The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-26
THE DAYS TESTIMONY.
Many wOrdy Wars Over the Ad-
mission of Evidence.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25.-When the
SchIey court of inquiry convened at the
navy yard at IL o'clock to-day there was
general comment upon the fact that the
seat which had been occupied since the be-
ginning OF the sitting by Judge Jere VIII
son was vacant. He had endeared himself
not only to the members of the court, but
TO all persons about the court. and sorrow
was shown I'm every countenance. Com
ment upon his sudden taking off was very
general throughout the courtroom. The
business of the court, however was prompt
ly resumed at the usual hour.
In answer TO a question from the Asso-
ciated Press. Admiral Schley to-day stated
that since the death of Judge Wilson
Attorney General Jsador Raynor would be
the leading counsel in his case and that he
would be assisted by Capt. James Parker
of New Jersey, and by Mr.. NJ. A. league
of Baltimore. as an expert assistant
The wall back of the court was adorned
to-day with a chart on a large scale show
ing the ground site of the battle of Santi-
ago on July 3 The southern coast of Cuba,
I'm the vicinity of Santiago. was plainly
marked and the points at which the Span
ish ships went To the bottom or TO the
shore were all indicated in plain lettering
There were also a number of transparent
charts which had been prepared over night
sitting about in the rear of the room and
which were intended to illustrate various
phases of the Santiago campaign All these
had been prepared with a view of expe-
diting the work OF the court and all were
on a large scale
The first witness called to-day was Mr.
A. b. Claxton, the machinist on board the
Texas. who had begun his testimony when
the sttinss of the court were so abruptly
terminated yesterday morning by the death
of Judge Wilson.
MrsClaxton said on July 3. 1898. he had
been on duty in the engine room of the
Texas. The engine Indicator had called for
full speed ahead early in the morning
which had within an hour after the be-
ginning of the action been changed to "f,Iu
speed astern." To his knowledge there
had been no signal for the reversal of the
engines lie said that he had been ex-
cused from service in the engine room. but
still he knew that the engines were re-
versed for about two minutes His testi-
mony substantiated mat previously given
TO the effect that within the first hour of
the engagement the engines of the Texas :
were reversed about two minutes ON
signal
COTTON'S DISPATCHES
Rear Admiral Cotton. now cOmmandant
OF the Norfolk navy yard. who commanded
the auxiliary cruiser Harvard during the
Spanish war. was the next witness. He
told OF meeting the flying squadron un-
der Commodore Schley. of Santiago on
May q. lSeS. and said that on that day
he had delivered dispatches 10 the then
commodore from Admiral Sampson and
the Navy Department. lie had he said
boarded the Brooklyn about l0:30 o'cIock
nhe weather was then moderate and he
had had difficulty in going aboard the
Brooklyn from his boat. He had worn his
sword.
What conversation took place between
yourself and Admiral Schleys" asked Cap
tain Lemly.
1t Will be impossible for me 10 state the
entire conversation the witness RENTED
al was on board. generally speaking from
sSOut half past 10 10 about noon The con
sefsation naturally covered a very wide
range the most important part of which
VAS. OF course. relative to the dispatches /
had delivered"
what was said about the dispatchesg''
Il delivered 10 Commodore Schlev the
original cipher in which the dispatches
lid been received by me at ST. Nicholas