Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-25
PAYMAsTER COwIE EXAMINED.
Some Interesting Testimony Before the
Naval Court OF Inquiry.

Some Interesting Testimony Before the
Naval Court OF Inquiry.
ASSISTANT ENGINEER BIEG's LITTLE BoMBsHELL-
HE WAS TREASURER OF THE NAVAL oRGASIzA-
rIoN-wooDBuRY BLAIR WAS copSsEL-MR.
cowIE TELLS OF THE COLLECTIONS.
At the session of the naval organization
| court OF inquiry this morning Paymsster
Thompson, Civil Engineer Maxson and Chief
Constructor Wilson testified that they had no
knowledge whatever of any organizations
among officers
| Assistant Engineer Bieg let fall somewhat of
| a bombshell when he told his story. He said
that the officers of the engineer corps had agreed
place their interest in the line of legislative
amelioration in the hands of a self-appointed
committee representing all grades of that
| corps, OF which the witness is a member. They
have raised about S2,5OO from the corps for
the purpose of defraying legitimate expenses.
Mr. WOODBURY. BLAIR EMPLOYED As COUNSEL
When asked if any counsel had been en-
ployed he said that Mr.. Woodbury. Blair had
been retained for the purpose of giving his ad
vice in regard to any measure affecting the
status Of the engineer corps that might be in
troduced in Congress-.
| to divulge the name of the attorney, where
upon Mr.. Loring exclaimed:
You are making a very foolish objection"
MY hesitation is not personal but did not
know whether or not the attorney would like
me to mention his name"
''wel, if he is ashamed Of his employment
he had better resign" retorted Mr.. Loring,
| whereupon the witness weakened and gave the
name. This passage-at-arms was not put upon
the record.
ID Al
urer of the committee.
PAyMAsTER cowIE on TIE STAND.
Passed Assistant Paymaster Thomas Cowie
the author of the famous bill and of the letter
to the naval officers, was called. He did not
know of any formal organization among naval
officers nor of any formulated movements
| among naval officers to endeavor to secure the
| passage of any particular bill
"Do you know of any instances when money
or contracts to pay money have been solicited
from officers for the purpose of influencing leg
| lation?'
Il do not
THE question" explained the Judge advo-
cate. does not mean influencing legislation
| improperly"
That's different" responded the witness.
There was bill proposed by me and circu-
lars relative to the whole matter have been
sent to the Secretary of the Navy"
You are not on trial, Mr.. Cowie, you
know" suggested Mr.. Loring, to relieve a
slight embarrassment on the part of the wit
ness.
There was also letter to the secretary from
me dated December 23." continued the witness.
''in which 1 explained the whole matter of the
circulars, added the paymaster, and this letter
was read. Qt has already been widely pub
lshed When the court repeated the question
about the soliciting OF money, the witness said
that the Hon. J. r. Thomas had solicited fees
to aid in the passage of his (Cowie's) bill.
PLEASE state the circumstances connected
with that matter"
sis it necessary to use names9" asked the
witness.
at may be-"
Il myself placed the matter in the hands
Mr.. Thomas, believing that it would be to the
interests of the officers of the navy as a whole"
Were you personally interested in any per-
centages? asked Mr.. Loring.
''No, sir"
"State definitely your arrangements with
Mr. Thomas" said the judge advocate.
"He was to take charge of the bill to see to
all printing and TO appear before congressional
committees for the passage OF my bill / agreed
to his proposition for q retaining fee Of IS each
and also for percentage Of increased pay as
reasonable terms"
WHERE THE CHECKS CAME FROM
"Do you know Of any responses received by
Mr. Thomas?"
II do"
"How many such?"
81 myself received check from the pay
maste. of the Galena for 800. representing
twenty officers attached to that vessel: also
from the paymaster of the Monogahela a
check for $50, representing the six
oihcers on that vessel Both checks were in
dorsed by me and turned over to Mr. Thomas
l know OF no other instances For tine last draft
Mr.. Thomas sent me receipts made out in the
officers names, and / think that the last re-
ceipt was numbered 100"
his offer?"
Il have not"
WHO SIGNED THE coNrRAcT2
'Do you know of any officers who have
signed the Thomas contract?"
'None but those cases have mentioned"
What corps Of the navy are represented in
those fees?"
The line, medical, pay and engineers;
won't be positive about the engineers"
To MIR. Loring the witness said that so far as
he understands Mr.. Thomas is to realize the
entire proceeds OF his circular letter to officers
To Mr.. LOCKER he said that he was alone in his
initiation of the movement.
Were there many officers % high rank
who corresponded with you in regard to the
matter?" asked Mr.. LOCKER, referring to the
Cowie circular.
MANY officers of high rank have signed in
favor of the bill. will bring out names of
course, the court wish, but I would prefer
not to do so."
The court was not at all anxious for the in
formation but Mr.. LOCKER wanted to know to
what specific corps these ''oficers of high rank'
belonged, and Mr.. Cowie responded The
line!"
At 1925 Mr.. Cowie was excused and the court
took q recess.
THEY SAY HE Is A MOssBACK.