The Washington times., 1895-02-02

Scandalous conduct is the principal addi-
tional general charge by the Secretary OF the
Navy against Ensign Willard L. Dodd of the
Constellation, now on trial by court-martial
at the navy yard for sundry misdemeanors
unbeeoming an officer of the Navy.
His trial on charges of failing TO pay board
bills in Washington and New York was about
to be completed about a week ago, as then
stated in THE TINES, when the Secretary of
the Navy adjourned the court-martial in
order to lay the new charges before the
trial board.
The accused. with his counsel Mr.. Beall,
was in court yesterday, where the new
charges were read, to which he pleaded not
guilty Judge Advocate Lauchelmer ap-
peared for the government.
The substance of the new accusation is that
on June 80, last year, Ensign Dodd was de-
tailed 10 conduct a survey on the st. Croix
River, with headquarters at Calais, Me. In
June. July, ana August he was advanced by
the Fish Commission 5000. Up 10 August 10
he had accounted for-all of the money except
S220.l3. On September y he wrote letter
to the commission in which he stated that he
had sent. under separate cover, vouchers to
the amount of Sl1327 and money orders for
the balance.
DENIED BY THE POSTMASTER.
This settlement not having arrived Acting
Fish Commissioner Herbert A. Gill tele-
graphed the fact to Ensign Dodd, and also
instituted an inquiry of the postmaster at
Woods Holl, Mass. where Ensign Dodds
communications were posted, as to what had
become OF them. The reply from the post
master was that no money orders had been
taken out by Ensign Dodd. This was on Sep
tamber 81
The foregoing facts were given in testi-
mony by Mr.. Gill.
Judge Advocate Laucheimer then put up
William p. Titcomb, disbursing officer of the
Fish Commission. His testimony went TO
show the delay by Ensign Dodd In account
ing for the money advanced to him, and that
be finally paid up the Sl06.S6 due in cash
about the Sd of October.
The only interesting matter in relation to
the trial is a statement of his case made by
Ensign Dodd IN writing 10 the Secretary OF
the Navy Application was made TO the
judge advocate for copy of this letter, but
that officer said that he could not give out
its contents.
ADMITTED BY THE ENSIGN.
Ensign Dodd admits in this letter of ex-
he had written the disbursing officer of the
commission TO the effect that he had sent
vouchers and money under separate covers
to settle the balance of 5000 unaccounted for.
He admits also telegraphing that fact.
He then goes on TO say that after sending
these communications, on his way to the
post-of1ce. he stopped at the house in which
he was living, with sufficient money in his
possession to get the money orders. While
at the house he cashed a check, payable 10
his wife, for so. He then bought check
from one of the financial officers of the Fish
Hawk 10 which he was attached for S21. 75.
making S9l. %. the difference between that
and SlO6. SO being provided for by voucher
|. for expenses.
He mailed these checks in a post-office
street box, but soon thereafter found that the
check made payable to his wife would not be
Immediately convertible into cash, and so he
had the letter returned to him, it not having
been taken up by the carriers. As soon as
practicable after that time, which he said was
about October 2. he got the money and
settled in full with the commission.
The hearing will be resumed at 10 o'clock
this morning.