Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-16
THE CAPTAINS STORY
HE TesTlFlEs IN REGARD TO The
CHARGES MADE AGAINST HIM.
Porter Had wronged Him snd He Spoke
Indiscreetly-1he oliver Agreement
Why He signed 1t, &C.

me naval court OF inquiry met as usu"A
on the monitors yesterday morning. ana
the feature of the days proceedings was
the testimony of Commander Graham, VINO
while upon the stand maintained posi-
tive and steady air. giving his testimony
in straightforward and convincing way.
Captain John A. Curtis was the first wit
ness called. He gave the substance OF
conversations which had occurred be-
tween Mate Kuhl, who was the Captains
executive officer when he first took charge
of the ships, and himself. In the
course of his testimony Captain Curtis re-
ferred TO the apparently excellent discip-
line that Commander Graham had maln-
tanned since he was placed In charge OF
the monitors. Reference was made to the
general gossiping between the crew OF the
ships and the crew OF pleasure boats stop
ping at the monitors, which had been
stopped by Captain Graham. Messrs.
Thomas f. Hannigan and james Hayes ties:
titled TO conversations which they had
had with certain members of the ships
crew. but this was not OF special impor-
tance.
THE CAPTAIN ON THE STAND.
After the recess for lunch counsel for
the accused stated that they would like
for Commander Graham TO go on the stand,
which was allowed. The Captain started out
with a detailed explanation of the condition OF
the ships stores. When he came on board the
vessel he found that tho keys OF the store-room
we're kept In the shlp-Tfiters onice ana
That tnis was lounging place Tor
any one who wanted TO go in there.
lie removed the keys Of the store-rooms TO his
cabin and ordered that no one be allowed In the
Office OF the ships-wrtter except those having
business there. III found that stores were be-
ing issued by toe mate and no pass-Dooks were
used. He then established the daily pass-oook
system. This he did in the interest OF the gov
eminent 10 save the large issue OF stores. The
Captain, said he, also inaugurated the weekly
account-book, which. was approved every seven
days by him.
Commander Graham explained the refrigera-
tor question, stating that he made the purchase.
When he asked tho price the salesman said II
was Sl4. IL was a little SCARED. and the Cap
tein called the clerks attention to this, and the
latter said II the article was paid for In cash he
could have 1t for sl2.75. Captain Graham said
no reported this to Paymaster Lowell. and that
the latter said the bill would have 10 20 through
the regular channel Tho refrigerator was re-
| ceiyed at sl4.
BUREAU AND BABy-HoUsE.
Continuing his testimony, Commander Graham
said: " | allowed Psym ,ster Lowell 10 carry one
OF the ships bureaus ashore so that he could
have place 10 keep the books and papers oi
| the government overnight. The bureau was re-
| turned in good condition. Yes, 1 sold a bedstead
on board these ships. IL was the property OF
Mrs. Graham. Yes, sir: playhouse was
built on these monitors for my little girl:
| The lumber and all the material used
was my own, aud tho carpenters mates volun.
| tarily offered TO make the house, and did 50 in
what Is known as the mons own time. bought
| things through Equipment-Y Yeoman Palmer
while here, as he was merchant at City Point,
and as | founi that could set them through
| hiI1 at q smaller price than could purchase
| them myself. The articles were simply little
presents for members OF my family. lie ap-
| preached me in the matter. did not look upon
| II az dealing with an enlisted man, but simply
| as dealing With merchant.
PALMER WRITES TO THE CAPTAIN.
| letter written by Palmer TO the Captain since
| he left the monitors WAS identified, read aloud,
| and appended TO the record. It stated. among
other things in refutation Of charges against tho
| Commander, that the accusation that the latter
| had forced hun (Palmer) to lend MIN money was
an "nternal lie" and that while II was true tnat
| he had purchased articles for tne Captain the
| latter always paid him cash or In a few days.
lie stated in a certificate IN connection with the
| charges that Commander Graham was the most
careful officer with the ships stores that he ever
| knew
| In resumIng his evidence Captain Graham ex-
planned the cause for the allegation that Palmer
had received greater liberty than other nrst-
class men, " lie was not given any special favor
| IN liberty" said the Commander " that Was re-
| fused the other men. understand that ne VAS
| accustomed TO receiving the same free time be-
fore came here" The accused at this point
submitted for the inspection Of the court the Of
hcIal cave book OF tbs ships Tor the purpose Of
showing the exact time allowed Palmer and
! others all along.
THE ORDERS WERE oBEYED.
"The general order concerning the death Of
| the late Admiral Porter was published 10 my
| crew." answered the accused. "it WAS obeyed
| by me and my officers, as far as l recollect.
| know IL was carried out by me. put the mourn
ink on my blouse. | also used another piece OF
black cloth on my oyercoat. | would take this on
| In the evening when l went uptown ani put II
| back on when / returned 10 the ships In the
| morning There may have been times when the
| mourning was Inadvertently left OF by my boy,
but Il was not through any dlsrespect to Admiral
| Porter"
''You are charged with having used abusive
/ language concerning the late Admiral Porter
| lhortly after his deatn; state what you said2
| asked the Captains counsel.
| ~ do not remember exactly what words used.
| I remember that felt that from the great in-
jury received from Admiral Porter IN having
| me relieved Of the orders which had been gwen
| me 10 command vessel, and from Nhicn SUI
tered for several years, IL was sort OF mOckery
| tor me to wear a badge OF mourning for him,
| and 1 so expressed myself. | may have used
/ language that was indiscreet, &c. 1 expressed
| myself upon Admiral Porter IN private conyef-
| satiOn with friends, or supposed friends.
| THE OLIVER AGREEMENT.
Continuing, Captain Graham said "ln re-
| gard TO the alleged agreement between oliver
| aud myself, II was SIMPLY a statement that
| would not ill-treat him beyond the powers gwen
| me by the regulations OF the navy II he with
drew the charges against me for swearing at
| him. When ! agreed 70 sign this must nave
been insane. | had been suffering Tor several
! days with an guish OF mind, consequent upon the
| receipt OF bad news from home, was told that
\ il did not sign IL that the report against me
| would be sent to the department. did not
/ realize what was doing"
| For reasons gwen by the counsel for the ac-
| cused. the court adjourned until 10 o'clock tnls
morning, when Captain Grahams examination