Los Angeles herald., 1905-11-26
HEAR CLASSMATES
Of MER|WETHER
TRY TO SHOW Defendant
WAS PROSECUTED
Defense Endeavors to Show Branch
Harbored Animosity Against oppo-
nent and That Fighting Was
Known to Authorities
By Associated Press.

by Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, Md, Nov. 25.-Today's
sessions of the court-martial which Is
trying Midshipman Meriwether in con-
hectlon with the death, after a fight.
or M1dshipman James r. Branch ir
We're very largely occupied with tes
tlInony OF classmates of the accused
ana members of the first class of the
naval academy. The evidence was
intended by the defense to show that
Branch harbored animosity against
Meriwether and prosecuted him and
also that the existence of the practice
or hghting was known to and in n
manner connived at by high officials of
the naval academy. Prominent officers
or the navy mentioned in this connec-
tlon We're Admiral w. Fl. Brownson.
now commanding the cruiser division
or the North Atlantic fleet and who was
the predecessor of Admiral James Fl.
SANDS as superintendent of the naval
academy; Capt. Charles j. Badger, who
was succeeded as commandant of mid
shlpmen by the present commandant.
Capt. p. Colvocoresses, and Commando
Il. {. Colahan, deceased, who preceded
capt. Badger in the same office. 1t was
testified that Admiral Brownson. whiIe
superintendent of the academy had
promised that in consideration of the
aoolltlon Of hazing there would be no
investigation of fights sanctioned by
the hrst class. One of the important
developments Of the day was the order
ing by the secretary of the navy OF the
dlslnterment of Branch's body for the
purpose of holding an autopsy. The
body will be exhumed tomorrow.
Midshipman II. L. Chaplin first class
man, testified that, having been caught
lighting, twenty-five demerits were
given him by the late Commander G
q. Colahan, then commandant of mid
shipmen. He had fought, he said. be-
cause lower class man had run into
him, and the two broke into an unused
room to find quick place for the fight.
Commander Colahan had told him, he
said, that ten of the dement's had been
imposed for fighting and the remainder
for breaking into the room, adding, the
witness stated, that he (Colahan) would
be the last man to stop a fight that was
for proper cause, but that no proper
cause existed for the fight in question
Midshipman H. w. Porter Of the frst
class testified that while he was ac-
companying to the hospital a midship-
man who had been badly used up in n
fight he passed Capt. Badger, then
commandant, who noticed the condition
of the midshipman and remarked upon
it to another officer. At the hospital the
sufferers eye was found to be so badly
cut that ten stitches were required 10
close the wound. There was no investi-
cation Of the case, the witness said.
I. M. Atkinson. another first class
man. testified that Admiral Brownson,
while superintendent OF the naval
academy. had said I'm his presence and
that Of the other members of his class,
that there would be no investigation of
any fight sanctioned by the first class.
This promise was made. the witness
said. to induce them to do away with
hazlng and indicated to them that the
rules imposed by the midshipmens 8
code Of ethics were to be enforced by
fighting instead.
Midshipman Harvey Delane of the
same class substantiated this testi-
many. The court adjourned until Nom
day.