Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-04-09
DENIES THE CHARGE.
COMMANDER GRAHAM SAYS he DID
NOT CURSE ADMIRAL PORTER.
He spent Yesterday on the stand-His Tss-
timouy Over-rhs Oiiiver Agree
ment, ships Logs. &c.

Commander Graham was on the stand in
his court-martial all day yesterday. He
resumed by stating that he did not curse
Admiral Porter. but only spoke IN o gene
raj way OF the absurdity Of wearing badges
of mourning in every case.
Replying to the Judge Advocate upon
cross-examination the Commander stated
that he appeared before the court Of in
quiry as witness in his own behalf. He
was next asked If he did not make state
ment then in variance with his present
testimony.
The testimony gwen at the court OF in
auiry was read. Il was to the effect that
he was aggrieved by an official act OF Ad-
miral Porter FROM which ho (Graham) SUI
fered for several years; that it seemed Q
mockery for him to wear badge OF
grief, and he so expressed himself aud
that he was so worked up that be may have
used language that was indiscreet.
The Judge Advocate inquired which
answer was correct. The accused replied; /;
Both"
Commander Graham stated that he did
admit before the court of inquiry that he
NAV have used indiscreet language about
Admiral Porter, and that be would admit
it then.
THE SHIPS Loos
The Commander was told by the Judge
Advocate that he had testified that be
was In the habit OF making alterations
and corrections in the rough log. and
asked if he could point out any other IN
terliueatlon except that on February IL,
1891. He replied that to answer TINS
question would require a comparison OF
the two logs. The court then interrogateu
-, xvhakhar N mt ha WAS
in the habit of making alterations In tho
rough log aftes the smooth log had been
sent on to the department, aud the Com
mander stated that he did not think he
was. A.,
"Why did you not make known TO the
court of inquiry the fact that you had
made that interlineation II you had
nothing to conceal III the matter =
aueried the Judge Advocate.
~ will answer that by saying that did
not dream that a misconstruction would
be placed upon my action responded the
witness.
"How is it that you failed to discover
the commission then. and year later sup
Piled it ?" asked the Judge Advocate.
Il don't know why did not see IT then,
but whens the correction was made my
attention was called to 1t by my having q
court of inquiry upon me-"
The court here took recess for lunch.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.
AT the opening OF the afternoon session
| the witness was Intercepted as to the
| language alleged to have been used by him
| to Fife at thel loarpenter-shop on septem-
| Der 10th. The Judge Advocate asked the
| accused why he did not forward Flies re-
port 10 the department if it was true one
| or discipline him il II was false one. lie
replied that he did not have the original TO
port, and that Fife never asked him tc
send il on. "Yes, sir" said the accused
in answer to another question. " sac,
| knowledge that | said yesterday that
apologized 10 oliver. Yes. l believe
also stated Yesterday that neither author
ized Fuller nor Fife to- act as my, agent II
| the oliver matter. / acquiesced III VIVA,
Mr.. Fuller did in regard TO the trouble;
| told oliver to return TO his boat and OBEY
INV orders. / think this was after OLIVER
| had been to the mast and asked permission
| to lay his case before the Navy Depart
| ment. renstated him because thought
| L had treated him unjustly."
| "Why did you not forward Olliver's re
| port to the Navy Department 2" querlee
| the Judge Advocate.
Because oliver withdrew it," was tho
rejoinder;
Because | signed the agreement &C.
cording to his DESIRE"
THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT.
| Commander Graham then again CAV
the terms of the agreement betwe en- him
self and Mills Oliver, which did not var
materially from what he had said concern
ing the paper on the day previous. The
Commander said the reason he signed thi
paper was that he did not want the Oliver
charges forwarded.
This having concluded Commander Ora
hams testimony, the court adiourne'
until $50 O'Clock to-day. The defenc'
will probably introduce one or two more
witnesses TO-DAY. and possibly some re
buttal evidence will be furnished by th'
Judge Advocate. Thetria is practically
ended, and both sides will very likely pre-
sent their written addresses to the court
This BODY will then deliberate in secre