The Washington times., 1906-01-27
Probable That Authorities
Force Confinement Be-
fore Dismissal.
YOUNG MELVIN ON TRIAL
Legal Tangle Causes Case
to Go Over Until
Next Monday.

ANNAPOLIS. Nd. Jan 27-It is the
general belief here by naval officers
and others that Midshipman Minor
Meriwether. jr.. of Louisiana. who was
recently tried by court-martfaI on the
charge OF hazing. has been convicted
OF the charge. but that the Navy De-
partment will find a means by which
he would be compelled TO serve our
The years term OF confinement to the
Academy grounds. in conformity with
the sentence of the previous eourt-mar-
t.al. which convicted the youth Of the
minor charges growing out of his fatal
hst-hght with the late AIidshipmau
Branch in November.
Melvin On Trial.
George II. Melvin, a midsbipman.
third class, Of Genessee. Ill. was ar
raigned before the naval court this
morning, charged with hazing. He is
charged with the bazng OF FIVE mid
shipmen Of The fourth class. and also
OF using abusive language to one
'plebe." Edgar y. Caldwell, OF GIas-
gov, Kentucky. Owing 10 a tangle on
a legal point, raised By counsel for the
accused, the court adjourned until Mon
day.
When he was called TO answer to the
charges and specifications. Melvin.
through his counsel, Lieut.. S V. Bra
ham, I. 5. n, entered a plea in bar Of
trial. Lieutenant Graham took the
ground that the court was without
Jurisdiction TO try the case. because
the act OF 1874. under which the hazing
cases are being tried. was repealed hy
the act of March . 1885. This Iarer act
he pointed out, gave Jne Secretary Of
the Navy power 10 appoint court
martial ana approve the proceedings
and the TWO ac-s were not in harmony
he said the cnltrt-martial was there
fore, unconstitutional, having Deen con-
Nened under the act Of 1874 instead Of
that OF 1885.
Question a New One.
After a few moments delay the Judge
advocate replied that this question was
a new one before the court. ana he asked
that an adjournment be taken until Mon
day morning. In the intervening time
he said he would consult with the Judge
advocate general OF the navy and other
authorities for information on the point
a issue. The court then adjourned until
Monday
Before adjournment. however. counsel
for the accused gave the judge advocate
a hint as 70 the course he was 10 pur-
sue. He said that second plea in bar
would be entered. and he would attempt
to show that the act Of 1893 also repealed
that of iS95. He also raised the question
as 20 the proper definition OF hazing. but
the court has previously ruled on this.
Bloebsum Found Guilty.
| The verdict in the cases OF Claude B.
/ Mayo, OF Columbus. Mass, and Chester
/ A BIoebaum. Of St. Charles. No. were
read TO the brigade of midshipmen at
/ dinner formation today. Mayo was ac-
/ Quilted and BlOebaum was found guilty
and ordered 20 be dismissed.
| Mayo's trial brought out that he had
| never hazed before anG the court evi-
IDENTIFY took the view of the case that
ne misunderstood d lieUtenant's re-
marks TO mean that the plebes needed
/ hazins. II was shown that he was not
| a hazing man.
The case against Bloebaum showed
some OF the meancst haZing yet brought
10 light. and his dismissal was expected
| by everyone who has followed the
case.