Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-08-19
Capt. Ho,cgate,s Emtexsle,nent.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1s.-Capt. Fl. W. How
gate appeared before United States Commits
sioner Bundy to-day, to answer the char ges
preferred. by Gen. Hazen, chief signal officer
of the United States, of the embezzlement of
$40,S00 while acting as disbursing officer of
the signal service. The accused was support
ed by two attendants, and looked pale and en-
feebled from severe Illness. He was represented
by counsel, Judges Wilson and Cuppy. Judge
Wilson stated as the captains health is so ser-
ously impaired, and as he understood from
the governments attorney they are not quite
ready to go on xwith the case, he would
ask the court to waive examination at pres
ent, and fix reasonable bail. He assured the
court mis- client would shortly be ready to
meet the charges.
Mr.. Cook, for the government, stated the
amount charged in the affidavit as having
been embezzled, was over 0O00, but that In
the opinion of the officers of the government
of conducting the examination of the ac-
count, this sum will be considerably iii
creased, certainly to $4,000, and in all
probability to much greater figure, perhaps
as much as $4,000. He acceded to the re-
quest of opposing counsel for adjournment,
but thought that, taking into consideration
| the large amount OF the alleged embezzlement,
and the high position of the officer making
the charge, Gen. Hazen, which was guaran-
fixed at less sum than 1000.
Judge Cuppy claimed that this enormous
bail was a virtual refusal of the privilege, and
as no preliminary examination had been had
to sustain the charges in the slightest
degree, the bail Was excessive. He thought
$4,000 or $4,000 sufficient bond. There
was no doubt entertained among the captains
| counsel and friends of his vindication.
| Judge Wilson followed, referring to the
good standing the accused in the commu-
| nifty, to his bad health, and pointed out that
he had voluntarily returned to the city to
refute the charges The fact that an affidavit
| had been preferred by Gen. Hazen should have
no more significance to this court than
| If sworn to by an inferior officer
of the government, and the statement OF Cook,
| that the alleged embezzlement would exceed
| the amount charged in the affidavit, could not
be legally entertained as a reason for the in
creased bail.
Col. Cook said the government was sub
stantially if not actually ready to proceed, in
| fact would be, at this time tomorrow, ready
| to present evidence.
| Judge Bundy declared it was his intention
| to deaf with this person, Howgate, as if he
we're an ordinary citizen. He read the Sec
tions of the revised statutes applying to the
case, winch provided Hne Oh not less tnan
| SIC, ,OOO nor no more than the amount en-
| bezzled, and Imprisonment from one to ten
years, or both fine and Imprisonment He
| thought bail should be fixed in direc. relation
to the amount charged as having been embez-
zled, and possessing this view of the case, he
would fix the bail at $40, 600.
Judge Wilson said they would try 10 fur
nish the bail and postpone examination of the
case, and for this purpose asked for adjourn
ment until Saturday next. If, however, they
were unable to procure bonds by that day,they
would ask to proceed Immediately with
the case. The government representative
agreeing to this arrangement, the commits
sioner granted the request and the hearing
was adjourned until Saturday, the accused
meanwhile to remain in the custody of the
United States marshal, who, it is understood,
will allow him to remain at his residence I'M
til the conclusion of the hearing.