The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-16
GRAHAM ON THE STAND.
-rsTfrrEs MS OWN BEHALF.
...,inp Evidence Before the Naval Court
ofIuauiry--Thc Matter In Regard 10 ''e
late Admiral rortcr-The witnesses.

rfe thirteenth session OF the hHN" ''"'' Va
.....ry began on board the monitor AJAX
To-day morning at 10 o'clock. The Trip
...,. on the launch was not pleasant one
cold. raw wind being ANYTHING but agree
.,. to tho loats occupants, ana when the
49,. renrosented by the three captains and
~. o,her daily attendants. were snugly en-
...cel in tho turret Of tho ship, it was
Eel. e.nressions of relief that they began the
cay .aoors.
f.p.ain John A. Curtis was the first witness
.-.t oodtestifcd 10 substance as follows: An
'sr Of these monitors. Mate kuhl. whose
.sinf.nce made during Commander Nc
r...,'4 administration. came 70 me soon
..- Commander Graham took charge and
'.estel that use my influence 10 have Cap
Graham removed. lie said on that Occa-
en- flat Commander Graham WAS hog.
,.o time afterwards he saw me again, and
...u asked me 20 use my influence so that
I-.f.in Graham could be detached. kuhl
>.f tho discipline was such aboard tho
~,n.tors that his lady friends We're not
lowed on beard the ships. replied TO hum
...+ my experience on vessels and my service
- t.e Confederate navy dictated that
borough discipline was admirable and tnat
l..enanlcr Graham had acted right, Tor MS
..ls would have the effect of keeping away
.-,a The ships the rabblo who have no ous'-
LESS on them. 800.
Y.-sing up and down tho river. have you
not Lad an opportunity to Judge or the peo-
r.e WHO visit the monitors. tho dlsclpihe OF
Ie crew and the condition OF inc su'ps
s.,el the counsel.
have said Captain Curtis
Wil YOU state how these ships were useu
before Commander Graham came ana now
trey are used now
~ OTHER DAYS.
40 boats were allowed O. land. People
se-e allowed 20 come on board whenever
f.. chose. The crew held conversations
,.tb the crews of the tugs when they passed
t..-a ships After Commander 6ranam look
.'.rrs they ATTEMPTED 10 keep up these con
,.r..tiong until / received "a COMMUNICATION
f-.m Commander Graham. which stated that
some one on my tug, the smith = e'u1' hau
used indecent language in passing 5'oppeu
p rs far as ] could by giving orders that the
Sims should be treated with respect. since
ben there has been no trouble.
In answer 70 q question Captain Curtis SAID
tt.f In addition % his other duties he has
i,.n harborm0ster since November, 1850.
Continuing. the witness said do not
know ANYTHING of the character OF the people
,ao came down TO the monitors. les, IL was
en understood thing that they could stop ut
These Sims whenever they wished %.
When was this stopped-ths permission 10
land excursion parties on these ships
When Commander Graham took command.
Continuing. Captain Curtis said Mate
Tuhi smoke 20 me about having Commander
Graham removed when II was understood
stpromiscuous parties would not be lowed
=. Ian1 The discipline is better now than 1t
vas then. according to NV understanding.
Where when and from whom dld you get
y0urilea OF naval discipline.
F~om Confederate naval vessels during the
Wood, Hunter Davidson and John IL. farker,
o.. the old [ uited States navy.
Continuing Captain Curtis said in reply TO
questions 10y the Judge advocate. 1 90 not
know anything OF the nlted States navy reg
Nations AT the present time. only from my
observations IN passing and coming on board
these ships do know anything OF the inter
nal discipline on board. / have been on board
four times since Commander Graham
took charge j do not of my own knowledge
know OF any bad behavior on the part OF the
excursion parties ! spoke o.
Question by the Court. Prior TO Commander
Graham's time did you ever know OF indecent
language between the monitor men and the
crews on the tugs without II being checked
have known what ] consider indecent lam
-rspe TO be used. bat / do not OF my own
sroWiedge know whetherit was checked or
Iot
THE NExT WITNESS.
Mr. Thomas T. Hannigan. of No. 821 Brook
avenue. was the next witness. and SAID that
ha never knew or saw COmmender Graham
10 his knowledge. L served nearly four years,
De .sll. on the United States steamer De!a-
ware during the war. and received my dis
rfo-ra III Rockets / was third assistant
engineer IN the volunteer service. L belong
to pul kearnv Post, u. A. H. have q
casual acquaintance with james ID. Prentlss,
winch has extended back three years. from
what know of him and his general reputa,,
ton would not believe Prentiss on oath. l
was not summoned 10 appear before TINS
court.
Questioned by the Judge advocate I do
Mt know that Prentiss ever lied 10 me.
base mv answer that l would not believe MN
On oath from his general reputation IN the
community; nothing that know OF my own
knowledge. Yes, / am friendly 10 frentlss;
t.fre is not any 0nlmOslty between us. i APP
4.arel before this court simply 10 protect
usfice against wrong. and base my opinion
lr what / have heard and read IN the news
r4uers Yes. was simply induced 10 come
lsre to see Justice done Commander Graham.
Mr.. James Hayes, 3l0S Lester street, was
,ext called and testified in substance as fol-
VS.. j was employed 10y the Government at
tie Gosport navy-yard. Mate huhl ana my
s.l had several conversations ia regard 10
ta administration Of the monitors. kuhl
during Commander McCurley's adm,nistra-
tol was looked upon as captain Of these
ne M4lAtro Al4tA nttttbN Ic- tA'AA@ "a
ranvarsati0ns that had been held between
Dim and Mate kuhl. They were similar t.
those testified about by Captain Curtis and
ca,roboratory as 10 kuhls dislike TO the
discipline exacted 10y Commander Graham.
Among other expressions which Hayes stated
were made use OF by kuhl was one 10 the
elect that Commander Graham was no bet
tsrt.au his relative General Meade who, like
G. tLe 1leades was crazy.
Atthe conclusion of Dir. Hayes testimony
Gle court took recess Tor thirty minutes for
lunch.
COMAiANDER GRAHAM.
When the court reassemblsd Commander
Graham. after being duly sworn. took the Wit
ness chair. and first testified in reference to
the stores lie told IN what confused state
lslad found matters on assuming command,
and ,he discrepancies which existed; how
lehad cone 10 Washington, had asked for a
lo.rIt5 Investigate the charges and how that
board mad performed It's duty. When ! took
Command said Captain Graham. 1 found that
O.. KEYS of the store rooms were Kept IN the
Sims writer's Office aud that the Office was
used as a Longing place directed that only
those Who had business there should occupy
ile Office. and the KEYS 10 the store-ro9ms
transferred 10 INV cabin. / established the
daily pass-book system and gave orders That
nothing should be issued unless l signed the
BOOK also established the weekly account
books. aud from them were supposed 10 90
lale the returns nj the end OF each quarter.
Commander Graham nextlktestified IN re-