The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-02
PROTECTION FOR WITNESSES.
THE JUDGE ADVOCATE MAKES AN
APPEAL TO THE COURT.


Chain-gRng-Mr. Charlton Some
what Spirited I'm His RepIy-HnIf
Dozen Witnesses Examined on
the Work Neav Augusta-CObb
Didn't Think Much of the Fascines.
Difference in the Price Per Cord OF
Mattresses and Stove Wood.
There was a little tilt before the court
martial yesterday between the Judge Ad-
vocate and Mr.. Walter G. Charlton. for
the defense.
The first negro witness who has been
called during the trial was on the stand.
The Judge Advocate addressed him as
Mr." Cobb, and Mr.. Charlton looked then
as IL he were awaiting his turn.
Upon the cross-examination Mr.. Charl-
ton asked the witness if he had ever been
on the chain-gang, and how many times.
Col. Barr objected very strenuously to this
when the cross-examination had closed
and appealed to the court for protection
for his witnesses. This led Mr.. Charlton to
remark very spiritedly that such questions
were admissible in any court of justice
and he proposed to ask them until stopped
by the court. Gen. Otis then announced
that the witness would be protected.
The cross examination Of Mr.. Albert j.
Twiggs was concluded, and Mr.. Conant
was recalled for few minutes. Then half
dozen other witnesses were examined
all with reference to the work under the
contract An the Savannah river near Au-
gusta. Their testimony was practically on
the same line.
Mr.. Conants testimony was in answer
to some questions by Maj. Stanton show
ing the price Of mattresses per cord in, con-
trast with the price per cord of ordinary
wood at Fernandina.
Mr.. Twiggs said, on the cross-exarnIna-
ton that MIR. Conaht did tell him he
could work more men, but would let him
work on only one jetty at a time, and he
did not think any more men were neces-
sary If Mr.. Conant stated that he tried
to hamper him In any way, or refused to
let him have the use of his steamboat
Mr.. Conant, he said stated what was I'M
| true.
The witness said he had frequently to
go some ten miles below his own farm to
get materials. When questioned again by
Col. Barr, he said he did not hamper Mr.
Conant, because he knew it was 10 his
interest to help him along with his por-
ton of the work, since it meant money 10
him.
You have been asked about a CONVEX
sation, with regard to getting your money
Now, what was that conversation" Col.
Barr asked.
Il said / didn't get dollar from the
work. / got my check and deposited 1t In
the bank to take up some papers. There
was not dollar left coming to me- was
the reply.
Mr.. Blair questioned the witness again
with regard TO this conversation in the
store of the Augusta Hardware Company.
He owed the company a bill, and told the
proprietor of the company he could not
pay it then, as he had received no money
from his work, every dollar of it being re-
quired to pay what he had borrowed.
Have you paid that bill YETI" Mr. Blair
asked
II do not remember" was the reply. ~
owed several accounts at that time, but
had no money. Some of them have been
paid and some of them have not"
Assistant Engineer e. r. Conant was
recalled TO answer a question asked him
the day before by Maj. w. S. Stanton
with regard to the price per cubic yard,
and the price per cord to the government
of the seven-course mattress put into
Cumberland sound under the contract
of 1894, which were sold to the govern
ment a 81 cents per square yard. The
brush, Mr.. Conant said, cost the govern
ment 81. as per cubic yard, and and $11. 80
per cord. In a square yard of mattress
there were l.6S cubic yards of brush and
binder poles.
What was the cost of ordinary fire
wood at Fernandina at that time? Do
you know Maj. Stanton asked
Il think it was about 81 50 per cord"
Mr. Conant replied.
Was there anything to make cord of
brush cost the government, sunk i'm the
jetty so much more than a cord of ordi-
nary fire wood?" Maj. Stanton asked.
No, there was nothing that l know of
to make such great difference" was the
reply.
How about the local conditions? Would
they materially affect the cost?" Maj.
Stanton asked.
ITO some extent they would" the wit
ness replied. 1.-The brush had to be haul
ed some distance, and the work Of putting
it together was difficult The locality was
dangerous one, and several mattresses
were lost in sinking. Only one a day
could be sunk and on bad days nothing
could be done"
Was the work managed well?" was
asked.
Yes. sir, think So" was the reply.
Can you see any reason for the great
disparity In the cost of a cord of common
fire wood and a cord of brush?" was ask
ed.
No, sir, l cannot" was the reply
The witness said the work was going
farther out to sea- and for that reason was
becoming more difficult. He made several
corrections in his testimony when Mr..
Blair asked one or two questions He fin
ally asked the witness if he ever DELAYED
Mr.. Twiggs by getting down late i'm the
morning or taking an afternoon off now
and then.
THAT as somewhat out of order" Gen.
Otis said, land the Judge Advocate OBJ
jects.
our only desire. may it please the
court" Mr. Blair said, with a twinkle. us
to get out the whole truth, as easily as
possible"
There was a smile around the court
room, this being one of the Judge Atlvo-
Gates favorite remarks
we want to proceed in an orderly man.
ner even in getting at the truth" the
Judge Advocate said
Madison Cobb. the only negro witness
who has yet appeared in the case. was
next sworn. He worked under Mr.. Wheel
er, Mr.. Gaynor, Mr.. Austin and Mr..
Twiggs. His business had been making
fascines for the Savannah river work near
Augusta He had also sarvad a. forar,,,,,