New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-05
CAPTAIN SUMNER on TRIAL.

THE CoLUMBIAs COMMANDER BEFORE a COURT
MARTIAI,-NoTEs FROM THE NAVY YARD.
Contrary 10 a rumor which gained considerable
currency In the Navy Yard before the trial began
Captain George w. Sumner. OF the cruiser Co'um-
bia did not plead guilty TO the charges against
him when called before the court yesterday 10 peau
The members OF the tribunal assembled In the court
martial room In Building No. l. at O'CLOCK. one
change has been made In the list since the order
vas issued and the personnel Of the court Is as
follows: Commodore Montgomery Sicard. president;
Commodore Rush r. Wallace. Captains Allan v
Reed. Alfred T. Mahan, Norman H. farqunaI'
James OKane, Henry b. Robson, Winiieid >
Schley Bartlett J. Cromwell Date OF me Auah'a' III
place of John W Philip, Silas W. Casey ana LOUIS
Kempn with First Lieutenant Herbert L. Draper
OF the Marine Corps. as Judge advocate The first
hour of the proceedings taken up In reading the
order Of the Secretary converting the court, and the
charges and specifications, which have already Deen
published in The Tribune and SHORTY AFTER z
o'clock Captain Sumner was called in and through
hts counsel Lieutenant Commander Adolph Mark,
OF the Minnesota. pleaded not guilty.
The first witness was Leutenant-ComHander
Charles O. Ailibone the executive officer OF the
Columbia His testimony was similar 10 that gwen
by him at the court of inquiry and he was fol-
lowed by Lieutenant John A. Dougherty, OF the
cruiser Paymaster George II. Reed and Lieutenant
William L. Burdck who repeated the story OF the
previous court and showed that the injuries TO the
vessel were caused by lack Of caution In allowing
| her to be locked at Southampton without having
the dock pumped after another vessel had been
| in and the keel blocks arranged according TO the
docking plan board the cruiser. AT oc.ock the
| court adjourned until 10 o'clock to-day when Lieu
tenant William Fl. briggs will be the first witness
| 1t is Nkey that Captain Sumner VIII De caled AT
| time during the days proceedings, ann the
| court will probably finish the taking OF testimony
by tomorrow afternoon and forward It's report 10
Washington on Saturday.
Naval Constructor Francis T. Bowles went TO
Washington last night for a consultation with the
head Of the department. and Assistant Constructor
| Zahm will be In charge OF the work In the yard
| to-day. No orders had been received yesterday In
| regard TO the Atlanta, but her officers be-
ginning pack up preparatory 10 leaving the ship.
| Already the premonitory rumbings OF ante-elec-
! ton work are heard in the yard and usual
4 lots of things In the yard which need prompt at
| tenion and extensive repairs. The first Job 10
give employment TO the tried and true aborers with
votes the repaving OF some OF the streets around
| the sawmill end OF the yard. and for this work.
| which is 10 be done by the day instead OF by
| contract about $500 Belgian books have been
| unloaded on the wal near the timber dock. The
| work will begin In few days and proceed slowly
| Another opportune job which has been decided on
| is the reconstruction OF Building No. o. which was
| slightly damaged by fire short time ago This
building Is to be rebuilt. and Will keep about 100
men busy. also at days work at least unit. after
election II is not at ali improbable that other
necessary work will be found the pressure he
| comes stronger. and for a month before the battle
| of the ballots the Brooklyn Navy Yard will be one
OF the busiest PAGES within The limits OF the
| Greater New York.