The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-01-30
MR.. V0LNEY V. ASHFORD.
EX-COLONEL OF THE HONOLULU
RIFLES Is IN COURT TODAY.
Some Delay In beginning His Trial-His
Personnel Protests-The
Witnesses.

Owing to the inability Of one
member of the Military Commits
sion to attend this forenoon, a
recess was taken to 1890 p. III. The
business of the morning was the
trial of Colonel Volney V. Ashford.
Yesterday afternoon Ashford OBJ
jected to two members of the Com
mission as judges upon his case,
and they were forthwith excused
by the Court. They were Captains
Pratt and Zeigler. About three
years ago Ashford was made
Colonel of the Honolulu Rifles.
Pratt and Zeigler Immediately re-
signed from that organization and
on account of Ashiord's promotion.
Ashford now feels sure that Pratt
and Zeigler cannot sit unprejudiced
upon his case.
A small audience was present
when adjournment was taken.
Sam Nowlein, Captain Davies,
Charles Warren, George Towns
end, native messenger of Liliuo-
kalani and three Cinnamon are wit
nesses against Ashford.
1t is the desire Of the military
department that Mr.. Ashford be
given the advantage of being tried
before a full court. Therefore
Captain John Good, E company,
and Lieutenant f. O. White, B
company, were appointed by the
Executive to take the places of
Captains Zeigler and Pratt. I.ieute-
nant- Colonel Fisher was unable to
meet with commission at I o'clock.
Sam Nowlein called.
Had talks with G. w. and V. V.
Ashford about uprising. Talked
with the former first. Had two
interviews with him before seeing
V. V. Ashford. First was at Long
Branch, second at Ashiord's house,
and third at Ashford's Office. Had
talk with V. V. Ashford two days
later, December goth. Saw him by
arrangement with c. w. Met
him at II o'clock a. IN. on Waikiki
road according to agreement. When
talking with c. w. Ashford on
December 2Sth, advised him not to
go to Hilo, as he intended doing,
as the uprising would come
off before he conld get
back. c. w. said he was
sorry, but was obliged. He would
see his brother Volney about it.
Then it was thought the uprising
would come off as soon as arms
were landed.
LATE TUESDAY.
At 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon
the Court retired to consider Mr..
Neumann's objection to the juris-
diction of the Military Commission
in the cases of John F. Bowler and
w. V. Ashford. S0n retiring Col
onel Whiting announced that the
authority had been consulted and
the Court would override the mo-
ton of defendants counsel. Bow.
ler's statement was then filed, the
defense having previously CLOSED
without argument.
The case of V. V. Ashford wa:
then taken up. Mr.. Neumann APP
peared for defendant. Neumanr
moved that the trial could not pro
coed as no charge and specification:
, had been served upon defendan
, within five days after arrest. Mr.
Kinney submitted in reply that the
law to which counsel referred
contemplated 1.-THE Court Martialins
of soldier only and had no refer
ence to person arrested for Treason
and to be brought before Militar,
: Commission. After consultation
the Court announced that tn
motion was overruled.
Mr.. Ashford was asked if he hat
any objection to any member of tn
; Court. Objection was then entere'
to Captain Pratt. At this Captain
Pratt asked that he be excused i
!, the objection was sustained by tn
Court. The Court retired and re
turned with the decision that Cap
: tain Pratt be excused. The de
e fendent then objected to Captain
Zeigler, saying that the relation
between himself and Zeigler ha,
n been of such strained nature 70
the past two or three years that tn
latter could not sit impartially
; Captain Zeigler was excused Thi
left but four members present an,
it become necessary to adjourn
Mr.. Ashford said he was willing t
l. be tried by the four gentlemen re
: naming if that were possible. TIL
, Court did not accept this and ad
D jO1rned TO TO a m TODAY