The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-06-23
PAYMASTER WASSON.

The trial OF Paymaster WATSON
ended some days ago, and a sealed
verdict by the court-martial has been
forwarded to Washington. The ma
ture of the verdict will not be known
for several weeks. 1t is, however,
supposed to he unfavorable to the
self-confessed guilty man. His Ease
10 not an isolated one. Tie causes
which led to his ruin have led other
equally as good men to the same fate.
He became infatuated with gamb-
ling. He lost money belonging to
the Government. The sum was small
at first. In hopes of regaining it he
plunged deeper in the game and
finally overdrew his account by over
100000. He lost it all. To hide his
shame he invented the story he was
robbed of the whole amount. A few
inquiries upon the part of officers
proved the story untrue. Confronted
with the evidence against him assen
confessed and made a clean breast of
the whole matter. AT his trial the
defense set up that the defalcation was
the result of an unprecedented act,
and that the prisoner intended to
make good the loss to the Govern
ment, and that he had finally done
SO. Many gentlemen occupying
prominent civil and military posi-
tions testified as to his former high
character and unimpeachable record
as an officer and a gentleman. In
fact it seems he has the sympathy of
not only all his old time friends but
that of many who never heard of
WATSON until he had committed the
crime for which he was tried.
But a court-martial is not a star
route jury. Upon the findings of a
court-martial rest, in a great measure,
the reputation of the army for integ-
rity of character. The members,
like other men, may have their SYM
pathies aroused, and while they may
recommend the prisoner for mercy.
there is no shutting Of eyes to guilt
and whitewashing of characters.
They may pity, but not pardon; be
merciful, but just. A jury of civilians
would probably have partially if not
wholly condoned Wassen's offence,
and turned him loose with the mild
injunction to reform his habits. A
Washington star route jury would
have acquitted him and afterwards
joined in a serenade in his honor.
But fortunately for the morale Of the
army and the reputation of the mill
tary service, Major WATSON was
tried by men above sordid in
fiuences and in whose hearts
no room is found for maudlin SYM
pathy. 1t is true Major WATSON has
borne a good character; that he has
been regarded as a high-minded,
honorable man; that he is sensitive,
spirited and chivalrous, and that this
is his first offense. But it is equally
true that he has had advantages de-
MED to many; that he has been sur-
rounded by cultured, refined society;
that he occupied a position Of honor
and trust through the confidence re-
posed in him by the government,
and yet in IN plunge he reached a
point in crime which many hardened
natures gain only by gradual ap-
proaches. It is time such exhibit
tons of official delinquency is
checked and if the findings of the
court-martial are in accordance with
the evidence in the case and are sus-
tanned, the verdict will exercise an
influence in the army that will lead
to a needed reformation in the habits
of some of its officers.