The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-01-11
OFFICER QUALITIES A
PLEA OF GUILTY
TO CHARGES
Lieutenant Campbell, Of the
Twenty first Admits a
Measurable Degree of
Guilt When Charged Be-
fore Court Martial With
Disobedience-Hearing Is
Again Adjourned.

AT 1:S0 p. m. yesterday fourteen off,
GERS in full-dreSs uniform sat around
the long library table in the admins
tration building at Fort Smelling.
They were assembled to try by court
martial Lieut., Neil A. Campbell, Unit
cd States TWentyfirst infantry. for VIC
latlon of the twenty-first article of war
and also charged by the war depart
ment at Washington with Willful dis
obedience of orders in refusing to an
sWer- relative to errors made in his re-
port while acting in the capacity of
commissary Of United States Twenty
first infantry, in the Philippine islands.
Lieut.. Campbell was defended by
Lieut. L. Tracey BOiSeau, United States
artillery corps, Fort Smelling. --~
A few moments before the APPOINTED
hour the accused made his appearance
smoking a huge pipe.
Roll was called and -nene-foun6 miss
ing. The accused was then asked if he
had any objections to any member of
the assembled court. In firm, clear
tones he answered.: None. sir!"
The court was then asked by the
judge advocate whether any member
of their number had any reasons to put
Torth as to why the counsel for the ac-
cused was Objectionable. There was no
dissenting voice. The court was then
sworn in in body; to the effect that
they would well and truly try, ac-
cording to the rules and usages of war.
and upon their honor as gentlemen
the merits of the case in hand. Each
member of the court was given the op-
portunity to be affirmed if any obiec-
tons were raised to being sworn. None
awaited themselves of the privilege.
The charge was then read to the ac-
cused by the judge advocate as the
Tepresentat tive OF Ike president of the
The first charge was that Lieut.. Neil
A. Campbell did violate the twenty
nrst article of war, and did wilfuIIy
dlsobey and disregard the orders of his
superior officers. The second charge was
divided into the six specific branches
as relative to the disregarding of the
letters received from Washington.
The violation of the twenty-first ar
ucle OF war is capital offense, pun
1shable by death, if, in the estimation
OF the court the evidence will sustain
such a sentence. IN
The accused was, upon the conclu-
sion of the reading of the charge, ask
ed what should be his plea. He re-
pHea, Guilty, but for the words, did
win you please furnish the court
with written plea-as you use certain
words? 2 asked. the judge advocate. This
was done.
What is your plea to the first speci-
hc ssd,:1 of the second CHARGE"
ITO the second %
mot guilty"
The same plea was entered as to the
third, fourth, fifth and sixth. When
asked what was his plea to the second
charge as whole, he answered,
Guilty"
Hereupon thejudge advocate inform
ed the court that he was notsin readi-
ness to- proceed with the court-martiaI.
as certain documentary evidence from
Washington, expected days ago, had
not yet arrived. 1t was impossible to
proceed without it--in capital cases de-
positions and such evidence are not
permissible, and the length of time nee
essary to get the testimony to and from
washington necessarily delayed mat
tiers greatly.
Certain members of the court were Of
the opinion that the trial could be pro-
ceeded with, and the representatives of
the press were excluded while the court
argued the matter among themselves.
The decision arrived at was that the
court be adjourned till Monday at 1870,
subject to a change In hour to II a. m.
In case the papers should arrive in time
to open the court at that hour.