The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-29
THE EDMUNDS BILL
NOT THE OLD ONE
This Time 1t Is a Claim for
Whitewashing Carter.
Comptroller Traceweli Refused to
Pay the Account
Friends of the Prisoner May Settle
to Prevent Airing in
Congress.

The Carter court-martial case was
brought TO the surface again yesterday by
decision of Comptroller of the Treasury
r. ]. Tracewell in reply TO an enquiry from
Secretary Alger. Owing TO the great pres
sure brought to bear upon the President
to secure the Communication of the sentence
of Captain Carter, of the Engineer Corps,
and the many written arguments which
were submitted TO Mr. Mckinley in behalf
of the condemned officer, it was deter
mined TO have the case, arguments and ALL
reviewed by authority favorable 10 the con-
yicted officer, military law and precedent
10 the contrary Notwithstanding.
The President selected former Senator
Edmunds for this task and he proceeded
TO wade through the voluminous records Of
the case and the many statements in Car
ter's behalf submitted by the influential
friends of the latter. This review occu-
pied Mr. Edmunds attention for period
of more than 4 month, with what results
have never been made known TO the pub
lie.
In fact, the findings OF the former Sena-
tor at once became part of the secret ar
chives of the noted and notorious case. 1t
has been stated and denied that the Ed
munds review was favorable to Carter.
Nothing is known officially. however, and
all statements conc rning the matter were
characterized as gu ISIS work.
For his service il reviewing the mass OF
papers Mr. Edmun S charged the Govern
ment the sum of s. Doc II was IN relation
TO this fee that Cor ptroller Tracewell rem
dered his decision .sterday.
He informed Secretary Alger that, so
far as he was aware, there was no fund
in the Treasury or elsewhere from which
the sum of $1,000 could be legally taken
TO pay the fee of former Senator Ed
munds for reviewing the badly complicated
and long held-up Carter case.
In addition to the fee of $1,000 Mr.. Ed
munds sent in TO President Mckinley a
bill for $500 additional TO cover his eX-
penses during this review. Thus it is pro-
posed to add $500 TO the millions which,
as the court-martial that tried him seems
to think, were stolen from the Government
by Carter and the concerns engaged under
his charge in the Improvement of Sayan-
nah Harbor.
Just how Mr.. Edmunds is to get his fee
and expense money is problem which has
assumed annoying proportions in the eyes
of the Administration, owing TO Comp
troller Tracewelrs opinion. Treasury Off
cials say it will require a special act Of
Congress to obtain the money. But, they
add. to ask Congress to appropriate the
sum would be to lay bare before the people
the records of one of the worst cases OF
official rascality on record, with its many
odious side issues and ramifcations, in
GLIDING the pleas and arguments of men
high IN political life for clemency for an
army captain who has been found guilty
by a court of brother officers Of embeZZling
$500. 600 OF Government funds, and much
more not included in the specifications, the
greater amount being barred by the stat
ute of Limitation. The verdict of the court
was Imprisonment, heavy fine, dismissal
from the army, and degradation by being
published officially 10 the world for his
crime
Rather than have the case exposed by
being brought before Congress it is stated
that certain wealthy friends of Carter will
prevail upon Mr.. Edmunds to withdraw
his bill for $500 and pay him that amount
quietly themselves.
It is more than probable however, that
when the river and harbor bill is brought
up for consideration the papers in this case
will be called for and the expose will fol-
low.
The Carter case has already been ere
viewed" officially six times-frst by the
judge advocate Of the court, next by Cen
eral Lieber, Judge Advocate General
whose action should have been final: Their
Dy secretary Alger, The President the At
torney General, and former Senator Ed
munds. This reviewing process, it is said
has been resorted TO in order TO delay ac'
ton on the case.
Now a seventh review, or. as an arm!
officer expressed il, "a review OF reviews,
will be made of the papers by Colone
Barr of the Judge Advocate Generals OF
fee, who was summoned 10 Washington
for that purpose. In the mean time tn
yoluminous document remains under loci
and key in the Department of Justice