The Portland daily press., 1893-07-19

Before United States Commissioner
Bradley yesterday case was begun
which involves some quite interesting
aspects of the question of the proper
treatment of sailors. The sailors who
in this case are the compliments
are members of the Seamer's
Union; and it happens that
branch of this union has just been estab-
lished in Portland, and that National
Organizer Powers of Chicago, is in the
city at the present time. He was present
at the hearing yesterday afternoon in
company with several local members,
and listened intently to the hearing, and
acted as adviser of the men in one or two
instances.
The vessel where the alleged brutality
occurred was the Hattie and Willard,
Captain John Steelman. She is in the
Kennebec at the present time, being at
Bath yesterday. Hans Swensen, sail
or complains that First Mate Frank II.
Reed and Second Mate, John E. White
brutally beat him at Gardiner, and
brings up Louis Anderson, Edward Hag-
ner and John Lewis, members of the
crew to testify. The two mates were ar
rested at Iceboro yesterday by Deputy
United States Marshals Smith and Nc
Nally, and arraigned at 4.45 p. m.
From the testimony it was evident
that quite fight took place on the YES
sci at Gardiner on the morning of the
18th. The tide was serving, and the
captain sent the second mate to call the
men about 4 o'clock to come on deck.
The second mate did his duty, but the
men did not come up at once. How long
it was accounts differ. The mate says it
was nearly half an hour and that he
called the men twice. The men say that
it was only a few moments. At any rate
it was long enough for, the captain to
grow impatient and go to the door to the
forecastle and ask where they were.
They replied that they had not had their
morning coffee. Thereupon the captain
declared that he would give them coffee,
and dashing into the forecastle he seized
John Lewis by the neck and hauled him
on deck with such violence, John says,
as to tear his shirt Off The other men
followed Lewis, Swensen coming last.
AS Swensen came up the second mate
hit him, Swensen says without provoca-
ton, the mate says because Swensen did
eo1J11u Tho ri Il az. n, ar, tO tha work of
getting the boat out as ordered, but
showed rebellion. Swensen was knocked
over and apparently kicked by the mate.
Then the mate says that John Lewis
came up to take Swensen's part and hit
him (the mate) behind the ear. There
upon the first mate interfered to take
charge of Lewis, when Swensen seized a
bucket and tried to hit the second mate
with it. Thereupon the first mate hit
Swensen. The men deny that
there was any such fighting, and
represent that it was a case
of inexcusable brutality on the part
of the mates. All four of the witnesses
were examined on the side of the crew
by District Attorney Dyer, and Second
Mate White, who appeared for himself,
was also examined Then the case was
adjourned over until this morning at 9
o'clock, in order that Captain Steelman
may be present to testify in Whites be-
half. When it was proposed to send for
the captain one of the representatives of
the Seamen's Union advised Lewis to
make complaint and have the captain
arrested and brought up. But as the
captain was coming willingly the authori-
ties thought that there would be time to
arrest him. latter he arrives.
The two mates were then put under
5000 bonds to appear this morning.
Mr.. Powers, the national organizer of
the Seamen's Union, is fully convinced
that Swensen was abused; and he de-
clares emphatically that it is time for
putting stop to the practice of treating
sailors like beasts.