Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-09-09
Postponement of Sehley Court Not
Expected.
ARRANGING FOR TWO DAILY SESSIONS
Attorney General Refuses to Aid
the Judge Advocate.
SUSTAINED BY THE CABINET

quiry were In conference at the Navy De-
partment this morning, namely, Admiral
Dewey, the president Of the court and Ad-
miral Benham. Admiral Howison has not
yet come to Washington. Admiral Dewey
was In conference with Judge Advocate
Lemly for some time respecting the ar
rangements which Capt Lemly has made
for the seating of the press and spectators
In the court room and the provision for
guards. &C. Unless the Presidents con-
dition should change materially for the
worse. which is not expected here In view
OF the encouraging morning bulletins Ad-
miral Dewey says the court will meet
Thursday next at o'clock pm. exactly as
ordered In the precept and the inquiry will
begin at once.
1t had been supposed that several days
would be consumed in organizing the court
and In dilatory adjournments pending the
Beginning OF the real work of the inquiry.
This however, Is not the plan of the court,
and the determination is to settle down to
work Immediately. If objection is made to
any member of the court that objection will
probably be disposed Of by the court itself
In short order; 1t certainly will not be al
lowed to delay the beginning of the in
quiry many hours, much less days, accord
ing to the present temper Of the court.
Arrangement of Sessions.
During the conference between Admiral
Dewey. president Of the Schley court, and
Captain Lemly, Judge advocate of the court,
at the Navy Department today it was ar
ranged that the sessions of the court should
be held daily from 10 to IL o'clock and
from 1 to 3 o'clock. This does not apply.
however, to the time for the assembling of
the court, which is fixed by the Secretary's
order at o'clock pm. on the 18th instant
The regular sessions of the court will begin
in accordance with the arrangement made
this morning at 10 o'clock on the morning
OF the second day. The hour for closing the
daily session is not fixed arbitrarily at 3
o, clock, but will be as near that hour as
the condition of the proceedings will JUS
tify. In accordance with the orders of the
department the court will sit continuously
from day to day, Sundays excepted, until
the investigation is concluded.
Another officer Of the. court was created
today by an order detailing Capt. Henry
w. Carpenter Of the Marine Corps to duty
as provost marshal of the court. AS such
officer 1t will be Captain Carpenters espe-
c1al province to preserve order and proper
decorum on the part of the spectators in
the court room. He will also exercise i'm
mediate command over the small squad of
marines detailed to various duties in and
about the court room. Captain Carpenter
was well-known newspaper correspondent
and entered the Marine Corps as volIn-
teer at the outbreak of the Spanish war.
He served in the West Indian campaign,
valided home. Since January last he has
been stationed at the marine barracks in
this city.
Commander Schroeder Heard.
Among the witnesses examined by the
Judge advocate general Qemly) today was
Commander Schroedre. naval governor of
Guam. who has just arrived in this city
from his distant station. He was execu-
tive of the battle ship Massachusetts, dur
ing the West Indian campaign. but was not
present at the battle Of Santiago.
Other prospective witnesses who reported
at the Navy Department are Commander
Switzerland, formerly attached to the
Gloucester. and Lieutenant Commander
Sears. schley's flag lieutenant.
Refuses to Lend an Attorney.
BUFFALO. September 9.-Acting Secre-
tary Of the Navy Hackett has been press
ing Attorney General Knox. both by wire
and letter, to appoint one of the assistant
attorney generals to assist Capt. Lemly,
the judge advocate Of the Schley court of
inquiry, in the conduct OF the case before
the court. The Attorney General how
ever has declined to take a step which he
believes would look like a government
prosecution Of the officer under investiga-
ton.
The government. in his opinion, should
have no part in the inquiry. 1t is an in
quiry under the Navy Department, made at
the request Of Admiral Schley, and the
government has nothing to do with It, The
President himself recommended Admiral
Schley for promotion, and now for the De-
partment Of Justice to detail an officer I'M
der 1t to assist In the conduct Of the case
would inevitably be construed as a desire
on the part of the administration to con-
vict Admiral Schley.
The Attorney General was sustained in
his position by all the members Of the
cabinet whom he consulted. The whole
question was gone over carefully at a meet
ing held in the Glenny House, adjoining the
Milburn residence, yesterday. Attorney
General Knox wired his decision to Acting
Secretary Hackett yesterday.
The members of the cabinet have TO
knowledge Of any suggestion Of postponng
the Schley court.