New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-14
CAPTAIN MEEKER'S COUETMAR7I1L.
HE SAYS 1T WAS ILLEG ALLY CONsTITUTED-hA
TENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES.

He SAYS 1T WAS ILLEG ALLY CONsTITUIED-hA
TENrATING CIRCUMSTANCES.
An article published yesterday relative 10 the court
martial OF CAPTAIN Edward p. Meckcr, communicate oil
the Marine Guard on the flagship Chicago, whiic III
La Guayra. was an enlargement upon what was pup
nshed in The Tribune about two weeks ago AZ 'h''
time II was stated that the matter would be ihil Do"
fore The secretary OF he Navy, together vi IeterS
from Consul Hanna and W. Nephew King, jr ev-
lieutenant of the Navy, tesfying t. the athiul pc
Torrance of ut, duty, upon the return Of III" ssrl
home and this was done by Captain Meeker y'ster lay
From the statement II appears that on october q,
the vessel being at La Guayra, Captain Meeker was
ordered by Admiral Walker t. take twenty-five OF me
mornes ashore 10 protect the quarters OF United
states Consul Philip c. Hanna. Upon reachlhs 'h'
residence OF the consul the latter said he had no
need for the troops, but lie stationed his men on the
balcony on the second floor of the building. and he
occu,icd room which opened on porch looking
ont upon the street. Captain Meeker and the consul
then went out for half hour, leaving instruct 0hs
for the conduct OF the guard. and the cen I'd wahei
bis servants not TO give any liquor 10 the men, Two
hours later half dozen Of the marines who Iad %
tanned liQuOr In some suirepuouS manner 20, 10
ouarrelllng and after Quelline the disturbance cap
tain Mccker stationed n guard % tina, no more INK
could be brought into the place. ard from that uhe
he stayed on the balcony.
on the following morning Captain Meeker + ivcd
orders return to the Chicago, and upon r'ppr NJ
The facts TO Captain McGlenscy, commandant f tie
Chicago the latter ordered the men UP Tor court
martiol. on October Is Captain Meeker was sur
prised with order to appear tor court martial np'h
the Charge Of neglect 0: dNty," for stulon NJ
sonties about the consular residence and low NJ 'n'
men to become intoxicated several days prior to
the court martial Admiral Walker issued and caused
TO be read the quarter deck an order severely ah
madvcrting On The character Il the marn"s and the
commanding officer and directing that they be NJ,
employ on shore Cuty again. Al the cJurt martml
CAPTAIN Menker presented this reprt nnnd rs n a
ng 1lnst being punished twice Ior the sam fei Sc
which the court accepted. and which VAS oNerrlIcu
by Admiral Waller. who convened The court.
believing the court-marshal an Injustice 10 captain
Mceker for the acts Of one or two OF Your men, VINO
wcr furnished with HOUR by the hand OF my colore1
servant" Consul Hanna added further compliment FOR
his able services. and mmende h course 10 Admiral
Walker. ". Nephew King, IT,. an cx lieutenant OF IN.
Navy wrote Il similar letter 10 Captain Mrck"r, ana
both Appeared a. witnesses In his behalf. The court
found Captain Meckcr guilty Of the principal charges
and the report has been sent 10 secretary Tracy Tor
review bv ADMIRAL Walker Clpnin Meektr also sayS
that the court was illc~ay crs ituted, rs five 81 the
nine members We're JUROR 10 him in rank.