Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-27
ENDOF THE INQUIRY.
ihe Military Court Concludes the In.
YestisatiOn Of Reshnental Affairs.
EVIDENCE OF THE LAST DAY.
Further Examination Of Colonel Jopcs
consumes tho Most Of Two Sessions
The Argument Las. Night.

NN~NN''' RNNiANSc Ol NNt court OF IN
auiry appointed TO decide whether or
not the censurc placed on certain Of his
en'eers by Colonel Jones. Of the First
Regiment, was Just, has been concluded.
The testimony is all in, the argument OF
founssl has been submitted. and all that
scw remains for the court 10 do in order
10 conclude the work for which Il as
semoled is TO render their verdict or
l2inion.
The inquiry has been n most thorough
ana wesrisOme one. and the witnesses
have been given the widest possible lati-
nde as TO their testimony. Every point
NAT could possibly throw any light on
Me subject under investigation has been
thoroughly sifted. and certain IT ia that
counsel on both sides have been inde-
tatigabie in their efforts TO introduce
VERIFYING germane TO the inquiry.
Colonel Jones was on the stand through
sut almost the entire day yesterday. and
be was subjected to the most rigid cross
examination by Captain Anderson. The
argument was gone into after supper last
night. and was concluded only few
moments prior to midnight The court
has taken tn. evidence under Amusement.
and Will probably render its decision to-
morrow. No idea as to what this decision
will be can be obtain.d.
Details of the Day.
The members OF the court were some
what late in assembling yesterday morn
Ing. and It was II O'Clock before the bust
hess Of the session was gone into. Colo
nel Jones was recalled 10 the stand. but
before his examination was continued Mr..
Meredith read several letters 10 Colonel
Jones. received yesterday morning from
Acting Brigadier-GenerAl Male. in rea-
ton 70 court-maTtial TO try Private +.
4. Mayo. and instructing Colonel Jones
70 oToer a general court for that purpose.
Some controversy here arose as 10 the
evidence given by Captain Gasser. in re-
iGllon 20 the court martial ordered by
Coionel Jones for the trial OF DePricst,
ana he was recalled. lie testified that the
question OF the legality OF the court
war raised there and overruled. and he
WAS allowed TO retire.
Colonel Jones's CrOss-cxaminaton was
then continued. lie WAS asked numerous
questions concerning his testimony as TO
the general courts-martial ordered by him
previous 70 the court OF November 9th,
but hts answers were not satisfactory
and but little information was ELECTED.
iis stated that he derived his authority
g. order a general court-martial from
General Order No 8. clauses l and 4. HIS
understanding OF that order was, ne
said, that he was empowered 10 order
general court-martiel. a regimental court
martial. or a company couTt-martial \
ceurt appointed by him could only Try
any case sent TO Il by him. Such court
would no; have the power 10 try COM
raiss!oned officer. Notwithstanding the
tac; that II was a general court-marual.
ARMY USAGES AMI CUSTOMS.
CAPTAIN Anderson propounded numerous
hypothetical questions 10 the witness VI
reiaticn 10 the usaccs ana customs OF the
army. and M. Meredith made objections
q elrnost all OF them. lie claimed that
captain Anderson was asking questions
which were calculated 10 mislead the
witness. and Captain Anderson replied
That he considered the witness fully able
10 take care Of himself. The two attor-
news induced in exhaustive arguments
and every phase Of the question al issue
Yss clearly and poiutedly set forin.
The court sustained Captain Anderson
and permitted him 10 proceed. In answer
10 the question. Is there any article or
wnr which empowers you - appoint
general court-lnartial?" Colonel Jones re-
tered 70 article No -, which says that
any colonel commanding separate de-
partrnert Is 50 empowered. tie con-
eiaeTed. however, that this did not apply
90 hin, except with General Order NO
T. existence.
ire hour Of o'clock having arrived.
recess was taken until SD o'clock.
The Afternoon Session.
Colonel Jones resumed his testimony
Immediately after recess. The question
I rrr~s- .s1f. y if4l a
been ordered through brigade head
CHARTERS by Colonel Jones was brought
10. and. 81 the request OF Captain Ander-
scn. Major W. ~. Evans, acting assistant
Ietutant- general. was summoned TO APP
bear before the court
Colonel Jones was asked II he had
EVER appointed a neld-oficers' court. and
replied that he had no recollection Of
ever having done 50. Being asked why
he thought 1t necessary to send TO Colo
moi Male the proceedings Of the court
martial OF November 9Th, II he was
scting under order No 8, he said that he
wanted 70 get the highest authority posi-
DE on his action. Notwithstanding he
thought his order was authoritative.
Captain Anderson asked witness If he
e.dn't consider that he had done his
o.rcers a great injustice in his letter 10
Colonel Male. advising him that the
court had adjourned In direct OPP
position 70 his Colonel Nalles) order
Colonel Jones replied that he was not
prepared 10 make any such admission.
Being somewhat harassed by the ques-
items OF Captain Anderson, Colonel
Jones stated that he had endeavOred
20 answer all questions clearly and 10
the best OF his ability. and If he could
not state facts, as shown in the records,
81 was the fault OF his memory alone.
Ee stated that he would not DO his
officers an injustice. and had no intention
Df so doing IN his letter 10 Colonel Male.
HAD TOO MANY MEMBERS.
In explanation Of his having ordered
the court 10 consist Of thirteen mem
Ders. he Said that having In his mind.
DO doubt that he was authorized 10
order court under General order No.
3, ne must have COMPOUNDED that with
army northumberland instructions
20 the seIgeaHt-majOr 10 increaS 81
the number Of members OF the court
without thinking. Referring 10 Captain
Andersol's statement that ne had tod
Colonel Jones that he would post the
Ju6ge-Adyocate a. 90 the illegality Of
the court. Colonel Jones said ne had IN
recollection OF his having made any such
suggestion. Captain Anderson asked
Colonel Jones n he thought II the Hust.
sngD Court were 20 pass upon IS own
legality, and decide that & was illegally
constituted by the Legislature, would !;
eot have 20 carry the question 10 the
Supreme Court
Mir Meredith objected 10 this saying
that he had 10 objections 70 having ms
client practice before the Hastings Court
but he thought he hadn't been at the
bar sufficiently long 20 90 before the
eupreme Court.
W'tness stated that according 10 in
formation received through Captain Gun
bingham. Lieutenants Haverty and Rus
teli OF Company h, were the two mem,
befs Of the court OF November 9TH VINO
Foto6 against the proposition that the
tcurt was Illegal. lie was asked
pointedly IL these two officers were pres
snt at the assembly OF the members
bf tie court Ia headquarters room. ana
tnswered that, 10 the best OF his recol.
lection. hey were.
ONLY DID IFS DUTY.
Co'one' Jones was made 10 so over IN,
same ground In relation 10 the inca, nq