The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-10-01
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 1916

WASHINGTON, Sept. %, 1915.
For some days past there has been quietly sitting
in the chamber of the Navy Department. opposite
the room of Mr.. Bancroft, committee OF naval Off
GERS in examination of the case of Lieutenant John
7. Mclaughlin.
Lieut.. Mclaughlin was purser of the squadron en-
poyed along the coast during the late Florida war; In
cooperation with the land forces, from 1888 to 1872.
Serious charges of corruption, 1t appears, were first
brought against the Lieutenant by MIR. Charles II.
Winder, clerk in the State Department. A dis
cusson followed between these two gentlemen,
through the columns of the Lnteligencer, but grow
ing two strong in personalities, 1t was at length cut
short by the editors AT least, this Is our recoec-
ton of the controversy. Lieutenant Mclaughlin
desired an investigation inN these charges OF cor
rupton urged against him by Mr. Winder, and In
compliance with his wishes and the interests OF the
service resolution passed at the last Congress
authorizing the Board OF Examination III the pre-
mlses now In convention.
The charges against Lieutenant Mclaughlin may
substantially be embodied under one sprciiioatioa.
purser of the Florida squadron, and outrageous
cruelty to the men under his command.
The Court OF Inquiry consists OF Commodore NJ
G. Perry President; Commanders H. w. Ogden,
and c. X. Strbling, Associates Philip Barton,
Esq, Judge Advocate. Lieutenant McLauglin is his
own counsel.
Among the witnesses who have made their ap-
pearance are Lieuenants John Rodgers, @ Il. T.
Rodgers, Thomas L. Sloan Passed Mldshlpmen,
A. b. Harrell, Charles Deas, Wilmer Shields, H.
S: Wise, A; Murray Sergeant J. Pickett; Private
Thomas Callaghan Passed Mldshipman j. G.
Adams; Corporal C. Shields, of the late Florida
squadron; Col. j. w Slmonton, merchant at
Key West; w. H. Wall, member OF the Florida
Senate George l.. Weaver and G. IL. Wlnder oil
the State Department; j. w. McBlair, Hon. Henry
T. Cranston, r. L.; G. p. Andrews, U. ): A.;
Passed Midshipmen Edward Donaldson, Smith M.
Purdy, of NY: w Penn Frailey, Canton, Ohio.
During the slttings of last week. the fourth Audi
tor A. G.. Dayton, and Mr. Etherldge. and Mr.. ii.
Mechlin, two of hie clerks, were examined res
pectng the vouches of the department In this case,
and upon the authenticity OF certain letters connect
ed with these Florida transactions.
To-day Colonel Slmonton was examined. He
testified that the prices paid by Lieutenant Nc
all things consdered-the chmate-the scarcity OF
provlsons-the difficulty of procuring them, &c
He certified to a letter written by him some years
ago, lustifying Lieut. Mclaughlin in his purchases
of provisions, as not having paid nordlnate prices
for them. The examination OF Colonel Slmonton
occupied long time, In consequence OF cross ques-
tons and conversations upon the comparative prices
West
The material witness IN the case, Mr.. q. n
Winder, was then called forward to detail his va
rlous specifications from the records, OF the
wasteful extravaganza by Purser Mclaughlin OF the
public moneys to the account of the Florida squad
ron.
Lieut.. Mclaughlin, however, is sanguine that he
will make 1t all appear before the COMMITTEE as plain
as would have been the starving out OF Gen Games
by the Seminoles had been relieved In season,
Further details tomorrow. General items next
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