The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-11-06
THE scHLEY COURT OF INQUIRY.
arguments to Begin on Monday
Morning.

GA0 SiOASoeO1 es0eAS0O 9111OPAOSC
stands against the hall occupied by
the Schley court of inquiry pointed
l2.45 o'clock today, when Judge Adj
yocate Lemly announced that he had
no more witnesses to call, and when
Mr.. Raynor, following him, said that
no witnesses would be summoned on
behalf of Admiral Schley in surrebut-
tai. For moment it appeared as if
the now famous case was about to
reach a sudden conclusion. But this
delusion was soon dissipated by the
announcement on the part OF Captain
Lemly that he might ask to be allow
ed to bring in one more witness on
Monday and also statement from Mr..
Raynor that Admiral Schley would
himself desire to return to the stand
on Monday to correct errors in his
evidence as officially reported.
There is probability that the admi-
raj will consume considerable time
in going over the printed record OF
what he said, and there also is an
understanding that he will make some
additions to his former statements.
But it is not believed that beyond
what he may have to say there will be
much more testimony taken in the
case. The only witness that the Judge
advocate still has in mind is Lieut..
Strauss, and Captain Lemly said to
day that If the lieutenant's attendance
could be secured he would detain the
court for q shors time only. Captain
Sigsbee also will return to the stand
Monday to make correction in the
testimony given yesterday by him.
These details completed, the argu-
ment of counsel will be begun, and
then counsel and the public will with
draw and leave the court to its deilbe-
Eations. The task before the court is
not a light one, and it may be weeks
before the final verdict will be reach
ed. How long the court may take to
consider the evidence is entirely
problematical. The members of the
tribunal are evidently preparing to
devote considerable time to the con-
sideration of the testimony, for they
have taken rooms in the city for that
purpose. The testimony covers /, 500
printed pages and the court sat So
days in listening to it. With the addi
tions yet to be made in the way Of
arguments and documents the record
probably will run over l, 100 pages.
Admiral Schley was in the court
room half an hour before the proceed
ings began, but he announced that he
would not be able to undertake the
correction of his testimony before
next Monday. There were five whole
days of it," he said, and to go over
it and make the necessary corrections
is not a light task It. is probable
that he will have something to say
concerning his interview on May 18th
with Admiral Sampson relative to
which Captain Chadwick spoke yester-
day.
Today's witnesses were Syl-
Eester Scovel, former news
paper correspondent who saw
service in the Cuban campaign;
ieut. Hood, who commanded the
Hawk during the Spanish war;, and
also number Of officers who were
heard yesterday and who returned TO
the stand to correct testimony. The
court held only one session and ad-
Soprned over until Monday. The
attendance upon the court today was
the smallest since the sessions began.
The court was six minutes late in,
entering the hall today, this being
The first time that absolute prompt
ness has not been observed. Judge
Advocate Leraly announced that coun
sci had agreed on the order Of the
speeches in closing the case, subject to
the sanction of the court. Mr.. Hanna
is to open for the department He
will be followed by Captain Parker
and Mr.. Raynor for Admiral Schley,
and Judge Advocate Lemly will cclose
for the department Admiral Dewey
announced that this arrangement was
satisfactory to the court.
Captain Lemly then brought up the
question of the character of the argu-
nsent to be made, saying Z
would like for my own informa-
lion to ask the instructions of the
court as to whether or not we are ex-
pected in the closing argument to con-
GRe ourselves to the evidence and to
the scope Of the precept as defined by
the court. I mean the arguments
both of counsel for the applicant and
by my associate and myself. -
Mr. Raynor: eve have to confne
eorselves to the evidence but l do not
want to be entirely restricted. We
cannot allude to any facts that are not
IA the evidence, but we will in max
Jag our allusion do it very respectfully
sad within proper bounds.
Capt. Lemly: st think that should
be the general scope Of the argument.
The court has defined the scope of the
precept, but of course we could not
undertake and the court won't under
take to restrict ourselves entirely, I
assume, in stating just exactly the
words and the manner and SO on. That
@onld be a question which at the time
they would have to say whether it was
groper or not. -
Mr. Raynor: "Of course, in making
IN argument we won't pretend to
zefer to anything not in the record.
he are bound by that, but do not
want TO have any more restrictions
paaced upon my argument than I
would have in any other court. I want