Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-08
STILL ON THE STAND.
The COURT OF INQUIRY SPENDS AN
OTHER DAY EXAMINING PReNTlSS.
He Testifles that He Offered a Compro-
mise Which He Would Not Have Full
nlied--Yesterday's Proceedings


nlied--Yesterday's Proceedings
The court OF inquiry sitting at the moni-
tor fleet in connection with the charges
against Commander Graham has now been
III session SIX days. and its work seemsto be
but just begun. As soon as the records of
Saturday were read and approved yester-
day Mr.. J. ID. Prentiss, the Captains ac-
cuser, took the stand again. He said he
was on board when Yeoman Fife took an
inventory, and he considered that the
work was accurately and thoroughly done.
( He knew OF no irregularities IN the re-
ceipt or expenditure OF stores. nor Of any
improper use Of government property
during his term of service.
THOUGHT THE SECRETARY SHOULD KNOW.
/ In answer to a question the witness said
/ he heard Commander Graham say that his
/ bad temper had caused all his troubles. lie said
the reason why he did not report the Captain
while he lPrentiss) was aboard the ships was be-
cause be would have been amenable 20 the regu-
laiions Of the navy He had reported tho Com
mandcr since because he thought the Secretary
| OF the Navy should know Of his improper con-
/ duct The witness said that Commander era
ham had never punished him: that be tPrentissl
had never been reported 10 him for breach OF
| discipline.
Counsel for the accused then asked the wit
! ness his age aud how long he had lived Ia Rich
mond. He replied that he was 40 years OLD ana
had lived in this city seven years this last time.
lie had lived on several streets. He mid he re-
sided eleven years in Amelia county, about
eight months In Petersburg, two years IN Nor
iolk, and In Manchester about SIX llnonths: lie
/ lived in Amelia county from 1Sbo 20 1851. IN
Petersburg IN 1888, ia Norfolk a portion Of 1883
and 1854. returning to Richmond In 1889.
THE wIINEss NATIVE OF NEW YORK.
"Tbis covers about fourteen years How DO
you hll the other years OF your lie 7" asked the
counsel for the accused.
IL was several moments before the witness an
swered this. lie said he lived one year In Ches-
terfied county. He lived In New YORK state up
70 1869, when he came 20 Richmond. lie then ex-
planned the periods and sections In which lie had
resided since 1860. Prentiss was then asked
how about the o.her tWenty-thToe years which
he spent in New York State. He said he re-
sided In New ork State where he was born ana
raised In one county. though ne did not live all
the time In one county, but In Now YORK state.
lie was asked TO state the business he followed IN
Manchester, Richmond, Petersburg, Norfolk,
and Amelia. He replied that he harmed IN
Amelia, kept store in Richmond, was
salesman In Norfolk and Petersburg,
and was I'm the employ OF the Richmond
| and Allegheny Railroad Company
portion Of the time while living In Manchester.
His store in Richmond was on Duval street
wAsA SALESMAN IN RIoHaosD.
He was saleman for Fleischman & Co. in Nor
folk and Petersburg. Prentiss was asked II he
had boon salesman for any one in Richmond,
and after some hesitation replied that he had
not lie afterward remembered that he was for
a while FleIschman's salesman in hichmond-a
portion Of 1856 and 1887 aud portion OF 1888.
The witness was asked where he was between
the years of 1851 add 1865 inclusive. He stated
thnt he was I'm New York State from 1861 20 De-
cember. 1868. but from this date until October
1865, he was a United States soldier In Com
pany b, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery, and
! HaQyv Artillery
lie was then asked by the counsel for the ac-
| cused If he had ever been known by any other
! name than James ID. Prentss Tho Judge Ad-
vOcate objected TO the question, but the Court
| decided Ia favor OF the accused.
The witness answered that he had been
| known by another name-that when he entered
| the army his name was recorded James u;
| Prentss, instead Of James b. Prentiss"
| When he joined his Grand Army Post
| he had his name entered so that 1t would
correspond with his army record, though WIN
james h. Prentss In private life until about
three years ago, since then he had been signing
his name as "James d. Prentiss'
HAD EXPRESSED AsIMosITY.
