The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1883-06-18
THE WATSON TRIAL.

The trial Of Paymaster WATSON has con-
cluded, and the verdict rendered. What that
verdict is will remain a secret for some time,
but there can be little doubt that it will be I'M
favorable to the accused. OF his guilt there
can be no question because he confessed his
crime, and although his friends have made
good his deficiency that does not in any way
exhonorate him. The court martial who tried
his case was composed Of experienced and
honorable officers, many Of whom had been
associated with him daily, and to whom the
duty OF hearing was most painful one. The
charges against Major WATSON were of the
NEST serious character. Not only has he con-
fessedly appropriated public moneys to his
own use, and practiced the ordinary deception
consequent upon his crime, but he went still
further and invented fictitious robbery in a
manner worthy Of the Infamous Joe Mulhat-
ton, hoping by this means to gain money by
which to cover his shortage in his military ac-
counts as Paymaster, and to defray his private
liabilities, that are understood to ne extensive.
The fictitious robbery story was all the
more serious because it might have
involved innocent persons, but for the
failure of his plans. He had very fair
and patient hearing before his peers. 1t was
not necessary for she prosecution to call any
witness, except Major Russell, to prove the
accused's shortage, because his confession and
circumstantial evidence alike condemned him.
On behalf of the accused several witnesses
were called who gave him high character for
conduct in social and military life. This was
satisfactory in a measure, but it was sad to
note that honorable youth and manhood
should develop into dishonor at the prime of
life, Just when he should have reaped the re-
ward for honorable service. If we are to be-
leye the accused, and it is only fair to give
him the benefit Of the doubt, his career of
pundering and laundering dates only from
January in the present year, and is due TO
gambling. If this be true it is an awful hon.
lily on gambling 1t shows its victim dis
honored and abased. Not an in
experienced youth, but a man who had
the education of a gentleman, the mature judg-
ment Of an officer and business experience
that qualified him for the position he held. It
him a soldier, for a man who has
openly proved himself 10 possess neither the
honor of an officer, nor of gentleman, could
not hold a commission in the United States
army, it degrades his family, for in guilt Of
this kind the innocent suffer with the guilty,
and it cuts short what might have been
a brilliant career. All this is the direct result
oi gambling.
Whatever may be the judgment the court
has rendered, one thing is quite clear, such
cases should be made an example for the
benefit of the service TO show that no officer |
can play the thief With IMMUNITY. If an ig-
norant enlisted soldier had stolen Government
or embezzled few dollars, he would |
have been sent to the penitentiary without com.
junction. The sentence may be deserv d |
in such cases, but how eau they be consist
emily imposed if such culprits as WATSON, ed |
ucated and knowing the penalties of their |
crime, ARE allowed TO escape even with dismiss !
sal from the service. We regret to see such !
instances of fallen virtue as Major WATSON
presents, but he is not the first nor will he I'M
be the last, who fall under such
We desire no indicative perse-
cuion, but we do hope to see the law fairly
and impartially administered to Major WATSON
as it would be to Private Smith or Jones, if
Of a similar crime. 1t is only by
such measure of justice that the law and mill
tary discipline can be fairly and consistently
No nav raceec ,uithouta na,,, straol, l., 49,.