Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-29
THE GRAHAM TRIAL.
couRr-MARTlAL CONVENED AND IT'S
WORK BEGUN YESTERDAY.
freiicainary Matters Arraneed-Precepts
Charges, and Specifications Read
Testimony Begins To-Day.

a small bnt expcctant throns assembled or
Tho outside Of the pistrict-Court room IN The
castotn-housc yesterday morning. An orca
sionai Hitting through the crowd OF some naval
dienitary clad In blue uniform and Kilt braid
and with HE shining blade at his side, caused
many eesticulations and much surmising
Those present had assembled TO watch the open
ing proceedings OF tho naval court-martIai or
dered for the trial Of Commander James d
Graham, who up 10 few days ago Was the on
cor In charge OF the United States monitors sta
toned IN James river near Richmond. Thi'
trial Is tho sequel OF the recent court of inquiry
which spent nearly throe weeks In examining
into the charges against Commander Graham
which we're preferred by ex-ship's-writef Jame'
.. Prcntiss
THE COURT xERrs-
HE court was called 10 order promptly NJ IL
o'clock by Commodore j. A Greer. presiueur
and all oficsrs and members were present OK.
ctpt CaptsIn Montgomery sicard. The detail o.
tho court r. as follows: Commodores-jamesA
Greer. United States navy (president, and DO
yeph & Sheriff. United States navy; cap.ains-
Montgomery sicard, Edmund O. haitnews
Charles \. Norton, Francis NJ Bunce, Alfred Il
Mahsn, Theodore +. Kane, John W. Philip
John y. McGlensey, and Benjamin II. DAY, mem
bcrs, and First-Lieutenant Charles IL. Lsuce
hcimer, United States marine corps luoso-"'
vccnte. A.,
A row of tables running up and down the
room accommodated these officers. the presideh,
being at the head and the Judge-hdVO.alo a.
the foot. Due regard was paid 70 nsNaI iSta
and the highest Ia once sat nearest Coininoooie
Greer.
Commander Graham. the accused, and two
members OF his counsel. Captain James ~ r NJ
OF New York city, an er-paval omceI, ans ~.
mel Jo Lane Stern, OF this city, occuplc' s1ass
At table 10 the lett OF the officers OF the tflou-
nal All spectators and newspaper-meh were
stationed outside the railing.
AN UNUSUAL COURT SCENE
II was one Of the prettlest court scenes ever Eve.
beheld IN this city. All officers, the Judge auso-
rafe and the accused we're in full naval uhiiV,ln'
ana the order OF procedure was In strictes' ooe'
sauce 70 the regulations OF the service. oo,,-,
Immediately after the opening OF lno .o o"',
the Jndge Advocate arose ana rean 'clos Iaiu
from Captan sicard stating that he hau inns ss
the train AZ Washington, but would resch RICH
mond AT 2:3s O'Clock In the afternoon -, ,,,..
The accused was then askeo II nc ny, ~, AZ
10 counsel in the case, ana he replcu that ne
,<o,ld like 10 have Captain Parker, CORONER
stern and Mr.. Charles V. Meredith 10 represent
him This was allowed by the court
letter fr pm Secretary Tracy transmitting the
nreceots. charges specifications &c, was READ Dy
fieutenant Lauchheimer. The preccpt orue,eu
the court-msrtiai for the trial on Cominandel
Graham or such other persons as may DC ieseuY
brought before II. Inc cohtents VI ro'o,ss a..
imporiant documents were made known 10 INC
court. 80 ,,,,,v,
Tho accnsed was at this juncture asked " be
mad any objection 10 any onicer or member OIL
mo court and he responded that he did lot.
The Indigo Advocate was then sworn IN ana ne
a, tnrn administered the oath 70 tho other on
cers and mem bers OF the court, inciullng the ON
riai stenOgrapher, Mr.. William j. Noo1s. Inc
path taken was very impressive ana oouhu al
NOT 10 diyulge or make known any OF the secret
proceedings OF the tribunal. nor 10 In any man
ner disclose the sentence, and 10 perform ms
auty 10 the very best OF his ability with Impair
liality. ,, .
Coinmander Graham asked for permission to
interrogate witnesses directly when upon the
stand instead OF by written questions, Dut the
Judge Advocate read certain sections oil the arti-
cles governing the navy which prohibited any
direct communication with any one testiiylng
and provided that all qderrying must DC done
through the officers Of the court by writing.
Upon being asked by the Judge Advocate the
eccised stated that he had received through
lieutenant Wainwright copy OF the charges
and specifications and also list oil the Witnesses
for the prosecution
pers for the guidance Of the proceedings, but
was soon opened again
NOT QUITE READY TO BEGIN.
twas hgreed that the mode OF procedure as
10 Objectionable questions should be the same as
In civil courts. .
he was ready for trial, the accused answered
that he would be prepared TO begin at V.3O
O'Clock this morning
A short recess WAS taken, after which court re-
Assem- ied, aud the witnesses for the prosecu-
tion were called and warned to converse with no
one about the case under examination. Those
VINO have been summoned 10 testify against
Commander Graham are PaymasterJ j. o. Lowell,
Mate Fuller, DR.. Lumsden. Equipment conan
Fife, Paymasier - conan Davidson, Ships
Writer Reardon, and Coxswain OLIVER. The
court adjourned until $3.50 o'clock this morning.
The sessions will be from that hour until 1880
La aftarnODn
such time as 1t may be deemed proper to ad-
iOurQ.