The morning call., 1895-02-02
Private Hanna's Case Sent
to the Governor.
GROSS PREJUDICE CHARGED.
A Claim He Was Convicted Without
Witnesses.
THE COMMANDING OFFICER BIASED.
Found Guilty, Hanna Was DiShOnOrahly
Discharged From the Ma.
tiOnal Guard.

The first appeal case in the National
Guard was sent to Governor Budd yester-
day. Accompanying the appeal is a per-
first one transmitted to the Governor, he
give it his individual care instead of direct
ing one of his subordinates to conduct the
appeal investigation.
The case appealed is one that excited
great interest, and caused several big rows
in the National Guard when the court
martial took place, the charge being made
that the commanding officer of the court
was prejudiced against the accused and
biased in his rulings.
The case appealed is that of Private w.
S. Hanna, Light Battery A, Second
Brigade, N. G. G. The charge against
Hanna was, as expressed in military
phraseology, conduct prejudicial to good
order and military discipline.
This charge was preferred by Colonel
Mcdonald of the Second Regiment. At
tached to the charge were three specifica-
tons. In the first specification he was
accused of disobedience in failing to report
to his commanding officer, after the strike
at Sacramento, where it is stated by
Hanna's friends that he did good service.
The second specification accused Hanna
with being drunk on Jackson street car.
The third specification accused him with
using vile language on this same occasion.
Hanna was tried by general court
martial, convened by special orders from
headquarters, and of which Major Charles
tions Hanna pleaded mot guilty" The
first specification was withdrawn by his
accuser, but he was convicted on the other
two specifications. The court sentenced
him to be dishonorably discharged from
military service of the State of California.
The sentence was considered a very
heavy one, especially as Hanna's friends
and attorney claim that no direct evidence
was produced to prove the charges against
the expelled National Guardsman. So his
attorney drew up the appeal, which has
been sent to Sacramento. In the appeal
gross misconduct and prejudice are alleged
on the part of the court. Secondly, it is
claimed that the charges against Hanna
were not drawn in conformity with the
rules and regulations of the National
Guard; that no time was given as to his
having been drunk, and no witnesses pro-
duced to testify to that fact. The court is
also accused of having erred in its rulings
during the progress of Hanna's trial and
to have exhibited prejudice against him.
All this is strongly inserted in the APP
peal and if its statements can be verified
Hanna has a good case for Budd to con-
slider and may hope for reinstatement in
the ranks. AS matter of form copy of
the appeal has also been transmitted to
Colonel Dickinson, commander of the
brigade. Hanna is very popular among
his fellow-soldlers and feels very keenly
the manner in which he was expelled. He
believes that he was the victim of clique.
The chief interest excited by his case is
that it is the first court-martial appeal to
the new Governor. The action OF Gov
ernor Budd will be anxiously awaited by
members of the National Guard, for if he
decides in favor of Private Hanna it will
indicate his attitude in his treatment of
privates in their differences with superior
officers.