The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-06-24
MILITARY RULE DECLARED.

The Courts TO be DeTed---W0rK on
the Galveston to Go On Despite
the Injunction.
Richmond, Va, June 19.-Judge
Grinnan, of the Richmond Chancery
Court, today granted an Injunction
restraining Lieuts Thesis and Groes-
beck, United States, navy, from pro-
ceeding further with the launching Of
the cruiser Galveston, under construc-
tion in the Trigg ship yards here.
The injunction was granted on petit
tion of S. H. Hawes & Co, of this city,
supply creditors of the Trigg Company,
now in the hands of a receiver and re-
strains the Government officials and
all other persons from in any way in
terfering with any of the property
at the Trigg yards, under control of
Lilburn T. Myers, the receiver, and
especially the cruiser Galveston and
the dredge Benyard, under construc-
tion for the Government. Lieuts
Thesis and Groesbeck were sent here
by the navy department. to superin
tend the launching Of the Galveston,
which it was the Intention of the de-
partmert to send to the Norfolk yard
for completion. All preparation had
been made for the launching of the
vessel on Monday next.
GOVERNMENT DEFIES THE
COURT.
Washington, June 1S.-It is stated
here that proper respect will be shown
the mandate of the Courts so long as
they keep within their jurisdiction,
but that the navy department. cannot
submit to any interference with It's
rights. The cruiser Galveston, at
Richmond, it was added, will be
launched when ready. Secretary
Moody is not at all disposed to act
hastily regarding the Galveston, but
indefinite delay upon the construction
Of that vessel in the event of an in
ternational emergency might prove a
grave matter, and the department,
therefore. feels bound to proceed with
the work as rapidly as possible. It is
hoped that the vessel will be in condi
tion for launching next Monday after
noon.
Secretary Moody was Informed to-
night of the action of the Richmond
Court restraining the Government
from further work on the Galveston,
but declined to talk on the subject
until after conferences to be held
tomorrow with the President and the
!. ;torney General. Attorney Gene al
Knox also was unwilling to be quoted
in the matter until his opinion, rem
dered to the President, as to the juris-
diction of the Government over the
Galveston, has been made public. It
can be stated, however, that the At
torney General regards as eminently
well taken the contention advanced by
Rear Admiral Bowles, chief of the
bureau of construction and repair,
that no Court has the right to interfere
with work OF war vessel, and that
the Government would be warranted
in calling Federal troops to protect
its agents engaged in such work.
Instructions have been sent Lieut..
Thesis and Naval Constructor Groes-
beck, in charge of the work on the
Galveston, to proceed with all posi-
BILE dispatch in the effort to get the
ship ready for launching on Monday.
An invitation has been sent Miss
Ella Sealey, Of Galveston, Texas,
selected as sponsor for the vessel, to
be present on Monday to christen the
Galveston with the traditional bottle
Of champagne. Capt. Charles Train
will act as the representative of the
Government.
When the Trigg Company failed last
spring they also had under construction
an hydraulic dredge for the war de.
partment and revenue cutter for the
treasury department. These vessels
will be taken to the Norfolk navy
yard, together with the Galveston, for
completion there.
Locks, it is feared, may have to be
constructed in the channel leading
from the Trigg yard before the Calves
ton can be got out and this work may
require six weeks time or more. The
Government has no objection to the
supply creditors of the Trigg Company
proceeding in the Court to protect
their rights, but it takes the position
that work on war ship is too import
ant to the nation at large to be delay
ed while private firms are adjusting
their financial difficulties with one
another.
The plan of action decided on is
practically unique in the history Of
the navy department.. It was decided
on only after the President, the At
torney General and the Secretary of
the Navy had given the subject their
careful consideration.
It is not expected that the people of
Virginia will regard the action of the
navy department. as in the slightest
degree rejecting on the sovereign
rights of that State. The department
feels that it has acted with unusual
leniency toward the Trigg Company
and regrets that financial embarrass-
ments of the company should have
necessltated seizure of the vessel.
q 9 When the Galveston is launched a
IL -