New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-23
"THERE WAS A SHIP"
AND IT GOT INTO A SEA OF TROUBLES,
WHAT THE M'CALLA COURT OF INQUIRY HAN
AscEgrAINED-How THE COURT LOOKS
AND ACTs-AMUsING FEATURES
OF IT'S PROCEEDINGS.

Of nautical decentralization told IN III Rime
~ +ho Ancient Mariner But the Ancient ,,ar.ner
did not know Commander McCaa, Of the ''c s.
Enterprise and it is lucky for him that lie oiu,
lie had hard time Oft as it was but H. III aoi''o"
10 emerald ice red fogs copper skies. rotten seas sea-
sernents and ghosts he had also fallen m WIN oo"'
mander Met ALA the haples' wretch wonld surely na,e
expred The history Of the Enterprise sihce BIG
went into commission under Commander Mc' ala
shocking tale of contention Nobody had any respect
for ANYBODY The men hated and feared inc omce'''
,n officers hated and despsed the men, and they only
oorcod on one pont-a general hostility 10 the oo"-
,n.pder who on his part cordially disllked thefh'
4 triangular animo>ty was maintained rom hrs' !"
last among this iilassorted company Win RESULTS
naturally diScrcdahle to all ,,.
Many Interesting scenes have been enacted oeio'o
tho Court Of Inquiry, which, sitting as sort OF
Naval Grand Jury is endcavorng to ina out WI"
.bould he indicted for these offences. In many ways
thc court Is model one. It's chief point Oh derc"'o
from civil courts is the absence from u Vi ''u or
Nobody objects" Nobody asks that III DE s'''oNe"
OUT Nobody raises points OF law 70 Keep Dd'N "
or that There is a reliance upon the intelligence "a
the Court in weighing the evidence which IS msnS
refreshing Each witness comes forward ana mahc'
hi, bow and takes his and tells MS tte III lid
own way
The court sits at long table. II IS an emlneh'y
respectable looking tribunal. The president Aou''a
Kimberly brings an amount of dignity to the cours
that i highly impressive. History says that Adn'r'
Kimberly was a great fighter one would say 10 iooA
AZ him that he born 10 be an induleeht giah"-
father The struggle that has been going on all MS
life between hi, fcrocOus profession and DS Dche'oieh'
disposition has resulted in mixed expression OK
qentenes, and severity. The gentleness shows IN Is
n,,r Of kindly blue eyes: the severity in a pair or
desperstey fierce mustaches. and both in woes
evidently capable Of conveying either emotion. MS
curly white hair handsome face and his singularly
straight and powerful frame combine TO give MN
striking and pleasing appearance.
Associated with the Admiral are Commodore Nc
Cam and Captain stanton, two elderly gentlemen,
small in stature with plenty Of gray hair and ful
gray boards The Commodore Is cheerful and festive
the Captain sedaic and grave. The Commodore looks
as though he knew good dinner ana gopd Joke as
well as a good ship. The Captain looks AS tio"sl
he had serious conception Of the responsibilities %
sailing the ocean blue. Neither says much during
the proceedings and what they do is generally adj
dressed to the Admiral The Judge advocate or
prosecutor Is Lieutenant Garst, hale. sturdy oifcer
well under foryfve years Of age lie goes right aieF
the facts with directnes zeal and sincerity "hoh
would bring him infinite disgrace before an or
binary civil court Mr. Choate and Mr.. Alexander,
who represent the officers Of the Enterprise. are doubt
les amazed and shocked at the PLAIN caidid anu
straightforward questions Of the Judse-Advocate.
They are against all precedent They are III RANK
violation Of the rules Of evidence Worse than ALL
they are intended To- bring out the truth. and WHAT
could be more revolutionary. destructive OF the
noble architecture Of the law than TO ask questions
that elicit the truthl No wonder Il seems 10 Nr.
Choate and Nr. Alexander that this inquiry strikes
at the very foundations Of society.
Mr. Choac appears for Commander McCalla. %
doe, Mr. Menzle-. Mr. Alexander appears for taa
other officers Why they appear hardly know.
They don't do much except appear and while
they are all highly ornamental. and a. ornaments en-
titled To all praise. that function would really seem
supcrfnous amid 30 much gold lace and buttons.
rf. IA "a TIA
officers have cursed and ironed and knocked down 81
profusey do enjoy the luxury Of counsel. NO
body appears for them. one woud certainly con-
clude after reading the record % bruaty, profanity
and outrage which two weeks Of testimony have hcapei
high that II an,hod needed defenders it was the
sailor lie however content % leave his case with
the good Old Admiral in which. suspect he displays
"a wisdom IS superior his taste The proceeding
j, not "a trial. Nobody is there defendant. The
court is really nothing but coHmi ''ion OF lnVesu'
gators. seeking learn whether prima facie case
exist, against anybody.
When il comes to look over the testimony it Will
have more, trouble 10 determine whom TO excuse than
whom 70 indict. The evidence has been Of shameful
character The Generalization which began with
Commander McCala extended to almost all his officers
The crew. naturally tough one, became under TINS
example and inspiration ugly and murinous. The
Commander cut down with his sword. Knocked
them down with MS FIST. swore AZ them vciously and
behaved generally Ike West Indian pirate. HIS
officer, T. uoNcd admlrin sly IN hi. footsteps. They
m or threatened 10 cut. they roarcd outrageous oais,
they sent men to prison for trivial offences, ironed
them. chained them. struck them. and prserNcd a.
their Customary attitude the position OF prize
fighter. Each Of them seems to hate the rest and
each comes on the stand and tcstifes 10 the others
misconduct with droil disregard Of his OWL They
all with scarcely exception. accuse the Comnander
he accuses many OF them. they accuse one another
and the men accuse them all. she was very I'M
haupy ship said Ensign Kline. she was indeed
II does seem II there should be no exceptions 10
the honorable rule, If conduct that distinguish the
American Navy. The reputation Of those who compose
IL from the days OF John Paul Jones To the present for
/ ability and character has been ovormached by none.
That ii should be damaged by such incidents as tha
late cruise of the Enterprise Is dcplorablc
Much unconscious humOr Is exhibited IN the manner
and words of the sailors they give their testimony
They are used to the process, and some OF them
20 al IL a, sioux Indian might If ne were asked TO
conjueate a Greek verb. one OF them-buOpes VIII
do for his name a. well ~ another-canle shutting
forward with hi, eyes hunting AL around the room
A, II IN search of a safe place 70 rest upon
Come here said the ADMIRAL
II, came Of course upon the wrong side
80 heIe.'
lie moved DO, position.
"Whyt', Your namei'
bubbles
What's all Of iti'
BIN Bubbles
~Bnl Bubbles. take the book.
Book. sip .7
Yes. hcrc.@ The Admiral stood up, placed his
eve glasses a,tdc OF his nose pccred through them
fine unhappy Bubbles and held out the Bible.
Bubbles made motion II TO take the Bible, per-
haps thinking II sratuity
40. no Just place your hand on it,"
Bubbles pat up IN, left hand
NO. Bubbles. your right hand
bubbles pat up both hands. The Admiral seized
the left hi, thumb and finger and gemoy cd
IT, The right remained
-~<ow. bubbles
"M.'r"
" Do .nnn-nl, ~.