The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-14
TWO WITNESSES HEARD FROM.
CAPT. CARRIERS CHECKS AND CON-
TRACTS IDENTIFIED.


Jordan Here From New York.
Brought Capt. Carriers Checks
with Him-Sacred Government
Papers Copied of which Must BE
Used When They Are Wanted in
Evidence-COntracts and PrOpo-
sails Identifted-The COurt COnsid-
cred Fine One.
Developments in the court martial Of
Capt. o. NJ Carter were scarce yester-
day. The proceedings consisted simply in
the Identification of all the government
checks Capt Carter has Issued since 1892
In payment for government work, ana
of the contracts and proposals since that
date.
None of the government witnesses who
are to testify about the manner in which
the contracts were carried out were
reached, but it is more than probable that
some of them will be put on the stand to-
day, since most of the papers necessary
have been identified. None of the papers
mentioned have as yet been put in evil
dence, but they are now practically ready
for that. should they be desired.
Before the assembling of the court the
crowd in the court room between the
iron railing and the wall was not near so
great as was the case the day before.
This was due to a system of tickets which
had been adopted in order to stop the
crowding and jamming that resulted from
the promiscuous packing in OF everybody
who came One of the Fort Mcpherson
corporals stood al the court room door
to collect the tickets, which were dis
tributed in the hall according to direc-
lions. The crowd that got in was a
large one but the result was good, in
that it was a quiet and more orderly one
than assembled the day before.
There were more ladies present than on
the day before several of them occupy
Ing the jury chairs, and they seemed 70
manifest much interest in the proceedings
The court assembled as before, and was
called to order promptly at II o'clock At
ter the call Of the roll, the taking of
testimony was proceeded with at once.
The first witness sworn was Assistant
United States Treasurer Samuel N. Jor-
dan of New York, whom Col. Barr said
ne introduced merely for the purpose of
identifying certain checks issued by Capt.
.. Nj. Carter corps of engineers. Mr..
Jordan. he said, was introduced out of
usual order. so that he might return to his
duties in New York The checks. Col
Barr said would probably be introduced
IN evidence later on.
Mr.. Jordan explained his official position.
and produced a bundle of checks signed
by Capt. Carter which he had been re-
quested TO bring with him The checks
identified were many of them drawn hy
Capt. Carter in favor of the Atlantic Con-
uactng Company, John f. Gaynor pres
ldent, and were thus indorsed for pay
ment. Mr.. Jordan identified each check
separately, giving the number, the date.
the payee, the drawer and the manner of
payment, whether over the counter of the
new YORK sub-treasury or through some
bank, or the New York clearing house
rms testimony was detailed and some
what tlresome, the same information be-
ing given over and over again with regard
TO each check
1t was noticed. however, that the gov
eminent checks identified were not alone
those paid by Capt. Carter on the two
contracts OF 1886. They were dated all
the way from 1892 up to 1897 the majority
OF them having been paid on the five old
contracts, the charges under which were
barred by statute of limitations Other
checks besides these mentioned were paw
abe to the Atlantic Contracting Company.
A@A0dAN II. gay treasurer. Among
the last checks identified were those for
$50, paid on the Savannah river
work, and SSA5,000 paid on the Cumberland
sound work, under the contracts of 1895
It took Mr.. Jordan nearly an hour and a
half to identify all of the checks which
covered all of the money paid out on the
government works in this district since
1892.
Col. Barr said Mr.. Jordan had not iden-
tined all OF the Endorsements that appear
ed on the checks and asked Can't. Carter's
council if they would admit the indorse-
ments which would all appear on the GER
tified copies of the checks which Mr. Jor-
dan will send, 10 be introduced in evidence
IN case they are desired. After consuita-
tion, Capt.~Carters attorneys said thew
would admit whatever Mr. Jordan certi-
lies to in the copies of the checks sent If
checks which Mr.. Jordan did not identify
were wanted, counsel for the defense said
they would reserve the right to call for the
originals
These checks are government documents
part OF an important record and are held
sacred. They are never allowed to 90 ont
OF their vault without being in the care of
trusted official hence MIR. Jordan
brought them down with him. and carried
them back to New York when he return
ed last night. If other originals should
be wanted during the trial, Mr.. Jordan
will have to come down to bring them as
so out of his custody. 1t is for this rea-
son that copies must be furnished for use
on the trial, should Col Barr decide TO in
troduce them as evidence.
Mr.. Rose questioned Mr. Jordan as to
the payment of the checks, and how the
payment was made when made through
the clearing house. Mr.. Jordan ex-
planned that the checks came in in sena-
rate packages to the sub-treasury. from
each separate bank through the clearing
house.
THE difference between the checks we
have on the banks, and the checks they
have ON us. we pay to the clearing house
The balance is usually against US. The
clearing house attends to the payment
of the money to the various banks
Mr.. Jordan also explained the manner
OF paying checks over the counter. and
stated TO whom such checks We're naib
One or two of the checks were paid over
the counter 10 John f. Gaynor. the sig.
nature being certified to by an officer or
some bank, and MIR. Gaynor being accom-,
panied by a runner from the bank in
question.
Mr.. Jordan's testimony being concluded
the court took a recess nf ii TO-. -.