Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1905-11-25

Annapolis, -Midshipman Minor
Meriwether, Jr., of Lafayette, La,
member of the third class of the ma
val academy, was put on trial here
Nov 22 before a naval courtmartial on
| charges that include that of man
slaughter in having caused the death
of Midshipman James r. Branch, Jr.,
of New York, member of the class
above him as a result of a pre-ar.
ranged fist fight which took place on
the evening of Sunday, Nov ., last.
An operation was performed on Mid
shipman Branch the next night, but
he died the following Tuesday morn
ing,
Midshipman Meriwether pleaded not
guilty to each charge and speciiica-
tion separately.
The court examined a number of
witnesses for the prosecution, includ-
Ing Capt George P Colvocoresses,
who as commandant of midshipmen,
has direct charge of the discipline of
the institution.
Most of the testimony in the fore
noon bore on the second charge, that
of violation of the third clause of the
eighth article of the rules for the gov
ernment of the navy. the specification
being that Merlwether had called
Branch sneak and a coward.
In the course of the evidence, the
fact of the existence Of the code"
body Of laws contrary to the regula-
tions Of the institution, was clearly
established.
The original makeup of the court
was changed by the withdrawal of
Commodore r. l.. Phythian, who was
excused at his own request, and Capt
E. B. Berry detailed in his place, and
by the decision Of the court that Lieut.
Commander Staunton was not quail
fled to sit in the case, the defence
having challenged him for having
expressed the opinion that midship-
man who had killed another in fist
fight should be dismissed from the
navy.
U. S. Dist, Atty. John c. Rose of
Baltimore is assisting Capt. Mark,
judge advocate, in the prosecution.
Mr.. Rose was assigned to the work
by the department of justice, at the
request Of the navy department.
The accused is defended by Lieut.
Commander James X. Robinson, u. S.
NJ and James NJ Munroe of the An
napolis bar.
The first two witnesses called
were Midshipmen James P. Van de
Carr and Earl w. Pritchard. class
mates of Branch.
Van de Carr said that on Oct 81,
Meriwether told him that Branch had
done all he could to make his (Meri-
wethersJ life miserable while he had
been at the academy, that he hated
Branch and was going to make him
fight if there was any fight in him.
Pritchard was the roommate of
Branch. Merlwether had, Pritchard
said, come to the room occupied by
himself and Branch, accompanied by
Midshipman Yeager. Branch had
gone to bed. Meriwether accused
Branch of acting unfairly towards
him by using his official position as
midshipman in charge of the floor to
report him for minor infraction of
the rules. and charged Branch with
having a grudge against him.
1t was explained that fourth class
man, for instance, has. according to
the "code." to keep away from GER
tain walks of the academy, turn
squarely at corners. never to look at
an upper class man, never talk to
girls, observe certain regulations when
eating and speak most respectfully
when spoken to by an upper class
man. This, it appeared, was still the
unwritten law of the institution.
DR.. Robert e. Hoyt, head of the de-
partment of physical culture at the
academy, testified that although Meri-
wether was slightly older, heavier and
taller, Branch's percentage of strength
was about fifth greater than Meri-
wethers.
Commander Colvocoresses stated
emphatically that there was no
"winhng" at fighting at the academy,
and added that every such offence
would be punished severely if known.
He showed the court the gloves
which had been turned over to him as
having been used in the fight They
are known as punching bag gloves,
and are used as a protection for the
hands when punching the baL, and
have almost no padding.