Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-04-06
woulDNr BELIEVE FIFE ON OATH.
HIS shipmates Testify to That Efeet-rhe
siluic Acknowledged.


Inst before Admiral Greer. president of
,h. naval court martial called that tribu-
,I together yes erday morning, he said TO
colonel Stern that he had been informed
ana Ind seen ID the papers that the lat
f.ry here had done him the honor to hre
f. Animals salute in compliment 10
i'm and requested Colonel Stern to ten
r.rms thanks 70 the officers aud men IN
lbe battery. aud 20 say that ne appreciated
tsrv highv the tribute, not only on his
sw9 account, but particularly because
twasan honor TO the United States ser
Inc court then opened, and the testi-
nopy oi pfontiSs wgs read over TO blm
aud approved.
Inc judce-Advocate read aloud letter
from the secretary Of the Navy acknow-
lodging the receipt Of the communication
hlm Commander Graham, asking tobe de-
iachei from the monitors and transferred
o. the ordnance department at Nashing-
tln The letter Of Commander Graham
w.. also read and admitted to have been
written by him. They were shown TO the
court and appended 20 the record.
CALLED A TYRASSIcAL OFFICER.
Another letter was read by Lieutenant
lalchlelmer. II was al anonymous com-
frmratlon alleging that Commander
Gfaham Dad allowed improper uses of GER
tan articles belonging to the ships, cursed
al abused the late Admiral Porter, cruelty
treated the men under him, &c. The
raper asserted that the Commander was
tle most tyTannical officer in the United
haies navy. This document had been re-
csvei ~ the department aud was referred
T. Commander Graham, who wrote letter
baking denial Of all the charges, and Offer
le h.s rounds OF defence TO the navy.
Oliy portion of the latter paper was APP
pended To- the record.
lhe Judge Advocate then announced
iha, the prosecution was closed, and the
court took a recess for lunch.
IHL SIDE OF THE ACCUSED.
The court reconyened at the usual hour,
sad Psymaster Yeoman Davidson was
ulei bv the accused. He had known
iie since 1889, and once heard him say
Ile Captain rs down; let US down the
Chef Engineer and the Doctor The ac-
cl.sd asked the witness II, from his know
ledge Of Fife and his general reputation on
taii those monitors, he would believe
.llu IA oath. To this Interrogation the
Associate % the Judge-Advocate objected,
lt was not sustained. The witness re-
piei ,ha, II Fife were under the influence
81. Whlskey or II hrs personal interests
vre az stake he would not believe him
under oath.
Charles Reardon, ships writer, testified
ilai DO once heard Fife say, The Cap
tll's hxed now; the Chief Engineer aud
loeior ought to be fixed" He said he
c.dnot report tins language of Flies TO
lly one. The witness swore be would not
b,.ieve Fife on oath when any personal
interest was at stake.
hachinist George W. Brooke stated that
De- once heard Fife in speaking OF some
eucer say: Yes, - --- him. I'll have
hiye MIN couTt-martialed and thrown out
Of ,4e service" He testified that he would
90; believe Fife Oh oath where he had any
interest al stake. II did not report II at
iiai time because ID was useless. Fife at
N.i TINE had Commander Graham's ear too
N.A .of the Captain 10 believe any one
c't. said the witness Captain Parker,
e'llsel tor the accused. made side re-
tifs: The viper had not then stung,"
hligh Tie Judce-Adyocate requested the
bsaosiapher o. note.
lte court directed the counsel 10 be q
Aj.e more careful in their personalities.
Robert Conley, w2rd-room steward,
seofe That be heard Fife say, while party
s,;e coming down on the liberty boat :
We have d0wned old jimmy, we will
tA'e . down old Taylor" He said he re-
Po''ea lbe matter to the Engineer
WOULD sGASH FuE's PACE"
a. l. Ford. blacksmith, while on the
Nall testified that he heard Fife use lam
taAge e1pFeglng his feeling toward Com
s.luef Graham. He said he would not
.,itfe tlie under Data FROM his know
.,lfe o. the man. Ford said he and Fife
~ not on friendly terms. Yes, SIR. 4
~ fiie one morning on the liberty boat.
eS5i,,As The court OF inquiry, when he said
HG9iaus were liars. especially those
~ ooafd The monitors. that was Viz.
s.uAu and II DC sad was liar would
,.a-'e his lace. Yes, sir, he led about me
frederick Smith. machinist. who has
80 "a "a the service twenty years on and
s.o testified that be would not be-
I've NE on oath. Machin,st Smith satd
uso been unfriendly TO Fife since last
3Ni. when he told him dirty lie. y
Ooafi then adjourned.