The sun., 1890-04-23
M'CALLA'S TRIAL BEGUN.
HLs THIRTEEN JUDGES ARE REDUCED
TO TWELVE


A roar OF deep-mouthed cannon In the
Brooklyn Navy Yard greeted the ears OF New
Workers. and Brooklynites at 10h O'Clock yes
terdRy morning. 1t was the Admiral's salute
OF thirteen guns fred from Cob dock In honor
Of tho arrival In the yard Of Rear Admiral
David B. Harmony. the President OF the Naval
Court, which has been appointed to try the
charges formulated against Commander Bow
man II. McGalla from the testimony given last
month before the Naval Court OF inquiry In
the after cabin OF the steamer Enterprise Sat
Capt. McCala all tho morning in consultation
with his counsel. Joseph A. Choate and S. d.
Menzles, preparing for the defence.
Tho court martial room In building Z had
already been prepared for its occupants. A
table, extending half the length OF the room,
with chairs drawn up 10 1t on both sides,
awaited the members Of the court. Big blot
ting pads. with plentiful supply OF paper.
was laid out ut each seat A sturdy antique
oak table was ready for Capt McCallR and his
lawyers, and on tho other side OF the room was
q round table for the stenoRraphors. Twelve
o'clock was the hour set for opening the court,
but Judge Advocate Perry Garst. official prose-
cutor for the Navy Department. was on hand
before 10. arranging the documents and papers
which were stacked up before him. Resr-Ad-
miral Harmony set good example to the rest
OF the court by entering the room FIRST, quar-
ter Of an hour before noon Tho Admiral who
is flne-looking old salt with rubicund face
and a white mopstache greeted each OF his
follow on GERS heartily as they entered the
room. Commander Benjamin F. Day came in
right after the Admiral, having stopped down
stairs to don his dress uniform. a. the rules OF
a court martial prescribe. The Admiral caught
sight Of Capt. II Henry Erben entering the room
next, and jumped UP 10 grasp him by the hano
and give him hearty How dye do'r' There
was general hand shaking oil around as tho
other Judges flled into the room. Capt Lester
A. Beardsleo OF tho Vermont came last
The late Capt. Beardsee," laughed the Ad-
miral. as he shook the Csptain's hand.
This was the way the officers sat: On the
right Of Admiral Harmony. who was at the
head OF the table. were Capts. Henry Erben.
Lester A. Beardslce, Robert L. Phythian. Com
msnders benjamin F. Day. Merrill Miller, and
Colby NJ. Chester. On the other side sat from
the Admiral's left down, Capts. Richard W.
Meade. Edmund o. Matthew. Frederick V. Nc
Nair. and Commanders ". r. BridRman,
George H. WadleiGh, and William II. whiting
At the foot OF tho table sat Judge Advocate
Garst with his assistant Lieut. W. II. Stayton
OF tho Marine Corps. completing the court.
few moments before IL Capt McCalla
walked in TO the room with Lawyers Choate
and Mcnzies. He was In uniform and the ab-
sence OF his sword was all that indicated that
he was the accused.
Precisely on the hour the Admiral called the
Was E Of S
members OF the court. who then discussed the
charges and specihcations and their relevancy
among themselves.
Whom the court was opened again Capt Nc
Gaia ali arose 10 mally to ask that he might have
Mr. Choate and MI. MenZies a. his legal ad-
yisers, a request which the Court granted.
Lieut.. Garst read the precept OF Secretary Ira
cy conyeninR the court: and announcing that
wise ordered.
. You have heard the names OF the court"
said tho Judge Advocate. turning to Capt. Nc
Gala -, Have you any objection to any OF
: Yes," said Capt McCalla slowly, ito Capt.
There was a considerable sensation In the
court room mat at this and everybody leaned for,
to address the court. had to say
p.ar6sIH there are three grounds against Cart
Mr. Csoss FU beesGse on hs
seli an aceuser Of Capt Mo6ails, having Ire;
Braine; second; these charges show on their
i,;,S iaGS that the Captain vas seriously offended
dent feeling Of offence on Capt Beardslee's
part was not well founded, and his taking so
serious offence on so slight q cause makes It
plain that there was some pre udics on his
mind against Commander McCalla."
Mr.. thoate then road the accusation which
se4uent answer; Eeardslee accused McCaIla
OF having exceeded his aulh hority by punishing
three days leave. The man who was a school
master named Davenport was stationed on
the Vermont. but had been temporarily as
signed to duty on the Enterprise while the
later WAS dismsntled. with sixteen others. He
was abusive to II sailor while on the Enterprise
according 10 Capt. McCaa, who ordered him ,
to Remain on the ship as punishment Dayen- |
port lost his leave. and hence Can't jeardslees
etnarGe; Mr Choate argued that the rela ion
the two bore OF Accuser and accused was sum-
cient reason for Capt. Bear lee removal. and
tho court room was cleared TO decide the ques- |
ton. Capt. Benrdsleo himself retiring while the
The objection Of Commander McCala to
Capt Beardslee Is sustsined." announced the |
Judge AGyocate whea tho doors were opened. |
- Capt, McCalla had scored the first point.
Capt. Beardsloe arose, promptly and left tho |
pasSed Tctaay yfr had n1a'i 1o u1 4s
& er objections to the personnel Of the court.
Rear Admrai Harmony frst administered the
oath to Lieut.. Garst, who then performed the
same same Office for the thirteen Jutges. They all
arose and stood with bowed heads over the
table. Admiral Harmony and four CAPTAINS
grFnSped grn sd Bible which they held poised above
Commanders were holding another Bible be-
tween them in their outstretched hands. Lieut.
spwy ana mpTeyey 5eaa me WAN 2Sh
the stenographers had been sworn too. the
Judge Advocate asked the accused whether he
! am ready for rial" replied Can't. McCalla.
=, i l received copy OF tho charges and speclh-
cations on the day was put under arrest
Tho charges and specifications were road
over ly tho Judge Advocate. Capt. McCalla
following them In his copy.
The ilrSi charge is Striking another person
N tho navy and relates solely to the case Of
seaman John L. Walker, who was cut down"
win Q sword by McCalla while In irons at
Tn" second charge is " Violation OF the
article OF the articles for tho
government Of the navy" and the specfica-
Ions relate to the ironing together OF men, to
nliotipg unusual punishment at ST. Peters
ourg. Russia, on various seamen, to compelling
hem to stand toelng a seam in the deck rom0
% o'clock for four niGhts,to be deprived oftheir
lammocE 8. and to lperiorm extra duty, and u
lumher loi other severe ,punishments. and in
og Tho third charge Is "Aal'Esatmens E Of
ions under this charge include the gaEginR OF
y alker while In double irons at Christania.
mouth.
The fourth charge is Conduct unbecoming
N officer OF the navy" and tho fifth and Ia st
harGe is Violation of the tenth clause OF the
wentieth article OF the articles for the govern
nent Of tho navy" in having neglected TO read