Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-06

suggestion would be that he would be IN
terested intensely I'm the result Oh the
trial. I'm which the honor. as well as the
libcrtv % his son-ln-law was Involved
one would naturally think that ialher-
in-law so regardful OF his son-in-iaW >
interests would be quick TO rush 10 ms
defence, and by his oath 10 add coniriha-
ilon 10 the story which. If true, would
exculpate him from these serious charges.
NO EFFORT TO SECURE WESCOTT'
1T is said that Captain Carter made
great efforts 10 secure the attendance Oh
Mr.. Wescott as a witness. but tnefe Is
no proof Of it, There is no evidence
that he wrote him or requested MN III
any wise TO appear as Witness pclvIe
the court-martial. The inference Is that
his testimony would not have benehted
Captain Carter, II he had appeared. such
IS the irresistible conclusion. On there
fore finding that the one witness IN az
the world who could have created con-
viction I'm the minds OF the court as 70
the truth Of this extraordinary story
withholds himself and that there Is no
satisfactory evidence that the defendant
made any exertion to produce him. we
must conclude that his testimony Wouiu
not have been useful.
1T is also noteworthy that Weacott
cancelled the power of attorney Which
Carter held. almost Immediately AFTER
the accusation against Garter became
public. in the fan of 1884,
The Attorney-General then shows, by
an analysis OF Captain Carriers tesu-
mony. that in his dealings with his iatner-
in-law he rendered strict account TO that
gentleman. and that Carter's iuhds III
the Union Trust Company were IN excess
of those Of Mr.. Wescott during the en-
tire time that he had control OF the lat
ter's affairs.
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.
"The testimony" he added. "does not
strike me as that OF man possessed OF
a clear Idea of the truth and deterHliicu
10 tell II. but rather as the clever evasion
of one who is endeavOring artihcially 10
account for the possession OF moneys
derived from other sources.
Mr. Griggs also mentions other cIcutn-
stances. which he pronounces suspicious
including the fact that many Oh the che0A -
Maid to the contractors were collected III
IN over The counter at the Sub-Ireasury
and the circumstance that carter Na5
nreeent I'm New York on July H. 1871
when the large checks were delivered 10
Gavnor on that date, and that ne vas
ON many other occasions, from loy- 10 49, >
present in New York when payments
we're made to the contractors.
$40 urcsents a statement showing ue-
,oeits Of currency made by Captain Car
Ter simultaneously with the cashihg OF
checks given TO the contractors III New
YORK. ..,,,.,-
STAGGERS CREDULITf.
ON another point the Attorney-Generai
80 carriers statement of the gold
cortidcates contained i'm Mr. WescotJ $
safe-deposit box, 10 the amount OF over
SuoOOO. As such an extraordinary stoIS /,
and so Inconsistent with the methods OIL
"a businessman, such as Mr.. Nescotl Is
testified to be. that fl staggers creduAty'
N that money was there, in box 10
which Captain Carter had access, 1t Is
more probable that he put it there, using
This means to withhold temporarily from
his own bank account large sums when
be had received from other sources.
Such a device as that would be entirely
consistent with the theory Of fraud ana
conceaIment which is maintained by the
nrosccution. Captain Carter Is admit
teddy a shrcWd and clever man, ana IL
fs apparent from an examination OF these
accounts that he has resorted 10 VarloI rs
devices 10 cover up his tracks, ana con-
coal the true character or MS lidnsdc-
tions. Whether this was one Of them or
NOT or whether the whole story Is a
fabrication. cannot be determined, out
I'm view OF all the evidence, and consider
ing the improbability OF his story, the
FAILURE to produce cOrrOb0ratlVe PROOF,
which was within his reach. the long
continued possession of the large amounts
of securities which he admittedly pur-
chased. and the collection and approprla-
tiou TO himself of tho interest coupons
thereon. with various other considera-
tions which tend TO discredit the truth
of his explanation, the conclusion Is
forced upon the mind that captain Carter
during these years from 1872 10 1897, had
enriched himself 10 a large degree in
some manner not accounted for by his
own testimony. and the irresistible con-
cmsion. therefore. is. that the true eH-
planation of this rapid accession Of wealth
il one that no could not safely
make. and that it is 10 be accounted
for only by accepting the theory that he
participated IN the fraudulent proceeds OF
tho contracts under his charge"
FINDING JUSTIFIED.
The statement concludes as follows: 81
am. therefore, led to tho conclusion that
the cOurt-martlal was justified IN its
finding OF guilty upon the charges and
specifications relating 10 these contracts
OF September, 1896, and that the finding
and sentence Of the court with respect
thereto should be approved