The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-18
NAVAL COURT CLOSED.
THE ARGUMENT on BoTH SIDES.
a Secret ssssion VIII II, Held To-day for
Delibcratlon The Record TO lie sent w
Washington--The Commander tn"eh'

Argument was OellNefeu III tho ''
yesterday and the court formally cio'eu ioi
deiberation. When tho court conVenou Wv
stove was Immediately surrounded ny '"0
three captains, tho Judge advocate tue GU
sci for the accused and the reporters anu 10
capacity for warming several haif-irozeh P'.-
sons was quite severely taxed. All heiu 'Ne"
hands toward the polished article 10 an a aP
peaing way, but. a. one OF the Sap' 80 -
pressed il. Bend twasn't started III tolin w.
The resuit was not satisfactory. Sunicicnss
warmth. however. was finally receis .ee'.aad
Judge-Adyocate Lauchhelmer BEGAN piOe'0N
ings by reading the record OF "Wednesday.
Argument was then begun by the c ounseI
for Commander Graham. 1t was ue''reIog
by Lieutenant Waller. VINO reau. ~ te4u.ae
by regulations. from manuscript; ~ ~. -
is appended as part OF the record, anu - Ieau
at the Judre Advocate General once NJ
Washinoton. The lieutenant IN commencing
his address OPPRESSED the deienses thanks
for the courtesy they had received ~ the
hands of the court. ana then alsueu
that four charges made by treu,lss
had been clearly shown TO be ialse.
He referred in very ceprecatOry terms
TO the characters Of lrentiss ana me ana
said that Commander Graham had cen the
Innocent victim OF n conspiracy foimeu oy
those men. lie tod how charges when par
took OF but a modlcum OF truth, had Deeh
trumped up by the willy cOnspiretors ana
Observation-Disclosures. and how, 10 SHOWN III Tue
testimony. Prentiss had set traps to ensnare
Commander Graham. With well pointed
sentences he presented his side Of the case
using throughout clenn-cut argument OF
convincing nature. There was no attempt
at el0quence OF flights OF oratory'
but in that calm deliberate manner. 50 often
seen at the Supreme Court OF Appears ui,5
the lieutenant present MS views anu ciC7~D
his address with well considered sugses'ioi5
TO the court as to the testimony IN the lecVIp
which supported his arguments, anu WniIn
indisputahly showed bis side OF the case 10 DC
impregnabie. I'll
As soon as Lieutenant Waller concluded
Judge Advocate lauchheimer asked 'naO
recess for n la hour DO declared so that ne
could frame fitting replies TO the arr uineu's
OF the defense His request was Granted
At l o'clock the court reassembied. Inc
stove in the meanwhile had extended Its
powers. and the turret of the Ajax began to
wear a comfortable look. Spectators came
into the court. consisting of Mate Fuller.
Past Assistant Engineer Taylor ana NuI-
geon Lumsden. while the orderly OUTSIDE
on the hurricane deck marched up and down
with the regularity of q pendulum ana con-
sOled himself by eating Iclcles.
From tue turet's windows the view was not
prepossessing nor one that painter OK spnng
scenes would have appreciated. Tie river
was red. snow lay on the frozen ground.
everything bore an aspect Of bleakness and
the stove became a more appreciated article
Immediately.
Lieutenant Iauchheimer again began pro-
ceedings, and operel his argument as Judge
advocate. He gave thorough and minute
review of the entire case. Citing each charge
made by Preutlss. ne quoted the testimony
bearing on the allegations, and IN forcO.e
manner exposed TO view tie Woodworking
testimony that had been given. lie tod
of the charges separately. the evidence thag
had been given 20 support or dlsprOve, ana
with well-cLosen argument showed those
allegations which has been proven true Nv ln-
disputable testimony. He aYerred that Com
mander Graham had not been the victim OF
conspiracy. but had of his own free viii COM
mitted those acts which make him amenaOle
% the regulations governing the navy. ne
told how the commander nad confessed I'd
two of the gravest charges and how testimony
that had not been dlspr0ved showed him
guilty OF others lie presented his address IN
clear. succinct manner. arguing with quoted
testimony rather than ty convincing meta
phor. and demonstrated clearly that, though
his first case. he was fully able % cope with
the many problems and difficulties that are
ever presenting themselves Tor the consldera.
ton of a Judge advocate aud that he was Wen
successfully filed
The Judge advocate concluding, the court
WAS formally closed and continued with
closed doors until 2.ij o'clock, when 10 adj
iOurned. It will meet again tomorrow on
board the Ajax, but the sessions can and VIII
only be attended by the Judge advocate. The
result OF the deliberations Will DO recon-
mendations to the judge Acknowledgement,
and be or his peers Will consider carefully
the record and recommendations. Should It
10 decided that the good Of the
service dictates that Commander Graham be
tried. the judge acknowledgement shall
recomm end t. tie Hon. Secretary of the
Navy to that effect and he or the President
Will order what is known in naval circles as
general court-martal. This court shall
consist of not less than five nor more than
thirteen members and y majority of the
court shall be the peers Of Commander era
ham. 10 will lie several weeks before the
decision is reached
IN the meantime Commander Graham Will
command the monitors. and II the decision ls
favorable he will 10 detached 20 some other
command. receiving his rank Of captain. II
the decision is uutavoraDie some counts
stoned officer will be detailed 90 come To Rich
lnoud and tnKe command. and in all probability
Commander Graham besummonei 20 Aortoik,
where the court-martial would IN al hkeIl-
hood be held.
Commander Graham was reported better
Yesterday but did not leave his cabin.