The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-09

Boston, Feb. s.-MaJ. Henry Leonard
to-day made an argument in behalf Of
DIR. Ansey D. Robnett, charged with con-
duct unbecoming an officer. This was
followed by the officers Of the court
martial going into secret session and
agreeing upon a verdict II is the gen
eral opinion among the officers at the
yard that DR.. Robnett has been found
guilty.
Mai Catlin, Judge advocate, announced
that he would not make any argument
as there had been no contradiction Of
facts
Mai. Leonard said that he regretted
MAJ Catlin had not made any argument
from which he could CLEAN something for
discussion. He said he had examined the
testimony with care, but could not find
much contradiction IN the main points.
eft is charged. that on December j.
DR.. RObnett accompanied Paymaster
Aud. but it is not alleged even that he
had a feIonious purpose when DR.. Cowles
was asked 10 leave" said Maj. Leonerd.
The other specification is that this was
followed the next day by the expression
Of a few polite ciYilities over the phone.
Not Involved with Aud.
ION the dance incident all witnesses
absolutely agreed, so there is no need
OF any argument. There is nothing IN
the evidence TO indicate in the slightest
degree that DR.. Robnett was connected
with Paymaster Auld's proceedings. e1-
cept that DIT. Cowles has few neoulous
thoughts and in that way deducts a be-
lief that DIT. Robnett aided and aoetted
Aud In kicking him out
Mat. Leonard paid tribute to Mrs. Cowles
for her loyalty 90 her husband
Continuing. he said:
Regarding the phone conversation, DR..
Robnett asked Dr. Cowles about Miss
Hesler's photographs. Or. Cowles re-
torts 1t IS none Of his business-a little
term he favors.
"Dr. Robnett testified" he then said,
that If II were not returned. he would
speak 70 Rev. Mr.. Kilbourne. from whose
house DR.. Cowles took IT, and action
would be taken DR.. Cowles then asked
Robnett to meet him at his house.
NO one assumes that he asked DR..
Robnett there for social greetings or con-
ventionalities. DR.. Robnett said he would
not meet him there. but would elsewhere.
DR.. Cowles then called him q coward,
and DIT. Robnett got q little too forcible
IN his language. The last statement DR..
Robnett made IN his letter sent TO DIT.
Cowles the next day IS consistent with
the fact That Cowles made the suggestion
OF a fist fight. and no sensible man can
look at it any other way. There is no
contingency OF any charge OF talking OF
n duel from my client. Dr. Robnett says
ha didn't threaten DIT. CowIes, and that
Dr. Cowles threatened him. Mrs. Cowles
could hardly have heard all the CONVERSE
ton. DR.. Cowles comes here with an alb
solute knowledge Of the Sullivan Square
incident: yet at the last trial he knew
nothing about It.
Right to Protect Her.
Look at the right OF DIT. Robnett 10
act for Miss HesleT. Each says they are
engaged. so there IS certainly a clear.
iitutAut az tEltlUtlLs 3AiE ACilS DA ellb HIS
no male relative to whom she could ap-
peal for protection, and that she did ap-
peal 10 DIT Robnett. to whom she was
engaged. His use Of terms in his ex-
preston 20 Or. Cowles may have been a
little malapropos, but my only condem-
nation OF DR.. Robnett is that his action
was not virile enough; not quick enough;
not forceful enough; according 10 my
ideas.
DIT Robnett properly resented In
nuendoes, If you please, actions certainly
against the good name OF Miss HesIer No
one Is going 10 condemn q man for 20
tecting the good name OF her 10 whom be
IS engaged. Her fair name should be
an object for extreme solicitude to hlra.
1t sometimes requires only a shrug Of the
shoulders to injure ones fair name. !
maintain DR.. Robnett did right viii say
that man IN this service may be apt
TO underestimate the force OF those terms
that DR.. Robnett used to Dr. Cowles Owe.
the phone. But you know they are soue-
times used as terms OF endearment by
some OF our enlisted men"