Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-07-14
FERVENT PLEAS FOR
ACQuTTAL OF M|DD|ES
FOrceful Arguments by Attorneys
Before Naval Court Of Inquiry.
DOPE" is DEAD SAYS MOSS.
Local Lawyer Also Asserts Other Re.
forms VIII Follow Probe---Carlin
Further Flags FuIlam.

/ UNFOLDING the honor OF the Navy
and declaring there is nothing in the
evidence TO show that any reflections
had been cast upon it. Attorney n p.
Bushnell addressed the naval court of
inquiry this morning in connection
with the "cribbing'' scandal.
Mr.. Bushnell comes from Peekskill,
N. Y. the home town of Ralph Nick.
Nelson, member of the class recently
graduated from the Naval Academy,
who is one of the original seven de-
| fendanas recommended for dismissal
by Admiral William +. Fullam. super
| intendent of the Naval Academy.
While specifically representing Mel
son, Mr.. Bushnell spoke in defense of
the seven midshipmen collectively. He
rehearsed the circumstances of the
| case in the most minute detail the sus-
picion that there was larceny of the
examination papers because OF indica-
tions that doors of the rooms of the
Department of Modern Languages. to-
gether with desks, had been tampered
with, and said that there is not the
| slightest semblace of evidence in the
record in support of such a charge.and
he declared it would be cruel inuendo
to connect either of the defendants
with charge of theft
| Mr.Bushnell referred somewhat feel
ingly to the position of Midshipman
Reagle, whose testimony stamped him
a perjurer. This, he said, he did not
care to discuss, although some of Rea-
gles statements connectedNelson with
certain illegal ramifications about the
| academic buildings, but. he said, Rea-
gles repeated contradictions is the
best reputation OF the weight of such
| evidence. Such testimony, he declar-
ed, is negligible and should be entire
ly ignored by the court.
As to the charge of theft lodged
| against the seven defendants, Mr.. Bush
mel declared that the evidence shows
absolutely no motive for the commits
sion of such crime, and the absence
| of such motive is the best evidence of
the innocence Of the accused Concern
ing the general character of the pa
pers circulated in advance, MIR. Bush
nell said there was nothing to indicate
TO the midshipmen what they had in
| their possession. He lauded Nelson
| because of his honest and frank ad-
| missions concerning the advice and
| help he gave a number of fourth class
men on the night preceding their ex-
emination and on various other oc-
| casions
Il am not here to applaud the prac-
| tice of Raging Marks nor the pos
session of turbine sheets, which are
among the things charged againstNel-
here. Mr.. Bushnell said Il woule
said these practices have grown up
| with the system here at the Academy
Nelson did not bring them here" he
| said. he learned them after he arrived
here" Mr.. Bushnell siad il would
have been far better for Nelson never
to have looked at the turbine sheets.
but he added it was done to help a
classmate. who was down and out in
this branch of work, and he offered TO
| aid him in securing the required mark
In no wise wasNelson actuated by any
moral turpitude Mr.. Bushnell declared
Mr.. Bushnell closed his address
with a glowing tribute OF Nelson S
scholastic career, and general ability
to become competent commissioned
officer of the American Navy
/ Congressman Hay, of counsel for the
defense, followed Mr. Bushnell Be
ginning with the remark that the
ground had already been so we'll COW
cred, Mr.. Hay stated that he was re-
liably informed of the fact that the
Secretary of the Navy is to be guided
entirely by the record of the court. in
passing upon the case, and i'm view of
that fact he felt incumbent to empha-
size few points.
Mr.. Hay and Mr.. Robert Moss. OF
this city. who spoke Immediately al
ter him. made earnest pleas for the
acquittal of the defendants Both
dwelt very strongly upon the distinct
ion drawn as to the degree of guilt.
in view OF the fact that the same in-
formation that the white sheets con-
tanned was widely disseminated among
the several classes.
Mr. Hay laid emphasis upon the
honor and integrity of Midsh;pran
Moss and the other defendants. which
he said. is Of the highest. as he has
had ample opportunity for observa-
tion in view of being in daily contaci
with them. IF Moss had a guilt,
knowledge of the character of the pa
pers that came TO him through the
mail" he said. he would have copied
the contents and Suppressed the papers
instead of leaving them lying abou,
promiscuously." To his mind. he said
It seemed that young Moss had beer
bounded in the whole affair I'VE are
not asking for the mercy of the court
but are here simply for justice" Mr.
Hay said among other things.
Attorney Moss did not make such an
extensive address as the other counsel
who have preceded him. However, he
summed up in a general way all of the
circumstances in presenting the claim
Of innocence of the accused.
1T is safe to assume said Mr.