Hi Cody,
The transistor isn't working or the batteries aren't 4.5V. The schematic shows a longer line for the positive terminal of each battery cell. Each of the two batteries are 3 cells and they could be AA cells.
With nothing connected to the electrodes the meter should try to go backwards between 0.7mA and 3mA depending on the setting of the pot.
With the electrodes shorted together, the meter should read between about 2.5mA (full scale for a 1mA meter) to backwards 3mA, adjusted with the pot and should be able to be zeroed. It should do the same if the capacitor is shorted.