Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-18
THE COURT CLOSED.
THE WRITTEN ADDRESSES IN THE
GRAHAM CASE PRESENTED.
A. least Four Of the Charges Unsus'
tsinsd-sevess on Prentiss ana Fife
The Jsdge-Advocate's Refatatiop.

AL open.door proceedings OF tho Ora
ham court Of inquiry are now ended. The
only thing that remains to be done "a the
preparation OF the report TO the Naval De-
partment, and the Judges will meet on the
monitors at noon to-day TO begin their de-
hberations upon the evidence and argu-
ments. They will probably conclude their
labors this afternoon, though what the pa
per to be forwarded 10 Washington will
contain will not be known 10 outsiders, as
the session or sessions Of the court 20 be
held will be in secret in fact. 1t Will not
be given out whether OF not the report OF
the tribunal will recommend court-mar-
tial.
The written addresses Of the accused
and tho Judge Advocate were read yester-
day and submitted 10 the court. These
papers will be forwarded to the depart
mcnt with the record OF proceedings. the
whole Of which will be carefully examined
by the revising authority. The address OF
the accused, which IL nothing more than
written speech of defence, was read by
Lieutenant Waller. II had been duly signed
by Commander Graham. according 10 the
requirements of naval law. The paper re-
cited portions of the testimony, and Its
references to witnesses Prentlss and File,
the former of whom preferred the charges
against the Commander. were severe ana
scathing.
FOUR OF THE CHARGES USsUsrAINRp.
-Four OF the charges the defendant claim
ed had been proved TO be totally without
foundation-those with regard 10 the bu-
reau, the playhouse, the bedstead, and
the refrigerator. Only defaulters and
proven liars would have failed TO see that
the bedstead was not piece Of govern
ment property" asserted the accused IN
his document. Statements OF number OF
witnesses were quoted from, and direct con-
tfadfctions OF the testimony OF DAVIS, who
was of the belief that government material
had been used in the construction OF the
babv-house were cited. Cynical refer
ence was made TO the inability OF Mate
kuhl TO appear as O witness owing 10 SICK
ness. The statements OF Equipment-feo-
man Fife were severely criticised by the
accused. who asserted that. according TO the
testimony of bis shIpmates and messmates,
Fife could not be believed on oath and
was q mischief-maker and schemer. James
ID. Prentss was referred 10 as the last of
the uuartette engaged in the conspiracy
against Captain Graham. An elaborate
exposition Of the conduct of this witness
was given, beginning with the assertion
that he began his "scheming" against the
Commander after he had been on board
the monitors but three weeks. The atten-
ton of the court was specially called to
the evidence against Prentiss by Messrs.
Sweeny and Hannigan. The accused, In
concluding his reference to Prentiss as a
witness. said that he had either wilfully
misstated facts OF had carelessly received
data which was without foundation.
THE STORES AND THE PORTER MATTER.
Quoting from the paper presented by
the accused. 1t says; Not one atom OF
l. 4. 20 hot m -
there has been improper or irregular
issuance or disbursement OF stores during
my command. while. on the other hand, 1t
has been proved that the best of care has
been given government property, and
that the very best interest of the govern
ment has been looked after by me-" The
stores system. introduced by Commander
Graham, was explained.
In regard TO tue language used by Com
mander Graham about Admiral Porter
shortly after his death. the accused ad-
mitted that il was indiscreet anu in bad
taste, but asserted that the offensive words
were spoken in private conversation aud IN
consequence Of an injury once done the
Commander by the late Admiral. The
court was also assured that the greatest
bereavement that had ever befalen the ac-
cused visited HIM at the time of his trou-
bic with Coxswain Oliver, with whom the
Commander is alleged to have made
an agreement contrary TO the regulations
of the navy. The address asked why the
agreement was destroyed. II further as
sured the court that IL had not been
proven that Commander Graham pro-
missed in that paper to do q single thing
that was contrary to the laws or the arti-
Giles governing the service. AS TO the
ANONYMOUS letter. the handwriting in
which two or three persons testified was
much like Commander Graham's, the ac-
4 ID hot a. ha al AN
pared with that of Equipment-Ieoman
HIS VESSEL oyRBBALLAsTED.
The defence then read two letters to
Commander Graham from Fife. These
were dated Sunday last. and one OF them
stated that the writer knew IL was wrong
for him TO overstay his time ashore. but
the fact was that be had gotten his ives
sci oyerballasted with alcohol on the night
before" The second was from Fife but
written by some one else. Ii admitted
that the yeoman had gotten drunk while
ashore and made excuse TO Commander
Graham for having overstayed his liberty
time.
After slight reference to the alleged de-
falcation of Prentiss, the argument for the
defence concluded with the assurance to
the court that the commanding officer had
been surrounded by spies and cOnspira-
tors and urging that preliminary steps be
taken toward crushing these "vipers."
THE JUDGE-ADvoCATE's REPLY.
The Judge-Adyocate then asked that he
be allowed half an hour 10 finish his adj
dress. This was granted, and the court
adjourned for that length of time. When
IL again assembled Lieutenant LAUGH
beimer began reading his paper. 1t was
complete summary of the evidence given
in the case. He stated that II was true
that some of the charges against Com
mander Graham were not sustained. and
he recognized the care and attention given
the ships stores. TINS, he SAID, however,
did not weaken the accusation OF dealing
with enlisted men, cursing and abusing
Coxswain oliver and afterwards signing an
agreement. aud using protane aud abusive
language with reference 90 the late Adj
Inira Porter. lie referred to the corrobo-
rative testimony of "a number OF witnesses
rs 10 these charges. The Judge-Adyocate
stated that the accused had expended his
entire energy In an attempt 70 Willy
the alleged consplrators and In abusing
and assailiDg them. lie challenged
the statement that there was In
the evidence anything that showed
that there was ever q conspiracy
against Commander Graham. Lieutenant
Iauchheimer called the attention of the
court TO the discrepancy between the Off
ciai log of the ship and the certified copy
OF II sent TO Washington. He refuted GER
tain allegations of the accused, and closed
ms address in in earnest aud Impressive
manner.
Court adjourned till noon to-day.
Commander Graham was still unable to
leave hls cabin.