The Portland daily press., 1893-07-21
BOUND OVER.
The Captain and Second Mate of the Hat
tie and Willard Held.


The preliminary examination of the
officers of the vessel Hattie and Willard,
accused of maltreating members of the
crew, was continued before United
States Commissioner Bradley yesterday.
Hon, e. Dudley Freeman and Hon. M.
P. Frank appeared for the government
as on the day before. and Hon. George
E. Bird continued to conduct the case
for the officers. National Organizer
Powers of the Seamen's Union was pres
ent as on previous occasions, and with
other members of the union was much
interested. His sympathies are enlisted
very warmly on the side of the seamen,
and several times Marshal Saunders was
obliged to caution him not to interrupt
the court with comments.
First Mate Reed and Captain Steelman
were examined during the forenoon.
Each gave clear, straightforward story
to the effect that the men had virtually
refused duty, and that they were inso-
lent. Both the mate and Captain Steel
man expressed the opinion that the
amount of force used was no more than
necessary to maintain the discipline of
the ship. Captain Steelman is a good
looking young man of about SO years of
age. He lives in Atlantic City, N. j.
In telling his story he said that he had
the men called early that morning and
they refused to come out of the forecas-
tie until they had coffee. This was vir
tually a refusal of duty, and he went
into the forecastle to see about it. AS
he went in John Levers struck at him,
and he seized Levers and sent him on
deck, following himself. He then went
aft. Hearing disturbance later, he
looked forward and saw the sailor Hans
swinging bucket to strike the second
mate. But the first mate interfered and
knocked the bucket overheard. Later
John Levers was ordered to get into the
boat by the second mate; but instead of
obeying promptly he used obscene Ian
guage. The captains family were
aboard, SO the captain seized Levers by
the neck and marched him forward fore
IDLY.
The captain testified that it was very
necessary at that time that the orders
should be obeyed promptly in order to
get the vessel into the dock on time and
avoid loss. He had tried to get in the
day before, but had been prevented by
the wind.
At the conclusion of the examination
of Captain Steelman, the government
called the sailors Hans and Levers in
rebuttal. They contradicted the testi-
mony of the officers point blank in sever
al important particulars. thus leaving
the matter question of veracity
largely between the men on one side and
the officers on the other.
Mr.. Bird argued briefly, summing up
the evidence against each of the officers,
and holding they had done only what
was proper and necessary TO maintain
the discipline of the ship.
Mr.. Frank made an elaborate argu-
ment of nearly an hour in length, de-
failing the alleged wrongs of the men,
and calling for the detention of the
captain and mates.
Commissioner Bradley rendered de-
cision that the captain, John D. Steel
man and the second mate, John E.
White should give bonds in the sum of
$500 each for appearance at the Septem-
Der term of the United States Court at
Bath. The first mate, Frank Fl. Reed,
was discharged. Captain Steelman
furnished bail, but Second Mate White
could not, and was forced to go to jail.
The four sailors who testified were also
required to furnish bail for their appear
ance, and being unable to do it were also
committed to Jail. But it is pro bable
that they will get witness fees of 81
day each during their detention, so their
captivity. will be more endurable.