New-York tribune., 1901-09-25
COURT SHOCKED BY THE NEWS.
ADJOURNMENT TAKEN, BUT INQUIRY WILL
PROCEED TO-DAY.


ADJOURNMENT TAKEN, BUT INQUIRY WILL
PROCEED TO-DAY.
| Washington. Sept. 24-The Schley court Of in
qury was brought to a termination for the day
| eighteen minutes after convenng this morning
/ by the announcement of the death OF Judge VIII
/ SON The announcement was made to the court
| by Isidor Rayner, of counsel for Admiral Schley'
| who said:
have A very sad announcement to make to the
Wilson. left him at 10 o'clock this morning, ing
night saw him this morning At Gcl6ek Te copf app
left him at 10 would respectfuli ASK Lne cotI' I'
If il meets with the approval of the court, to ad-
| 5ourn for to-day
Admiral Dewey then adjourned the court un-
| Ill tomorrow morning.
Mr. Rayner said that. far as he could then
see counsel for Admiral Schley would be able to
| proceed Tomorrow but he added that there
would be a desire to attend the funeral when
| It occurred Admiral Dewey and Captain
Lemiy agreed that this detail could be arranged
| later.
4 The announcement of Judge Wilson's death
created CONSERVATION not only among members
Of the court, but among the spectators. and
some minutes elapsed before people generally
would accept the report. The judge was present
in the court all day yesterday, and while he
had not participated to any great extent in the
proceedings, he had appeared active and wide
awake to all that said and done.
The report first reached Mr.. Rayner In the
shape of a rumor minute or two after Ma
| chinist A. 3. Caxton, of the Texas, the second
| witness had been put on the stand All the
| members of the court and counsel for the gov
ernment and for Admiral Schley expressed the
| utmost surprise and sorrow over the news, Whlle
Admiral Schley himself said:
The news is so shocking that cannot trust my
| / can only say that ] have lost not only clear
| headed and brilliant counsel, but also dear and
ure the news and find myself almost unable to
accept the report.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COURT
The proceedings of the court of inquiry
rendered brief by the announcement of Judge
Wilson'S death Commanders Bates and
! Schroeder were recalled to listen to the reading
Of the official report of their testimony given
| yesterday. and First Class Machinist a. 3.
Claxton, of this city. who had charge Of the port
| engine of the Texas on the day of the battle
| off Santiago had just taken the stand when
the announcement Of Judge Wilson'S death was
received.
1t had been expected by the government that
CIaxton would confirm the statement of Com
mander Bates concerning the reversal of the
| gnes of the Texas. During the short time that
! he was on the stand Commander Bates was
| Captain Parker. and in regard to the steam
| log of the Texas. In reply to the first inquiry
! Commander Bates said the log had been written
| up the day after the battle The other questions
were by the court. and related TO the coal sup
! ply of the Texas May 26 1898, and to the
| condition of the machinery of the Texas on May
! 81. The question of the court and the responses
| to them follows
| Are you positive that the quantity of coal
| reported hand on May 26 correct?"
! Yes sir. nearly anybody be posi-
| ing what sent us, and generally there is no
absolute accurate means by which coal is
| weighed coming aboard ship. All naval officers
| know that coal is weighed to the best of
| ability. and account kept to the best of our
| ability, and it is generally good estimate. 1t is
| weighed out in the same way"
| Was the machinery of the Texas in efficient
| condition for service on May 81
Il should say, by recollection, yes. ! do not
| recollect that anything was wrong about the
machinery
| Judge -Advocate-Is is the day of the lombard
! ment of the Colon that is referred to, the 31st
| of May.
| Commander Bates-There nothing the
| matter with the engines, as l remember On
| that day we were off coaling
| 1t had been the intention of the court to call
| Admiral Cotton, Captain Wise and others
| diately after ClaXton had testified.