Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-19
Tears i'm q Court Martial.

PAfAASTES WATSON TELLS HOW EK WAS LED INTO
CRIMs-rHE FIRST LOSSES AT THE GAMING TABLE,
PLAYING TO WIN BACK THE MONEY, BUT LOSING
MoRB-MorsT EYES AMONG THE JUDGES
From the New York Sun
SAN ANTONIO, June 12-The court martial for
the trial OF Major James r. WATSON heard the
accused paymasters statement this morning
Major WaSSon was pale, but stood erect and
spoke with firm voice. He began by saying that
he was charged with the gravest orfense that
could be laid against him as discussing agent OF
the government He acknowledged himself guilty
OF wrong-doings which justify the charges-"of
acts upon which," he said, 81 can only look with
horror" This was his recital Of the beginning OF
his onenses:
Early in last January, for the first time during
my stay in Galveston, joined party of gentle.
men In social game OF cards, having no idea that
1t would prove more serious than such games as
and pastime are the object However, during the
evening the stakes were increased, and, having
enough to remain, hoping that my fortune would
turn. But the play went steadily adverse TO me.
and at the close was a loser to the amount OF
idea that had had unusually bad luck. and was
led to play again. thinking such Ill fortune would
found mss loser to the tine was alto
gether, OF nearly $1,000 larger sum than
! had immediate command OF. / was to
debt unpaid was exceedingly repugnant to me,
and it was here that made my first fatal error. /
WAS W nave ny the emu OF the m0nCn q sum or
money OF my own larger than would suffice for the
payment OF this debt therefore resolved to draw
from my public funds enough to pay these obliga-
lions WITH as felt certain OF being able replace
the amount before it would be required, and de-
!uded myself into thinking that If SO returned no
harm would result. But being perfectly innocent
OF any intention to actually wrong the govern
ment by the use OF the money for a few days,
thinking, moreover, it would be a less evil to do
this than to let this debt OF honor, as deemed It,
stand over, and thus bring me under reproach In
the minds OF the gentlemen with whom had
played, made my first step in wrong-doing. On
my return to Galveston found, to my horror, that
the full sum was expecting to have there was not
forthcoming, and that all my available cash would
not make good the sum withdrawn. The last day
OF the month was at hand, when my accounts must
balance, or my improper use OF the money be dis
then committed my second act of folly by de-
posting with the funds had broug bit back from
my payment all my own available cash, and TAX
tain collections (Which really did not deposit TIL
few days later) gained time to renew my
efforts to make up the remaining deficiency.
Stung by my losses and the predcamert found
myself In, played again, and again lost. So, to
make this part OF the history no longer than ne
g 500. But up to that time, and until 1 had to
start on my next pay trip, was endeavoring all
The while to raise the money personally. To gain
treasurer at New York and deposited 1t to my OIL
cial credit In Galveston but not dropping 1t from
expedients had been driven by my folly.
when he started on his pay trip In March the
sum had grown to s. OOO. The quarterly inSpec-
ton was to take place on his return, and the de-
partment Inspector accompanied him back. Still
the expected money gave him confidence, but 1t
had not come. OF this crisis he said that the in
spector was to go over his accounts next day, and
he reSorted to petty trick, for which he 'utterly
loathed and deSp1sed" himself; but he got
breathing time, and twas led to make again the
hazardous attempt to recoup my losses at cards
Again my fatal luck followed me, so that when
had to start away, near the end OF April, had,
instead OF reducing my shortage, added to 1t till
the amount was nearly $500 My situation was
now desperate. My brain reeled."
BY ruse he made the inspector and his messen-
ger believe he had all hts money in his valiSe,
(though 1t was left behind in his of1ce) and then
started the story that he had been robbed intend
Ing to get S 600 or S. 900 from his bondsmen and
make them believe other friends had raised the
$4,000 he had left In his Office No sooner had he
gone too far to retreat than he saw that exami-
nation OF his accounts would betray the very ir-
regularitieS he sought to hide
The court was visiby affected by the story OF
his first miSStep5. Moisture was In every eye and
one member OF the court OF high rank had recourse
to his handkerchief to check his tears. But there
was strong reaction when he came to explain
the motives that led to the hoax about the rob-
berry. His finely worked up sentences fell fiat and
cold then. 1t was with relief that his conclusion
was heard, wherein he asked the court not to for
get "that that sense OF honor which has been suS>
tanned and cultivated for q lifetime Is not de-
stroyed in single day."
The judge advocate said he would make no for
NAL reply He reminded the court that the restora-
ton of the stolen money was mot solely due to
the efforts Of the accused" The court was cleared
for deliberat1on. The finding will not be made
known until the proceedings have been reviewed.