The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-12
COURT-MARTIAL ENDED.
A Summary of the Proceedings During
Long Session-The Findings In the Case
VIII be Learned From Washington.

The court-martial trying Commander James
ID. Graham. ended its public sessions yester-
day. and the officers comprising the court
took the stenographic record OF the proceec-
ings into consideration with closed uoo'S
Their findings in the case will only be iearnsu
when general order is issued from the navy
Department, after the testimony has been fe-
viewed by proper officials in the Judge AdVo-
cate Generals office at Washington.
The charges against Commander Graha ~
were made to tho department by james -
Prentis. formerly hlps-writer at the moni-
tors He was prompted to do so by ms per
sonal animosity towards Graham. Inc lht-
ter refused TO recommend Prentlss 20 the sue
ceedinc commandant of the ships after he
(Graham) had been detached.
The charges were heard by court VI III
quiry composed Of Captains ooVA, oiq'u"er
end Sumner. with Lieutenant Laucnheimer
as iudge-adyocate. Lieutenant Waller. as
sisted bv Colonel 10 Lane stern. OF the II
ginia volunteer forces. appeared as cOuhseI lOi
the accused Several or the charges were hot
borne out by testimony and only shOWeu ZIG
spirit Of luminosity that had innuehceu J reu-
tiss. Evidence in reference 10 other charges,
however demonstrated that there was much
truth in what Prentss had stated IA refer
ence 20 them. and upon these latter charges
the cOurt-martlal was held.
THE cOURT-MARTIAL.
The latter court assembled IN Richmond ~
the custOm-hOuse on March III. Commodore
j. 4. Greer presiding. lie became rear
admiral last week
The charges alleged and specified that
Commander Graham did not wear the badge
# mourning for Admiral Porter the whole
time the order stated that it should be worn
that he used offensive language IN
reference 10 Admiral Porter by say
ing. Yes, Porter Is dead and gone
10 hope. lie ought 70
have been dead twenty-five years ago. NY
ambition IS TO lie a tirst-class fireman IN neil,
where | would make him roast. HIM"
that the rough logbook. where it bore refer
ence to Admiral POrtcr's death anu the car,
rying out of orders issued at that time had
been interllned by Commander Graham, III
asmuch as he had written after state
ment about the general muster that tne
provisions for mourning were ordered 10 De
carried OUT when ia the smooth Iog-oOoK
sent 10 the department at Washington no
such words or nterlineatiOns appeared; that
Commander Graham mad been questioned by
the department as TO whether or not he used
the offensive language attributed 10
him. and that he had emphatcally denied the
charge. knowing that denial 10 be false 10
the disgrace and scandal OF the navy that he
culstu ana hDuntN equipment NDA'leA 4 az
when he said What in the - do YOU want
there If you are not careful | will pat you
on the beach in ignominy." that he cursed
Coxswain Mills Oliver when he said y on are
--- fool a ass and - idiot.
and if | had any one to put in your
place / would dsrate you" and that
lie subsequently did dsrate Oliver. that
lie offered and did apologize to Woman
fite TO the prejudice of good order in the
navy" that he did repeatedly apologize TO
Mills Oliver and signed an agreement with
him. which provided that he lGrahaml
would not Ill treat Oliver IN any manner.
and would use every endeayOr 10 leave the
ships by February 10. 1892. on which
day the orders OK Graham To command the
monitors expired that ne wrote letter OF
suggestions TO Woman Fife, which suggested
that petition be drawn mp and signed by
the men of the monitors asking Hon. George
ID. Wise TO use his influence TO have the
charges that were forwarded by Prentss TO
the department Withdrawn Commander
Graham pleaded not guilty to all Of the
charges.