The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1901-09-24
MARINES ON GUARD.
Members of Court of Inquiry and
Witnesses Alone Admitted.
All Irrelevant Questions and Hear
say Evidence VIII BE Cut Out
This Will Shorten the
Term of the Court.

Washington, Sept. 21.-The Schley
court of inquiry reconyened, and be-
fore adjournment examined four wit
Pesses.
Marines were on guard at the rail-
barred out all save members of the
court and witnesses. Later Judge
Advocate General Lemly arranged to
allow members of the press associa-
tons within the railing.
The most important incident of the
day was the decision of the court
Withdrawing a question, put by the
court itself, asking a witness to give
his opinion concerning a point under
controversy. The witness was RI.
Adm. HiggiDson, who participated in
the Santiago campaign as captain of
the battleship Massachusetts. This
vessel at one time was part of the
flying squadron, commanded by Com
modore Schley, and the court asked
him to state whether all possible
measures were taken to capture or
destroy the Spanish vessel, Cristobal
Colon as it lay in Santiago harbor
from May pr to June 1, 1898. Counsel
for Adm. Schley objected to the ques-
ton on the ground that reply
would involve an opinion and not
a statement of facts. Judge Advo-
cate Lemly admitted that the pre-
cedents were against questions of
this character, and the court with
drew this interrogatory.
Tt is generally admitted that this
decision will have the effect of ma
teriallly shortening the term of the
court, rs will also the courts mani
fest intention to cut out irrelevant
questions and all hearsay testimony.
In several cases the witnesses were
admonished to relate only events
coming within their own observation.
Adm. Dewey showed himself Il prompt
and methodical presiding officer. He
called the court to order exactly
at the designated hour, and adjourned
ii just as promptly at 4 o'clock.
The witnesses Friday were RI. Adm.
Higginson, who commanded the bat
tleship Massachusetts during the
Spanish war; Capt. c. NJ. Chester, who
commanded the cruiser Cincinnati:
Maj. Thomas n. Wood, of the marine
corps, who commanded the marbles
an the Massachusetts, and Comman-
der Giles r. Herber, who was eXecu-
tive officer of the Texas, the latter
being on the stand when the court
adjourned. The attendance of the
public was small
Capt. Lemly introduced as evidence
copy of the senate document re.
lating to the Sampson-Schley contro,
versy, together with photographic
Office charts showing the scenes of the
campaign.
''Now will Offer" said Capt. Lem
ly, ga chart showing the positions
of the vessels off Santiago"
Il object" spoke up Capt. Parker,
of Schley's counsel, quickly. "1'he
chart is grossly incorrect. It places
the coast line six miles further south
and four miles further west than
it is in fact.
''The chart does not prove any
thing" explained Capt. Lenlly. "Is
is not put as evidence, but for ref
erence."
Capt. Lemly, the Judge advocate
general, then read the order of the
navy department., appointing Adm.
Ramsay to be member of the court.
Il ask you, Adm. Schley, if you
have any objection to any member of
this court" said Capt. Lemly.
Il have not" replied Adm. Schley.
Capt. Lemly then swore in the mem
bers of the court, the three bending
forward, and each grasping a small
Bible.
Capt. Lemly was himself sworn in
by Adm. Dewey, and in turn admin
istered the oath to the clerk and re-
porter of the court.
Washington, Sept. 23.-The testi-
mony at Saturdays session of the
Schley court of inquiry was unfavor-
able to the admiral.
Capt. Harder repeated his state
ments that the sea was not too rough
to coal off Santiago, and declared the
only signals observed off Cienfuegos
before proceeding to Santiago were
he thought, between the Spanish
forces.
Commander Schroeder, who was
executive officer of the battleshir
Massachusetts at that time, corrob,
GRATED most of Capt. Harber's testi-
nony. He declared that during the
bombardment of the Colon the Amer
clan ships might have gone in closer
He also testified that Adm. Schley
at that time, had given orders to
get away, saying, LETS get out OF
this"
Delivered an Address of EuIOgy.
London, Sept. 23.-Chaplain James
j. Kane, United States navy (retired),