"Have you not expressed your anlmosty
| toward the accused?" asked counsel Tor the
defence. The Judge Advocate objected to the
! question, and authorities were cited by both
| sldos as to its propriety. The Court held that
/ the accused could put such an Interrogation 10
! the witness and the answer was, IL think l
have"
question then presented by the accused
caused The court 20 be cleared and when IL was
opened again the Judge Advocate announced 70
the Commanders counsel that the character OF
their questions must be such as relate directly
10 the testimony already drawn out In the In
yestgation.
In answer 10 query by the accused the Wit
ness said he did not think he, IN the course OF
his correspondence with ex-IOeman Palmer,
ever urged him "to push the Captain and give
him -"
DIDN'T REMEMBER WHAT BE WROTE.
Counsel for the accused then said 10 the wit
ness: you remember Palmer's alleged letters
10 you so clearly; can you not recall some OF
the contents Of YOUR letters 20 Palmer?p
IL cannot, sir was the response; " Pallners
letters 1 hsd for some time, whereas only had
mine In my possession a few minutes.'
The witness said he did not have tho contents
Of his letters TO Palmer upon his mind before
| writing. They were indlted m0mentarlly.
| Eqnipment-I conan Fife, Mr.. Prentiss SAID,
/ wrote the alleged agreement between Com
mander Graham and Mills Oliver, the cox
| swain Of the little steam launch. IL was not
signed exactly as prepared. SAID the witness,
| there being some additions and corrections. lle
| aid not know why the crew was mentioned in
| the agreement 10 "treat the crew aud NILS
/ Oliver we'll" He heard the paper read by Fife
after il was signed. The witness was asked II.
| while emDlOyed on the monitors, ne did not
| ALWAYS voluntarily speak OF Commander Graham
| In highest terms as an oficer and gentleman,
| and stated that he did not Prentiss said he was
| N%--~N
cursed Mills Oliver.
WOULD WITHDRAW HIS CHARGES.
Referring 70 his correspondence with Palmer
| Prentiss admitted that he had said II captain
Graham would recommend him tPrenuss) 70 MS
successor he would dismiss his charges against
"Tnen your love for the good of tho navy that
you testified about this morning was dependent
! upon your own employment, was II nOtT asked
| the accused Dy counsel.
| "No, SIR" replied Prentiss-
"Then, why did you say you would withdraw or
withhold your charges If would recommend you
| 10 INV successor >" asked the accused.
You had told me that you wouldn't was the
| reply Prentiss made. There was q remark that
| the witness had not directly answered the ques-
ton and he said II was because Palmer came 10
| him and wanted TO make a acompromise.
| "Then YOU agreed 10 sell the love Of the good
! Of the navy for position In that sergce7" in
terrogated tho Captain through Lieutenant
| Waller
mo, cir, " was the response.
| "Then how can you justify your action In
agreeing 10 withdraw your action II you got a
- Berause you had said you would not recon-
,oend me to your successor" said Prentiss. His
| attention was again called 10 the question and
! the witness said II ala IL 10 see you "ouiu
/ break your word"
| A TRAP, IN A MEASURE.
"Tben you we're setting trap for me, we're
your" interrogated the accused.
| 4" Yes, In "a manner,
| "How long were you and others engaged In
this enterprise OF setting traps for me?'
.Neyer, az any length OF time, with any
! others"
| - Did Won intend 20 withdraw the charges had
| I recommended you to my successor"
| "No, sir"
Recess was here taken for half an hour and
| the court resumed It's tsinvestigGton, With Prentiss
| on the stand at o'clock.
! Counsel for the accused asked the witness
what ne intended TO do with the recommends
| ton II Commander Graham hAd gwen IL 10 MN.
and he stated that he intended TO put IT with the
charges and report that he made 10 the Secre-
| tary of the Navy He stated that no did not In
| tend 10 deal and speak falsely With tue Captain.