Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-10
FIFE ON THE STAND.
History Of the Paper Alleged 20 Have Been
Prepared By the witnsss-coutinu.
alton of Davidson's Testimony.

Inc entlro morning session OF tne 0fh~
BAN court Of inquiry was spent yesterday
in the further examination Of Psymaster's
Yeoman Davidson, who was very rigidly
questioned by the Judge-Advocste. He
corroborated pretty much all the testi-
mony Of other witnesses concerning the af-
fair between Captain Graham and Mills
oliver, the coxswain of the steam launch.
He knew nothing Of the alleged financial
dealings between the Commander and ex-
Equipment Yeoman Palmer, nor was no
aware that the Captain had cursed or
abused any member of his crew. except on
the occasion about which he testified on
Tuesday. Being asked II he recognized
the handwriting of the unsigned paper ad-
dressed to George w. Fife and recommend
ing that petition be gotten up and sent
to Congressman Wise asking his interces-
sion in behalf of the Captain In con-
nection with the charges before the Navy
Department, the witness replied that 1t
looked very much like Commander Ora
hams writing. Davidson said he did not
know of any irregularities in the receipt
and disbursement of stores, nor OF any IN
stance in which government property had
been used for private or improper pur-
poses. Davidson was cross-examined at
some length regarding the alleged agree
ment between Captain Graham and Olli-
yer. The paper. he said, was signed as
originally drawn up. Reavon and Fife
managed the terms and the latter copied
the paper. He did not know that Fife was
unfriendly to Graham.
FIYE PUT ON THE STAND.
Equipment Yeoman Fife was put on the
stand after the recess for lunch and the nrst
matter taken mp was the report alleged TO have
been made up by him against the Cotnmahuer'
r. tl.<. "a. In I'D nj
guage TO him on September 5th, explained what
led 70 the interview between himself and tho
Captain, and stated In detail what occurred. Inc
apology Of the Captain was made IN the presence
of Mr. Fuller who was present when the
offensive language Is said 10 have been used.
Everything tn,n went along smoothly untii
Commander Graham returned after the christ
mas holidays. The original complaint drawn
up by Fife was produced by the Judge-Advocate,
recognized by the witness, and appended TO the
record. Fife reviewed in detail pretty much
what had been already told by other witnesses
about Commander Graham abusing and dis-
rating Oliver and then apOlogtZing ana sign
ing an agreement to leave his command by feD-
ruary 10Th and TO be good towards the entire
crew. Tho witness added: 81 wrote the agree
ment because Commander Graham said he
would do anything sooner than that those papers
OF Mills oliver should be forwarded 10 the de-
partment. l was asked by Captain draham 10
act for him IN this matter. being assured that he
would do anything reasonable go long as the
charges we're not forwarded. consulted Rear
den. the quartermaster, as TO the terms OF the
agreement. He was the advocate ut that Time
for OLIVER"
THE ANONYMOUS PAPER.
After detailing the provisions OF this agree
ment, and stating all the circumstances
what he did with II, &c.-the witness
was handed the anonymous papers al
leged TO have been sent to him asking him
10 get up a petition In behalf OF Commander
Graham. He said II was the paper that he
found at bis desk on Sunday morning, December
9th, and that he firmly believed II was In Cap
tain Graham's own Handwriting. Inc CON-
mander once asked him II he had received
memorandum Of sug gestions. The witness SAID
that he knew of other occasions when COM
mapder Graham used abusive language 10
members OF the crew. He was then cross-ques-
toned by the counsel for the accused and SAID
the agreement between the Captain and Mills
oliver in regard TO his treatment oil the crew
RI al he thought "that will treat the crew more
Ieuiently," &C. "l cannot recall the exact
words" said the witness. al only wrote the terms
OF this agreement once. rough copy was "rli-
ten 10 my knowledge, and not by me. 1 Wrole
the paper in the paymasters once and there
were present the paymasters yeoman, OlllVer,
and Rearden. Prentiss came In later on. 1 did
not go to Captain Graham and ask nun II could
do anything for him Ia regard 10 the Olnyef mat
ter. was fully authorized by him 10 act Tor him
without assistance.
The witness testified that on the evening OF
December 9TH Captain Graham met him up the
street and said: "Wel, Fife, am AFRAID 1
shall have TO leave you, as Oliver still persists In
forwarding those caarges, and he asked him
(Graham) to hod on until the next morning.
The Captain asked Fife II his memory was 30
good as 10 be able 10 recall oates aud minor incl
dents why IL Was that he could not give me
wording OF the agreement about the treatment
of the crew Nltness replied that this paper
YVES written and gotten rid Of at once, and he
could not recall the exact words.
"Can you state positively that this meInoran-
dun OF suggestions Is not a forgery!" asked the
counsel for the accused.
"It came from Captain Graham, that Is all
that know" camo the response
"How do you know that ?"
"Because he left il upon my desk with tele-
gram 10 the proprietor OF the Congressional
notel asking II T. j. Campbell was there
ibid you see him leave III?
Z" | did not"
The court was then cleared for deliberation,
and the court subsequently adjourned till 10 a.
NJ. to-day.