The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-17
CLOUDS OVER CARTER.
Finding Of Court Reported
Against Him.
CRICCS TO REVIEW CASE.
Won't Go Before Judge Advocate
Of the Army.
REFERENCE AN INNOVATION
Friends Of the Captain Succeed In
Securing II.

Washington, May 16.-capt. carters
case is to be reviewed by Attorney Gem
eral Griggs.
The findings of the court martial which
tried this now famous case at Savannah
and New York have been IN the war de-
partment for nearly two weeks.
The rush OF business In connection with
the preparations attending the sending OF
an invading army into Cuba caused the
circumstances surrounding the final pro-
ceedings in the case to be quite forgotten
by all except those directly interested.
To-day the fact leaked out, notwith-
standing the thick cloak of secrecy which
has been thrown around the findings of
the court martial since they were deliv-
cred to the judge advocate general OF
the army a fortnight ago. that the decls-
ion of the court went against the gallant
young engineer officer, who Is accused of
squandering the governments money to
the extent of hundreds of thousands OF
dollars.
Under ordinary circumstances and con-
dltions the findings of the court martial
should be reviewed by the judge advocate
general.
In view of the magnitude of the charges
against Capt. Carter. and the widespread
interest this remarkable case has aroused,
a new precedent is 10 be established i'm
connection with the final review of the
findings of the court that tried him.
There is a powerful social and political
ia ak orIy II, ~f
ter, and 1t is believed that these two fac
tors entered largely into the movement 20
have the case reviewed by Attorney Gem
eral Griggs instead Of permitting 1t TO pass
through the regular military channels aC
the judge advocate generals office.
IL appears that Capt. Carter's friends
went TO the President after the findings OF
the court martial reached Washington
and made a very strong appeal to him 10
have the case reviewed by the civil IN
stead OF the military officials of the gov
ernment. 1t was said that from The very
beginning Of The case a prejudice against
Capt. Carter has existed in the Office OF
the judge advocate general. II was also
claimed that under the circumstances It
would be almost impossible for equal JUS
tice to be shown Capt. Carter
There WIS no intimaton 10 the President
that the findings OF the court should be
set aside or reversed In Difference to tho
infiuepce he has at his back. The ons
proposition urged upon The President was
that only Justice should be shown the
young officer, who Is staggering under the
heavy weight Of recent developments
IL was urged by Capt Carter's friends
that IL he Is guilty OF the charges made
against him, he should suffer the penalty
suggested by the court martial; II, on the
Ofbar hand 4 bp ohD haf
suit was reached through blind prejudice
the accused ought 10 have a further
chance 20 establish his innocence.
il was finally suggested that, in view Of
the high eminent legal ability and the
high standard OF honor and patriotism OF
Attorney General Griggs. that he be se-
lected to review the findings OF the court
before they are sent to the President
This proposition was made with the as
surance that a full and fair review of the
case by the Attorney General, even If IL
be outside of the usual practice In such
cases, would be IN the interest OF justice.
and II would be acceptable to Capt. Carter
and his friends.
with a desire to do but simple Justice to
young officer who has heretofore borne
a reputation for honor, integrity, skill and
superior engineering ability, the President
consented to refer the case 10 Attorney
General Griggs for final review.
The action Of the president In taking the
case away from the military department
and submitting II to the civil branch OF
the government Is not generally known,
and there is sure to be some severe criti-
cism upon this rather. unusual procedure
in dealing with the findings Of a military
court martial.
rhe excitement attending the war pre-
parations have overshadowed the Carter
case, but this new departure In dealing
with It may bring 1t conspicuously TO the
front again.