New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-22
OWARDTCE INQUIRY OPENS
SECRET SESSIONS DECIDED on BY THE
COURT DESPITE LOUD PROTESTS.
COLONEL. WEIGH THE PRESIDENT, SAYS lhN'
THE PUBLIC WILL DE SHUT OUT TO ENABLE
WITNESSES TO SPEAK FREELY-soME
sEvENrY-FIRsT REGIMENT Off
GERS DISAPPOINTED.

GERS DISAPPOINTED.
Tho cour, If Inquiry appointed by Majo General
Roe on December 10. at the request Of Major Cllh-
ton H. Smith and Captain John n. White, or the
list REGIMENT 10 probe the charges of cowardic'
made against certain officers OF the regiment os
Captains william H. Meeks and Anthony j.
Bleeckcr held its first session last night III the
Board Room OF the 22d Regiment Armory. Sixty
scventh-st and the Boulevard. The court Is indie
nendent Of the court martial which closed on
Tuesday night at the list Regiment Armory IL Is
Intended to get to the bottom OF the charges IN inc
newsnaper articles signed by Captains Meeks and
Blocker The court is made up as follows: Colo
mel Samuel r. Welch of the 65th Regiment Our
fao); Colonel Franklin Bartlett, Of the 22d Regi-
ment; Colonel William II. Lloyd. OF the I'd Resi-
ment (T'roy) and Lieutenant-Colonel Charles j..
Buchanan, Of Albany. judge-advocate. All the
members OF the court were in full uniform. Major
Smith and Captain Whtle were also in uniform
hut CAPTAINS Meeks and Blocker wore civilians
clothes Many fist men were present at the hear
ing Colonel Alexander Bacon was present as
counsel for Major Smith. and Major John II. fayne
as counsel for Captain white.
The court adjourned 10 deliberate whether the
hearing should be secret or public. When II .reas
sembled Colonel Welch. the president. announced:
"Centlemen I wish 10 state that when this court
meets after rs adjournment tonight Il VIII mee'
on December % at 10 O'Clock in the morning. the
sessions will be executive and secret. Any officer
who wishes 10 testify may report TO any member
Of this court or preferably to the Judge Advocate
Any officer knowing Of any one desiring TO TESTIFY
who will give In his name subpoena will issue
7 wish 10 state that witnesses can appear by
counsel"
Colonel Bacon formally protested against SCI
cret session as contrary TO law and justice. He
said that there precedent for secret ses-
sion.
The court ha. decided that matter firmly said
Colonel Welch.
Major Payne arose and made the same protest for
Cantain Whi,tle and received the same answer.
Then Colonel Bacon arose again and read para
yranhs from the rules and regulations Of military
nrocedures one of which said that court-martial
was always open. to the public during trial.
I'VE have nothing TO conceal he said: the
other side have aired their grievances through the
newspapers. and we nave no'hne 10 HUE HUN INC
newspapers
1--WE do not propose to try any case In the news
| noncrs" replied Colonel WEIGH. I'm the first place.
| this IL not trial. We do not have the power to
| fine any one We cannot punish anybody our
| function il simply to investigate and report the
| finding and testimony to the Commander in-Chief
! THAT very opinion" replied Colonel Bacon. may
operate 10 blast tho reputation of gentlemen In
Justice to these men, 1t - iair that inc nearing
| should be public. The character Of men arc at
| stake in this hearing the testimony "s we" as
| The court has decided" said Colonel WEIGH
| finally Il has taken the matter under considera-
ton and It has weighed the paragraphs YOU nave
| cited ,,
A spirited controversy ensued between Colonel
| Bacon and Colonel Welch to the Intention of the
! regulations but Colonel Welch was firm Travel
| ling expenses would be paid all witnesses. no sad
| 10 o'clock The sessions would he from " a. m. 70
and from ss Ms m nn S nPce@kcr would dis.
| clss the secret session when the court hal ad-
/ iourned but members OF the list who were present
| loudly EXPRESSED the opinion that this augured VI
| for the persons to he INVESTIGATED Colonel Welch
however said that the hearing was To be secret to
| enable the witnesses to speak freely