t the
charges should be founded 1--WE want to investigate the
entire matter TO bottom" he continued "Let Lieu
tenant Wood prepare his defence and come before the com
mtee but 1t should act IN proper and dignhed manner
and not railroad a into disgrace"
The amendment for suspension then voted and
lost Mr. Cuggenhemer alone voting for IT, ana the motor
70 prepare charges was adopted. Lieutenant Woods
counsel asked To be permitted to take the report OF the
commander but this was refused Commander Crownin-
shield presented some additional testimony and letter
was given to the committee from the boys OF school
shin signed by fortyseven out OF the afty-two
boId The letter denied all charges OF cruel treatment
and said thay the eutenants treatment had always
lust The boy Weaver the letter said had been the cause
OF frequent trouble the ship. The committee decided
that the counsel OF Board should draw up charges
and copy Of them will be served Lieutenant Wood
The officers retumedSto the vessel OF Glen Cove last
night The ship will sail to-day cruise up the Sound
and along the Mane She win to the city
I'm the latter part month"; when boys win be
graduated IL not probable. Therefore. that case
will De heard before that time