Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-02
TRYING THE CAPTAIN
THE COURT OF INQUIRY DULY OR
GANlzED AND READY FOR BUSINESS.
Commander Graham's Investigation VIII
Consume Some Timc-Open Session.
But No Reporters Present.

The court Of inquiry appointed by the
naval department to investigate the
charges preferred against Commander
Graham, of the monitor fleet. convened IN
the captains quarters on board the AJAX
yesterday az noon and was In session
something over four hours. Just what
the proceedings developed is not known.
for, though the court was "open," only
those who obtained permission from CON-
mapder Graham to 60 aboard the ships
were admitted. and all efforts of Dis
PATCH reporter to get to the monitors were
unavailable.
At 9 o'clock in the morning the scribe
was at the Ariel wharves waiting for the
launch from the feet. Shortly before 10
the gentlemen constituting the court
reached the dock. and in few minutes
the little boat came putting up the river.
COULDN'T CARRY THE SCRIBE.
The DISPATCH man asked permission Of
the cOxswain to go down, stating that If
the court refused him admission during
the investigation he would return TO the
CITY by the next boat. The man IN charge
OF the launch said he could not accommo-
date the newspaper representa- We without
orders 10 do so from his commanding OFF,
Ger. The man of the quill then requested
him TO state the case TO Captain
Graham and ask If he could not be allowed
20 60 down on the boat at 1880 O'Clock.
IN the meantime every endeavor TO secure
a tug was unsuccessful, and the tide was
such that it was almost impossible to carry
row boat down and bring 1t back safely.
When the launch returned 70 the city at
1880 o'clock the coxswain told the news
gatherer. who had waited as patiently as
"A
tain Graham said the matter was then in
the hands Of the board" and that he
could not give the reporter the permission
he desired.
The scribe saw an officer of the court
last evening and asked whether the court
was open TO newspaper-men, and the reply
was in the affirmative.
The COURT ORGANIZED.
At ~ o'clock Captain Augustus G.. Cook,
president of tho court, convened the trI-
bunal. there being present Captain Bart
ley j. Cromwell and Captain George W.
Sumner. Besides these gentlemen there
were also on attendance Judge-AdyOcate
Charles II. Lauchheimer, of Baltimore.
who IS conducting the prosecution, and
Lieutenant l.. w. 4. Waller, of the United
States Marine Corps, Norfolk, counsel for
the defence. The latter will be assisted by
Colonel Jo. Lane Stern, of this city.
The court was duly organized, the OFF,
GERS and members being sworn in and the
instructions and preoepts read 20 the ac-
cused and copy of the order for the con-
vening of the tribunal furnished him.
The latter paper was signed by Secretary
Tracey, of the navy. Mr.. w. j. Woods
took the oath and was installed as steno-
gTapher.
Matters having reached this stage, Com
mander Graham was asked If he objected
to any member OF the court and replied
in the negative.
yEEY MANY WITNESSES.
The subpenaing of witnesses was then
begun aud lasted for some time. IL Is
understood that about $50 men. most of
whom are in the service at this place. Nor
folk. and City Point. will be placed on the
stand. The majority of these witnesses
will DO introduced by the prosecution.
The question as TO the condition OF the
ships stores was then taken up, and, as IT
is one which involves q great amount of
monotonous detail, the court adjourned
till this morning at $3.50 O'Clock.
IL was stated by all officer of tho court
last night that the investigation would
probably consume two or three weeks
time.