The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-06-30
FIND WATTS GUILTY.
VERDICT OF THE MILITARY COURT
OF INQUIRY.

1t Recommends that the Governor Repri-
msnd General Watts and that Fishburne
be Dismissed from the Service and Dun
ming be Reprimsnded.
After session of six days and the
examination Of ifty.four witnesses the
court of inquiry charged with investi-
cation of the College campus trouble
reported its findings to Governor FL
lerbe on Thursday. In its fin ding the
court says:
To His Excellency, w. 81. Ellerbe,
Governor and Commander-in in Chief.
Sir: In obedience to your special
order dated June 7th, 1897. a court of
inquiry appointed by you ito examine
into conduct of all officers and men
connected with the disturbance which
occurred on the grounds in charge of
the South Carolina college at Colum-
bia, Friday, May 1897" the said court
convened at the State House at Co1um.
bia at 10 ~, on the day named. "a
thorough investigation of the affair
and its causes" was instituted for three
days, during which 40 witnesses were
examined. The testimony of these
witnesses was taken down by q COM
petent stenographer and covered,
when transcribed, 1874 pages. This
testimony is herewith forwarded for
the information of your excellency,
together with the exhibits accompany
ing the same. On June 18th the court
took a recess until Tuesday, June 22d,
at IL m. Recovering on Wednes-
day, June 23d. On these two days IA
witnesses were examined; their testi-
mony, covering IS pages, is also for
warded herewith, together with an
itemized statement of expenses of the
court After a most thorough investiga-
ton of the disturbance which occurred
upon the grounds in charge of the
South Carolina college at Columbia,
Friday, May 28th, 1897, and its causes
we beg leave to report the following
findings of facts together with our
opinions and recommendations there!
on: The review, inspection and drill
having been completed, the purposes
from which the troops had assembled
we're accomplished.
In the battalion dress parade which
was about to be held the adjutaut and
inspector general did not have any
Inherent right and could not take any
official part as no position or participa.
ton ia this ceremony is prescribed for
such an officer, and he could be pres.
ent only by courtesy or by invitation
of the colonel commanding, and was
therefore, without authority to com
mand the troops.
In taking and retaining a position
amidst q crowd of turbulent students
at or near third base, thereby encroach.
ing upon the lawful territory OF the
baseball players and uselessly inter.
fering with their game, when ample
and suitable grounds were available
near by, General Watts showed seri-
Gus lack of judgement and disregard
for the rights of others. His ordering
the battalion forward for the purpose
of clearing the field was an assump:
ton OF authority that was unwise, an
necessary and u~nwarranted.
Since from the circumstance OF the
case a trial by court martial could re-
suit in nothing more than q recon-
mendation to your excellency that the
matter be brought to the attention OF
the general assembly; and, since we
are Lot restricted to recommending q
court martial, but may say what, other
faction is called for by the interests
of the service, or is otherwise desirable
to be taken," we respectfully recon-
mend that your excellency lay the
whole matter before the general as.
sembly for such action (at its next ses-
stony under Article XIV OF the Const1-
tuition of 1895, as that body may deem
proper.
We further recommend that the
governor and commander in-chief
publish a general order reprimanding
General J. Gary Watts for serious
lack of judgement and disregard OF
the rights of others on the occasion OF
the disturbance on the athletic grounds
of the South Carolina college at Co
lumbia on May 2Sth, A. D.. 1897.
OF course, it is to be regretted that
Col. Jones failed to mention the fact
to General Watts that the written per.
mission given for the use OF these
grounds was for the 26th Of May, and
not the 2Sth, and the further fact that
in said written permission the military
were requested TO con6ne themselves
as much as possible to the eastern por'
ton of the grounds.
Fur,hermo ore the colonel OF the regl.
ment, or its adjutant, in accordance
with section 66S of the Infantry drill
regulation, United States army, under
the head of General Rules of Be.
views" should have designated specltl.
cally by a flag some place on the
grounds as "the post line," which said
post could then have answered asa
convenient point from which the ad,
,iutant general could have witnessed
Inc dress parade.
We further recommend that Private
Fishburne of the Richland Volunteer
Rifle company be discharged from
the military service of the State, and
in support of said recommendation
we would call the attention OF the
governor and commsnder.in-chief to
the testimony of said Fishburne, to-
ge.her with that of Capt: Frost, the
Commanding officer of said company,
when re called to the stand.
We further recommend that the
captain of the Richland Volunteer
RIA, company b, directed to publish
an order reprimanding Private Dun
ring of said company for leaving the
ro l., u;,h0,,t nermissiOn,