Evening star., 1900-10-09
TRIALS IN THE NAVY
INCREAsEDS WORK OF THE JUDGE
ADVOCATE GENERAL.
Prison Accommodations
Compulsory Attendance of Civil
fans at COurts-Martial.

Captain 8. G. Lemly, Judge advocate gen.
eral OF the navy, has made a report to the
Secretary Of the Navy In regard to the op-
erations OF his bureau during the past fiscal
year. He says that an important part OF
the increase OF the business of the office is
the greater number of court-martial cases
both general and summary. that have been
received, owing to the recent increase In
the personnel OF the navy and the marine
corps The appointment of a solicitor, to
be assistant to the Judge advocate general
authorized by the last Congress. will. it is
believed. be of great advantage in connec-
ton with that class of work for which time
and research are essential.
Since the passage Of the act OF Congress
extending the time for the removal Of the
charge of desertion. May "a last more than
200 cases have been received and acted
upon.- About IS per cent of them received
favorable action. Captain Lemly says that
this act OF Congress- will enable the depart
ment to do justice to many enlisted men of
the navy and marine corps who rendered
valuable service during the war of the re-
bellion and who. when they were no longer
needed, left the service without the formal
ity of discharge and are now technically
charged with desertion.
Insufficient Prison Room.
The Judge advocate general says that the
naval prison at Mare Island, Cal, is of In
sufficient capacity to accommodate the num-
ber of prisoners sent to 1t. which num-
ber has considerably increased, owing prin-
cfpally to the large naval force maintained
in the far. east It Is believed, however. that
the $4,000 appropriated by Congress for
enlarging that institution Is sufficient for
the purpose OF accommodating all prisoners
likely to be sent there under ordinary con-
ditions.- The capacity of the prison at Bos-
ton is also reported to be insufficient, and
1U1oo do tn, iS do
ton OF an additional wing to the building.
The prison Is reported to be In satisfac-
tory condition.
Bounty and Prize Cases.
The cases of Admiral Dewey. Rear Ad-
miral Sampson ct al. and Capt. Charles II.
Davis, on account of prizes taken during
the Spanish war, are pending in the Su-
preme Court Of the District OF Columbia.
sitting as q prize court. With respect to
claims for bounty. 1t was found that dis
tribution could not be properly made until
certain questions Of facts and law relating
to the vessels engaged, their cargo. com
parative force, cooperation extended by
shore batteries. torpedoes and mines. the
status and right Of transports. ETC., had
been finally determined. Claims for bounty
were accordingly, referred to the Court OF
Claims. That court has substantially de-
termined all the questions involved. and
the claims have been referred to an audi
tor for detailed report.
Compulsory Attendance of Witnesses.
The Judge advocate general renews his
recommendations for legislation compelling
civilian witnesses to attend naval courts
martial and courts of inquiry, authorizing
the use Of dispositions before such courts,
the smplifcation OF the methods of exam
nations for promotion and retirement and
the recla ssifieatiOn OF naval vessels accord
ing 10 4 more convenient and appropriate
rule than now exists. He lays emphasis on
the fact that while the legislation would
operate advantageously to the department
and to the service generally, no expense
would result therefrom.