The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-11-24

Annapolis, Nd, November 22.-hlld-
shipman Minor Meriwether, Jr. Of La
Fayetto, La, = member Of the third
class Of the naval academy, was put
on trial here today before a naval
court martial on charges that inc'Hde
that oI manslaughter, in having caus-
ed the death Of Midshipman James Il.
Branch, Jr, OF New York, a me:rbe:
Of the class above him, as ra5ult
place or the evening of Sunday, No
vembeT 9Th. last. Operation was per
formed N Midshipraan Branch the
next night, bat he died on the fol'o'v-
ing Tuesday morning.
The sad incident OF the death OF
Young Branch under such circun-
stances has been widely noticed, AMI
has called attention to the existence
at the academy Of an unwritten code,
governing the student body, but quite
outside of the authoritative regula-
tions and generally in violation OF
them
Under the CODE" every detail OF
these fights is liked, the midshipmen
on duty abstaining from reporting =
them. These facts were very clearly
brought out both by the judge aGvo-
cate and in the cross examination by
Lieutenant Commander Robson for
the defense The witnesses today IN
cluded Branch's loom mate. the ref
cree and tim6-keeper Of the contest
and all the four seconds were exam
ined in a greater or less degree about
all the circumstances of the fight. the
connection Of the code, and their IDEAS
Of their duty nader the regulations
Midshipman A. W. Fitch, who refer
reed the fight which was followed by
Branch's death, stated that he had Of
ficiated in nineteen such contests, ami
McKitrrick testified that he had taken
part in nine.
Detailed accounts were given Of the
arrangements hv which MidshiDmen
on duty acquiesced in absences with
out leave. and ether derelictions. in
order that fights might so on, and the
testimony also chowed that although
frequently severe injuries resulted
from these fights. and the recipients
often had to be taken to the hospital,
nothing further was ever heard OF
them. This the defense brought out
on cross examination, it being evil
dently intended to show that the au-
thorities also winked at the code and
the arranged fights under it.
Interesting sidelight to hazing, Or
running" as 1t is called at the acaG-
emy, developed from the testimony OF
one of the midshipmen. Meriwether
had been generally disliked, he sald
because he was 100 "ratty, that is, 1t
was explained, that he did not abide
by the rules laid down for the gov
ernment of the lower classmen. Some
of these were that he should never en-
ter Lovers Lane" an academy walk
that he should turn all corners al
right angles, should not look at an
upper classman, and should answer
most respectfully when addressed by
one of them, that he must never touch
the table, nor ask for anything during
a meal, and under no circumstances
fuss that is II be in the society OF
young women. These rules and mali,
others are contained in that part OF
the code" relating to the government
of under classmen. Branch had been
one Of the m,dshipmen who, accord
ing to the testimony, determined tC
make life mot worth living for Mer
iwether. because he would not abide
by these rules, and from that enmity
arose.
notable incident which occurred
just at the beginning of the trial was
the objection by counsel for the de-
fense of Commander Sidney A. taun
ton as a member of the court on the
ground that he had expressed TIE
opinion that Meriwether should be
dismissed from the academy and Tx
sustaining of the objection on ihe
part of the court.
A surprise deveIoped in the FAC
that United States District Attorne,
John C. Rose. of Baltimore would as
sist Captain Mark, judge advocate. II
the prosecution. Mr.. Rose was as
signed to the work by the department
of iucfioo ot fha roruoct 0f the nav,