The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-31

CARTER CASE AND VAN WICK.
How the Democratic Vote Was AZ
fected in New York.
From the New York Herald.

From the New York Herald.
While the findings of the court martial
of Capt Oberlln NJ Carter are hung up
in Washington because of political, social
financial and railroad influences, members
of the New York state Democratic organi-
cation are seeking to establish a connec-
ton between the efforts TO save Carter
and the vote of Onondaga and Madison
counties.
The Herald recently printed a letter
from State Chairman frank Campbell
asking prominent Democrats to give their
views as to what was responsible for the
defeat of Van Wyck. The Democratic
state committee is likely at a later day to
throw some light on the Carter case in
state politics.
Capt. Carter was the United States
engineering officer in charge of the i'm
provement of the Savannah river. Two
boards of officers made an investigation
of the work, and reported that under
Capt. Carter the plans and specifications
under which the contract had been let had
been changed so that government money
running up into the millions had been di-
verted and paid to persons not entitled to
receive it,
This caused the greatest scandal the
army had known in many years. Great
influences started to work to prevent a
court martial, but the court martial was
held, and its proceedings are familiar 10
readers of the Herald. The Atlantic Con-
tracing Company was the concern that
chiefly proffted. Col. John F. GaynOr of
Onondaga county was one of the heads OF
that corporation and the active man in it.
Associated with him were other prominent
and wealthy men. Col Gaynor had been
a Hill Democrat, and was and still is the
member of the Democratic state commit
tee for the Thirty-sixth Senate district.
1t was announced that as soon as the
findings in the Carter case were promul-
gated civil suits would be started against
the persons who pro1ted BY the misap-
nropriation of government money for the
recovery of $1600,000
The verdict reached the Secretary of
War about June. But for influence the
finding would have been promulgated in a
short time Influence however, pulled a
thousand wires. Prominent railroad men
and politicians North and South began 10
work for Garter. Senator Thomas c.
Plat. Chauncey NJ Depew, Frank Thorn
son. president of the Pennsylvania Rail
road. Senator W. J. Sewell of New Jersey,
and MANY others eXerted themselves.
critical stage was reached just before
the last election Senator Plat made
some visits to Washington SO did Col.
Gavuor. Senator Tlatt saw the President
The papers in the Carter case were shul-
fed about from Secretary Alger 90 the
President. and from the President to the
department of justice. All the time pres
sure was brought to get Carter off. Eff
forts were made to get the PRESIDENT 10
act before the election.
Other things were happening in Onon-
dago county. the home of Col. Gaynor. In
this county, and the adjoining county OF
Madison. constituting the Twenty-seVenth
congressional district, a combination pc
tween the Democratic party, led by COL
caynor and a branch of the Republican
party. led by James j. Belden' had LOT
several wears caused the Platt machine
much trouble. Mr. Belden ran as an IN
danendent Republican and Democratic
oopdidate for Congress in 1885, and was
elected. .., .,,;-
,,oor agein. The Belden Republicans bolt
cd the regular convention when Driscoli
was nominated Mr.. Belden was nominal
ed as an Independent and was to be IN
doreed nv the Democrats when he sud
denly withdrew -. .4.
como confusion, but Mayor Mcclure OF
Syracuse declared the Republicans would
bote on,v $500 majority in Onondaga
no,,,1+,, and Col. Gaynor said the Demo
Gratis would elect the senator there. When
he votes were counted Onondaga county
was the only county in the state contain
ing a city that did not show a Dig Demo
cratic gain. 1t gave Roosevelt about SOW
plurality. a - 49,.
heaval that occurred:
Reldnn's Rep. Rep.