The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-17
COURTS TRIP TO AUGUSTA.
MAY GO UP BY SPECIAL TRAIN To-
MORROW MORNING.

The Examination to BE in the Pres
ence of the Accused and His Coun-
seI-Maj. III. VI. Adams, Who Was on
the Board of Inquiry Is in the City.
Court Officers Enjoy the Cool
Weather.
Sunday brought a day of rest for the
officers of the court-martial, but this week
they will resume their labors diligently.
Many of the members of the court come
from northern climates. and left behind
them colder climates than they found IN
Savannah on their arrival here. They
welcomed. therefore, the cooler weather
that yesterday brought, and hope for its
continuance is expressed. Sitting for
hours in heavy uniform is not altogether
pleasant on a warm day.
The officers have met many Savannah
ians and their stay here will, no doubt,
be made pleasant one, barring, of course
their official duty, which is not looked upon
in that light. They have all been enter
tanned at the clubs. to which they have
been sent cards of invitation.
The court viii hold very short session
to-day. 1t will assemble at 2:5O o'clock
Augusta tomorrow where a session viii
be held for the purpose of taking the tes-
timony of Mr.. Marion Twiggs, former
inspector and engineer on the works. 1t
is necessary that the court meet and ad-
journ TO Augusta for the purpose of max
ing such adjournment part of the record,
since the record has TO be kept complete.
This could not be done Saturday on ac-
count of the fact that permission from
the Secretary of War for the court to pro-
coed to Augusta was not received until
after O'Clock in the afternoon, and be
yond that hour the court cannot sit. A
special session will have to be held, there
fore, simply for the purpose OF making
this adjournment and having it put upon
the record.
II may be that a special train will be
secured from the Central, consisting OF
one parlor car and an engine for the pur-
pose of carrying the officers and Others in
terested to Augusta. That matter has been
talked of, and in the event il is decided
on definitely, arrangements will be made
for the party to go up tomorrow morn
ing instead of on the night train tonight
There would be twentyfour or twenty
five in the party, including, besides the
officers of the court, the judge advocate
and his assistant, the accused and -FOUR at
torneys, three stenographers, and, perhaps
one or two others. The amount OF the
fares for parlor car and transportation
would be something like $500, which would,
it Is thought, easily pay for the special
In the event the special train is secured
the party will go up tomorrow morning
about O'Clock, and, returning, leave Au-
gusta tomorrow afternoon, arriving here
at night The government pays the trans
portation and parlor car fare of all the
officers of the court, the judge advocate,
and, in case of this kind, of the accus-
ed as well. This trip will also allow the
officers a little more mileage, and in the
event of their securing special train there
would be the saving of some expense.
There will be no long session of the court
to-day for the reason that Col. Barr has
nothing to present until the testimony of
Mr. Twiggs is taken. There is another
reason for it Also Col Barr being desirous
of making an examination Of certain pa
pers now under seal, as he announced to
the court on Saturday and at that exam
nation the accused and his counsel will be
present.
These papers, il is understood, are Capt.
Carriers private papers, relating to private
business matters as well as other affairs
of his private life. 1t was reported that
these papers were brought before the board
of inquiry at the time it held its session
here and that they were in some way put
in control Of the war department. They
were left here by Capt Carter when he
went away from Savannah to his new
post 1t is presumed the war department
has directed Col. Barr to examine them to
see if any evidence in behalf of the gov
eminent can be found. In speaking of the
matter before the court Col Barr stated
that he did not want to break the seals
nor examine the papers except in the pres
ence of the accused and his counsel. What
course will be taken with regard to them
remains to be seen when they are examin-
ed to-day, in case an examination should
be made.
The presence in the city of Maj. Henry
NJ. Adams has been remarked upon, and
there has naturally been some inquiry
among those most interested as TO the
reasons for his coming. Maj. Adams, as
will be remembered, was member or the
board of inquiry which first sat upon
the case, and heard the preliminary tes-
timony Whether he has been summoned
as witness upon any points in connec-
ton with the preliminary inquiry, or is
here for other reasons is not known.
But that will probably develop later.
Maj. Adams appeared in the court room
Saturday, and seemed an interested spec
tator. So far as is known, none of the
other officers who were on the prelimi-
nary board will be here.
The governments case, it appears is de-
veloping slowly, but this is, no
doubt due to the fact, as Col Barr
stated to the court, that he had had
very little time for the preparation of
his case, and had to ask the indulgence
of the court. 1t is said the government
has twelve witnesses to present all told
in which event much more time than was
expected, will be required to complete the
work. If one witness on the average, Is
examined and cross-examined ev-
cry day, 1t will take the prosecu-
ton about two weeks to finish the pre-
sentation of its case. Should the defense
have a similar number of witnesses there
would perhaps be required two weeks
more. and allowing a week or more for
contingencies. il is altogether probable
that the court will be in session for five
or perhaps six weeks longer. This, of
course, Is somewhat speculative, since
some contingency might arise that would
materially shorten the trial. This has
been known TO be the case, and 1t is not
impossible that something should happen
In tsis instance.
The interest in the proceedings from day
TO day has been undated. The court
room in the space allowed the public has
been crowded every day. and many we'll
known Savannahians have spent hours
there from day to day listening with in
ferest to the proceedings A military