The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-05
PLATT SEES THE PRESIDENT.
Thought His visit In the Interest OF
Capt. Carter.

Washington, Nov. 4-Senator Tom
Plat was an early caller at the White
House this morning. and although it was
cabinet day, an occasion when the Presi-
dent generally denies himself 20 callers,
the junior senator from New York had
no difficulty in obtaining an audience with
the chief executive. He was with the
President nearly half an hour and, as he
: was retiring, he assumed one OF his char
acterlstc smiles and "winked the other
eye" as he remarked to some of his news
paper friends that he simply called 10 pay
his respects"
When Senator Platt is burdened with
Information which he considers prudent
to unload upon an unsuspectng public.
through the medium of the daily newspa-
pers, he is a fruitful source OF news, on
the other hand when he does not deem
it advisable 10 declare his intentions, or
discuss his mission to the White House
or the executive departments, he is a past
master in the art of playfuly sparring
with his interviewers. He was in a play
ful mood to-day when he left the White
House, but beneath his assumed humor
and apparent indifference as to the condi-
ton Of the political fight in New York or
the Presidents final decision IN the case
of Capt. Carter. there was hidden traces
of trouble In his well-known face.
Those who are familiar with him real
lie that he has his hands fun of trouble
just now and they are disposed TO sym
pathlze with him and wish him success
not only with Col Teddy Roosevelt, but
with Capt. Carter and the crippled eank
in Ticonderoga. SO far as Col. Roose-
welt is concerned, Mr.. Platt was liberal
with his predictions that the Rough
Rider" will be the next occupant OF the
Governors mansion at Albany. II would
have been strange and unnatural for mini
to have said the contrary under the cir
cumstances
His mission to the White House this
morning was not in connection with Col.
Roosevelt, but il Is believed that his call
was in the interest of Capt. Carter II Is
now said that the President has decided
TO withhold his decision until he has time
to read over the voiuminous testimony
taken in the case, both before the court
of inquiry and the court martial This
early morning visitation of Senator Platt.
1t Is said that the President finds him
self in a very difficult position in dealing
with the Carter case. on the one hand,
two sets OF army officers have passed upon
Capt. Cartefs case and pronounced him
guilty. On the other hand many Of The
most influential men in this country, In
Guiding railroad presidents, senators and
representatives, bankers and proprletors
of newspapers, and a powerful social ele-
ment, have made appeals In behalf OF the
accused officer. Back OF their appeal for
mercy stands the legal opinion of George
+. Edmunds to the effect that there We're
certain legal Irregularities during the
court martial proceedings which would
justify a mitigation of the sentence Inn
posed or warrant a new trial II IL ad-
mitted that Capt. Carter may have been
guilty Of carelessness in the discharge Of
his official duties, but his friends insist
that the evidence does not prove that he
was in colusion with the contractors, nor
does 1t show he was personally enriched
at the expense of the government. In hes
itaung 20 approve the findings Of the
court martial in full, the President en-
courages the friends of Capt. Carter to
hope that when the final decree Is render
ed 1t Will simply provide for his dismissal
from the service, minus the imprisonment
and the public placarding clauses.