Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-01
GOV. BOUrwELL,s ARGUMENT,
Presenting Major Lydecker's Side Of the
Case to the Court. Martial.

A synopsis Of the argument Of Mr.. Swift,
counsel for Major Lydecker, in defense Of
that officer before the courtmartial sitting al
the War department, is published in another
column.
At 1 O'Clock (after recess) the court recon
vened and Gov. Boutwell, began his address.
The suficiency of Mr.. Swift's argument, he
said, was such that there was but little need OF
more from him. He spoke Of the public
sentiment adverse to the administration OF
Major Lydecker, and said that he did not appre-
bend the influence of the court by adverse news
paper criticism. He confidently expected that
upon the conclusion of the trial the public will
be reconciled to the truth that under the circum-
stances the administration Of this work was as
good as could possibly be carried on He cited
Gen. Duane's testimony about Maj or Lydecker's
activity on the occasion Of the discovery of the
fact that the contractors on the New York tun-
mel were the same as those here.
AS TO MAJOR LYDECKER's RESPONSIBILITY.
This plan Of the dam, tunnel, and reservoir
has received the sanction of engineers, both
military and civil. Major Lydecker was re-
sponsible for a reasonable system Of supervi-
sion, but he was not bound to personal su-
perintendence. There is no controversy as to
the selection Of the inspecting agents. Lieut..
townsend had been placed on duty to relieve
Major Lydecker from the performance of those
duties for failure to perform which the &C.
cused is now being tried.
THE INSPECTORS.
The governor detailed the system Of the Sc
lection Of the inspectors and the reports to
Major Lydecker. Can any man say to-day, he
asked that that was not q perfect, an honest
system, which, if honestly carried out, would
have brought to Major Lydecker day by day
true reports of progress? Therefore, does it
not appear that until suspicion, arose it was as
perfect system as could be devised, and, con
slderlng the imperfections of humanity, the
most perfect possible?
THE CHARGES REVIEWED.
The charges, which Gov. Boutwell, said he
would not go over in detail, consisted of three
sorts; first, the injudicious payment of money,
the insufficient personal supervision of the tun-
mel, and the lack of supervision of the inspec-
tors. AS to the payment, the Governor thought
that it was entirely swept out of sight by
the testimony of General Duane. He re-
ferred to the evidence of Lieutenant
Townsend that Maj. Lydecker and he had gone
through the tunnel for two days to examine the
work before the payment was made. If Mai
Lydecker should be convicted of this specifica-
ton the thirteen officers who composed the
court would be in constant peril whenever they
uhuOTtoOh W cAcCutc any OTutI from d bupe-
rior officer. In view of the fact that the con-
tractors have made the offer to repair the work
and that there is 100000 retained the whole
idea of loss to the government is annihilated
GOING INTO THE DIRTY TUNNEL DEGRADATION.
The governor thought that it is degradation
of public Office and duty to consider that Major
Lydecker should go into the tunnel to see
whether the men under his direction were
doing their duty. AS well might an admiral of
fleet descend from the quarterback of his
flagship to the engine room to see that the
stokers were properly firing the furnaces
The public does not appreciate the situation,
he said. Here is tunnel underneath the
ground; dark, smoky, with men working in
narrow recesses with their backs to the inspec-
tors, and yet it is to be expected that Major
Lydecker should know that that man was doing
his duty. The world is ruled by confidence,
and there must of necessity be confidence
between an officer and his subordinates.
The governor thought that the order of 'S2
placing the mayor in charge of the work dis
posed Of the whole case; it was utterly devoid
of instructions and orders relating to personal
inspection and supervision. A discretion was
left to him as to when he should go into the
tunnel. The governor did not think that the
gid article of war touches the case at all.