Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-08

Perry, affair the witness testified that Perry had
been in the service twenty years and that his
record was not Of the first order.
THE cRANE-NICHoLs AFFAIR.
Prof. Harrington next told Of his connection
with the Crane-Nchols affair. He had known
nothing of Nichols before his appointment,
which had been made BY Secretary Rusk with
out any consultation with him. Shortly after
he had heard that it was necessary for Nichols
to take the Kelley cure and had given him leave
fo- that purpose. Afterward he had gathered
In general way that the young man was not
doing very well, although he had heard no spe-
ciic complaints in regard to the matter. Some
time later Observer Davis, in charge at Nor
folk, had come to him in such an excited state
OF mind and with such exaggerated accounts of
Nichols that he had discounted the stories;
however. he had thought that there was enough
wrong at Norfolk to warrant the sending an
inspector to that point. and accordingly In
spector Townshend had been instructed to
make the trip. He had not consulted Nc
Laughlln on this step because there was no ne
cessIty to do so. Mclaughlin was his adviser,
not his dictator. He consulted him when he
needed his advice, and in this case he had no
use for advice.
From Townshend's report he had gathered
the idea that Davis sick, and that while
Nichols was not an especially good observer he
was not a very bad one; that Davis had with
was all right. The matter had then been dis
missed from his mind, and he had gone on his
trip, and during his absence Davis had been
transferred and Crane sent to Norfolk. He
had understood generally that this had been
done for the good of the service He never
knew Maj. lockwood had any especial interest
In Nichols; knew ex-Secretary Rusk WAS in
terested in the family. bat Gen. Rusk had told
him to always treat Nichols any other man.
Prof Harrington told Of the conversation he
had with Crane in March. and from this CONVEX
sation he had gathered that Nichols was not
give Nichols a strong talk and report him if he
did not improve.
CRANES APPLICATIONS FOR PROMOTION
Speaking Of Cranes applications for promo
ton. Prof. Harrington said that they came with
splendid recommendations and that be himself
had gained high idea of Cranes energy and
ability and considered him just the man for the
place. He had dictated the letter of recon-
mendation to Maj. lockwood. as he had many
others on matters upon which they had con-
suited The promotion had been made by the
Secretary and the commissions made out. whic b
Mclaughlin, as executive officer, had refused
to forward. and had written, while witness was
on a sick bed, the letter charging corrupt prac-
tees against himself He had then dictated
the letter to the Secretary requesting the dis
missal of Mclaughlin, not on the ground that
he had charged corruption against him. but for
characterization. in refusing to forward COM
missions signed by the Secretary of Agriculture
and regular in every particular.
This ended Prof. Harringtons direct testi-
mony for the day. Mr.. Perry remarked that
he desired to call three or four well-known
scientific gentlemen to testify to Prof Harrng-
tons scientific reputation, but Gen. Colby
thought as nothing detrimental to the pro-
fessors scientific efficiency had been produced
IL would not be necessary to go into that. This
view was satisfactory to Mr.. Perry. who said he
could then finish his case on Monday, and an
adjournment was taken until o'clock today.