The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-26
STERLY GOES ON THE STAND.
TELLS OF a TRIP TO NEW YORK
WITH CAPT. CARTER.


the Approval of the Specifications.
Letters From Contractors and
Capt. Carriers Replies Introduced
by the Prosecution With a View to
supporting the Alleged COnspir-
acy.
Chief Clerk ]. w. o. sterly of the United
States engineers office held the attention
of the Carter court martial yesterday, dur
ing portion of his testimony, at least.
The interest in the testimony, however.
did not hold out. because the main part
of it related to letters from contractors
with regard to the specifications for work
and Capt Carriers replies:
Mr.. Sterly gave some testimony with
regard to his trip to New York with Capt.
Carter in August, 1895, and the transac.
tons connected with it, after which there
began a reading of the letters and re-
plies referred TO. The purpose of the
prosecution in introducing these letters
and replies is to show that the accused
in one way and another contrived to shut
out other bidders than the Atlantic Con-
tracing Company.
The first point brought out bearing upon
that line is the fact that the advertise
ment calling for bids for the work on Cum
berland sound and on the Savannah har-
Dor was published on Aug. 16 and that the
bids were opened on Sept. s following.
The prosecution desires to show by this
that contractors who might have bid did
not have sufficient time in which to pre-
pare their proposals.
To some of the contractors who sent
for the copies of specifications after the
publication of the advertisement, only one
copy was sent. while to others was sent
a full set. or three copies. Each bidder
Is required to send in three copies of his
bid, therefore, the necessity for three
copies of the specifications to accompany
them.
This evidence is brought out, no doubt,
liz support of the alleged charge of con-
spiracy, specifications under that charge
stating that the advertisements were So
published, and that the manner of giving
information was such as to favor the At
lantic Contracting Company. The evil
dence so far adduced, however, shows that
the largest number of contractors re-
among them being included the majority
of the local contractors who contemplated
bidding.
The crowd that gathered in the court
room was evidently somewhat disappoint-
ed in the testimony. From what has been
said 1t was expected that Mr.. Sterly's
testimony would be of far more interest
tran was the case The testimony given,
however, was considered of Importance
as bearing upon the case, and that was
put In first. The direct examination of
the witness is not yet near concluded. and
he will probably be on the stand for two
or three days. There is time yet there
fore FOR the interesting portion of his tes-
tlmony 10 be brought forth if there is
such testimony. 1t is expected that this
VIII come from the note book in which
he Is said to have kept an account of
Capt Carriers action.
Mr. Sterly said he had been chief clerk
in the United States engineers office since
Capt. Carter became disburslng officer
about May l, 1883. He was first question
ed as to the passage of the river and har-
Dor act OF June 3, 1896, which act was put
IN evidence for reference This is the bill
that was passed over the veto of the Pres
ldent. Col. Barr read the paragraphs re-
latlng 10 the improvements of the Savan-
nah river and, Cumberland sound
BY the witness chair was placed a nile
OF letter books and records, about a foot
and half or two feet thick He was he
said, the custodian of the records i'm The
engineer office. The first paper referred
TO was on the subject of advertising for
bids for the work here, and a
request for authority to prjnt 3Oo
copies Of the specifications 1t
was identified by the witness and read
by Col Barr. 1t was a request upon the
chlef of engineers for permission to pub
fish the advertisement inviting PROPOSALS
for improving Savannah harbor in certain
newspapers. There was an Endorsement
on the back of the paper by Col Peter c.
Hams, calling attention to the fact thar
some paragraphs in the specifications were
not clear, and the paper was returned bv
the chief OF engineers to Cant Carte.
who Endorsed an explanation of the snaci
Hcauons, all of which Endorsements were
read by Col. Barr
Mr.. Sterly then identified the snacifca-
tons for improving Savannahs harbor ana
the advertisement inviting proposals for
the work 80
What was the date of the advertise
ment?" was asked
June 6, 1885," was the reply.
what was the date given when bids
"~glu De opened was the next question.
Sept. s, 1885," was the answer
There was telegram on file. the witness
sand dated Aug. Is, notifying Mr.. Com
molly to advertise. The kilograms were nro-
duced. Col. Barr read a telegram deted
Aug. 10, from Capt. Carter. from Wesb-
ington, to VI. a. Connolly. telling him 70
advertise at once fer proposals for tho
work at Cumberland sound, Savannah bar-
Dor, and inside route to Beaufort. Another
telegram told Mr. Connolly to date All ID
vertsements June 6, but that all the bids
would be opened Sept. s, 1896 This teIe-
gram was also signed by Capt. Carter
Il was in. New York on Aug TX, tho
witness said, ''and saw Capt. Carter He
said he was going to Washington TO have
the specifications approved, and thar thev
would be sent to me to have them nrinteJ
received them on Aug. II. was then in
Patchogue, L. l. l saw Capt. Carter about
that time. "'0Ne
Mr.. Sterly said he arrived in Nav Vol,
win Capt. Carter by steamer on Aua 4
tie had instructions from him to onen HE
mail at the University Club. He aieo bad
instructions to have the specifications
printed as soon as approved. ana as soon
as the project was approved he was 10 no.
nIy capt. h. ID. Green at Stamford Conn
Who is B. ID. Green's" was asked
Formerly an engineer officer but NOW,
contractor" was the reply.
DO you know whether he is a rnopob,,.
OF the Atlantic Contracting Companv9,,
was asked.
No, sir, l do not" he replied
t~,r1 AtG