The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-10-01
WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 1915

WASHINGTON, sept -, lo4o.
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
T. 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 Mr. Charles H.
Winder, clerk in the State Department dis
cussion followed between these two gentlemen,
through the columns of the Mteligencer, but grow
ing two strong in personalities, it was at length cut
short by the editors. AT least this is our recollec-
ton of the controversy. Lieutenant Mclaughlin
desired an investigation inc these charges Of cor
ruption 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 In the pre-
misses, now IN convention. 80
The charges against Lieutenant Mclaughlin may
substantially be embodied under one specialization.
protligate extravaganza OF the pubic moneys as
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 II. W. Ogden,
and c. X Stribing, Associates Philip Barton,
Esq, Judge Advocate. Lieutenant McLauglln Is MS
own counsel.
Among the witnesses VINO nave mdde tneII dP-
pearance are Lieutenants John Rodgers g: r. P.
Rodgers, Thomas I. Sloan; Passed Mldshlpmen,
A. D. Harrell, Charles Deas, Wilmer Shields, H.
S; Wise, A Murray; Sergeant j; Pickett; Private
Adams; Corporal C. Shields, of the late Florida
squadron; Col ]. w. Simonton, merchant at
Key West; w. II. Wall, member OF the Florida
Senate George L. Weaver and G. H. Winder OF
the State Department j. w. McBlair, Hon. Henry
T. Cranston, r. l.; G. p: Andrews, Y. s. A.;
Passed Midshipmen Edward Donaldson, Smith M
Purdy, of NY; w. Penn Frailey, Canton, Ohio.
During the sittings of last week, the fourth Audi
tor A. c. Dayton, and Mr.. Etheridge. and Mr.. II.
Mechlin, two of hR clerks, were examined res
pectng the vouchdh 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
Laughlin for provisions, NC, were not extravaganza
all things consldered-the chmate-the scarcity OF
provisons-the difficulty of procuring them, &c
He certified to letter written by him some years
ago, justifying Lieut. Mclaughlin in his purchases
Of provisions, as not having paid lnordnate prices
for them. The examination OF Colonel Slmonton
occupied long time, consequence OF cross ques-
tons and conversations upon the comparative prices
of provisions at New York, Indian Key and Key
West.
The material witness IN the case, Mr.. Z. RI
Wnder, was then called forward to detail his va
rious specifications as 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 sangulne that he
as would have been the starving out OF Gen. Games
by the Semnoles had not been relieved In season,
Further details tomorrow. General items next
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