The age-herald., 1901-11-21
COLONEL MEADE
 LIKED HIS TODDY
Several Officers Testify That
 the Colonel Drank
COULD ATTEND TO DUTIES
One Witness Says That He Made Nils takes During a Drill and That ~ He Afterwards Ad.
 mltted 1t.

New York, November 20.-The court martial of Colonel R. D. Meade was re- stunned at the navy yard. Major Charles H. Lauchheimer of the United States Marine Corps, who preferred the charges against the officer, took the stand and told of a visit to the marine barracks in Brooklyn on June IS last for the purpose of making an inspection, and stated posi- lively that Colonel Meade was on that oc- casion under the influence of liquor and unfit for duty There was a review of the battalion on that day, and Colonel Meade made several mistakes while con- ducting the drill, and the witness cur tailed the drill, when he saw Colonel Meade's condition was such that it was useless to continue it.
 Major Lauchheimer said that when he returned to Washington he reported the poor drill and the fact that Colonel Meade was intoxicated.
 On ross-examination by Lawyer Sem pie, Major Lauchheimer said he made a close inspection, but denied that Colonel Meade became irritable on account of this close inspection. He persisted in his statement that Colonel Meade's condition was brought about in idulgence of liquor He said that Captain Kane had told him that Colonel Meade had visions" and he (Kane) had jollied "him and sent him away from the parade ground in good humor after telling him funny story.
 During the drill in question. the wit ness said that Colonel Meade had made mistakes and twice acknowledged them, saying My mistake, my mistake" The other officers might not have heard these statements of the colonel. Prior to that time the witness said that his relations with Colonel Meade were of a friendly nature and he denied ever having told Captain Kane that he disliked the colonel.
 Marine Officer Testifes.
 Capt. Theodore P. Kane of the Marine corps testified that Colonel Meade had been intoxicated. He had seen him take two drinks at his quarters in the pres ence of Major Lauchheimer and another officer. The witness said that while the colonel was under the influence of liquor during the afternoon drill, his mind was clear and he performed all the duties re- say positively that Colonel Meade was or was not capable of attending to all of his duties on the afternoon of June IS.
 Lieut.. o. H. Rask testified that he took part in the battalion drill on June IS and said that he believed the accused officer
 
 ties as commanding officer Lieut.. John c. Beaumont of the Marine barracks, Washington, said the actions and manner of Colonel Meade on June IS led him to believe that the colonel was under the influence of liquor, but he ascribed the poorness of the drill not onl-- to the com manding officer but also to the fact that the men were tired after a lengthy in spection.
 Lieut.. R. W. Dikeman of the Marine barracks Portsmouth, N. H., said that judging from his manner Colonel Meade was slightly under the influence of liquor. Lieut.. D. J. Fryer testified that Colonel Meade showed by his voice and manner that he was inebriated on the afternoon In question.
 Wants Record Admitted.
 Lieut.. A. P. Niblack, the judge advo- cate of the court, asked that portions Of the record of the testimony at the court of inquiry in regard to the case be ad- mitted as evidence before the court-mar- trial, Lawyer T. B. Temple, on behalf of the accused, made strenuous objection to any part of the record of the court of inquiry being admitted before the court and quoted several authorities In SUD- port of his objection. The court room was cleared and the officers discussed this point for fully half an hour.
 When the doors were opened again the announcement was made that the objec- ton of Colonel Meade's lawyers was sus- tained. Judge Advocate Niblack then said that he did not want the entire rec ord of the inquiry court admitted, but he said that he would make an argument tomorrow for the purpose of inducing the court to admit some of the record which he promised to prove would be essential for thorough conduct of the case.
 The court then adjourned until tomor- row.