The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-10-01
CAPT. eooDwIS WAS Drunk.
Comment BY Gen. Otis On the Court
msrtisrs verdict of Aeaaittal.


Gen. Otis, commanding the department
OF the Columbia. reviewing the verdict o.
acquittai in the case OF Captain Good win.
says:
After q careful examination Of the pro-
ceedings in the foregoing case OF Captain
William II. Good win, Fourteenth infantry,
the findings OF the court under the drst
and third specifications. and consequently
under the charge. are disapproved.
The evidence presented by the prosscu-
ton appears TO establish beyond q reason
able doubt the truth OF the allegations of
guilt charged rs committed on the 2ist
and oath days of July. The two lieuten-
ants of Capt. Goodsin's command at the
time, officers of high standing. of long
association with, and most reluctant W it
nesses against him. rs the proceedings
indicate, testified positively 10 the intox-
ication of tue accused as set ont ia the
FIRST specification, and this direct evidence
remains mistaken by the sworn state
ments, whether of a circnmstantiai char
ac.er or otherwise. with which the acc used
sought to combat il.
''rhe alleged intoxication of July "a
appears 10 be clearly established by the
testimony of all of Capt. Goodwin's offi-
cers-each corroborsting the evidence of
the others IN all essential particulars.
The brief answers of two of those officers
to questions, asked In direct and cross
examination, regarding circumsta noes and
statements made 10 them by the accused
a. an early Period Of the day before any
known proofs of intoxication existed, and
which he sought 10 meet by his own tes-
tirnony in specific denial. show the theory
OF the defense on this particular sDecih-
cation to be untenable. To meet tue evil
dence OF intoxication the defense endeav-
ored by The testimony of witnesses to es-
tabiish the fact of sobriety immediately
preceding the time when that evidence
likes It, but In this il signally failed. for IL
omitted 10 cover n period of about one
half hour Immediately prior thereto, dur
ing which the accused. In his own yolum-
lnous testimony, was apparently unable
20 account for bis absea CO from his COM
mand Granting that intoxication was
not apparent to the witnesses examined on
this point. accepting their testimony as
strictly reliable. it in no wise weakens
the evidence elected by the prosecution.
lit is a singular fact that OF the six COM
fnissioned officers present at Spokane at
this date, only three were sabpGnaed TO
testify before the court The prosecution
secured three, and evidently and with rea-
son rested in the belief that they were suf-
feient 10 establish its case. The deposit
ton OF another WAS sought and obtained
upon the application Of the accused, who
declined TO present IL when received-hIs
counsel eoniessing that IL Was taken 1T his
instance and request, based upon letter
10 which the deposition did not conform.
lie was submitted, however. on the request
of the Judge advocate. and contained
statement that the accused was not IN
condition to fully perform all his duties.
The remainder OF Gen. Otis review
hauls Capt. Goodwin over the Goals for
his testimony.