New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-26


WAS RENpERED-PRoMPr ACTION ON
OTHER COURT MARTIAL CASES.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBuxnI
Washington Aug 2o-On April 20 1871
cnerIn VI Carter. captain Of engineers, United
e.ates Army. was convicted by a court martial
-, stealing S17OoOO0 from the Federal Govern
,neut while in charge OF the Improvement OF
savannah Harbor, gross neglect OF duty and
conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman.
The sentence imposed dismissal from the
Army 10 pay fine of $4,000 and to be i'm
prisoned at hard labor for five years.
on May l. 1895 the records In the
reached the Secretary OF War who Immediately
transmitted them. according TO the usual GUS
som TO the Judge Advocate General for review.
The case was examined by Judge Advocate Cen
A.ral IAeber the findings Of the court martial We're
approved and the case resubmtted to the
Secretary Of War July 3. 1895. General
Alger then Secretary OF War forwarded the
findings TO the President on July 10. 1898 and
s1rom that date to the present time it has hung
FIRE Five thousand dollars was paid to ex-Sena-
tor Edmunds to review the and render
legal opinion. which was done with the result,
q, is said that Mr.. Edmunds found no flaw in
7he decision Of the court martial The case
then sent 10 the Attorney General TOT an
opinion on technicalities raised by Wayne Mac
Neagh employed by the defendant. and IL has
since remained IN the Attorney Generals Office.
AN INTERESTING COMPARISON.
The Carter case is without parallel IN the
aistory OF the country considering the amount
~ money embezzled. comparison. however.
with other cases which have arisen in the last
twenty years where officers have embezzled
r,fch
,nent melted out to them by court martial. the
findings Of which promptly approved by
former Presidents Of the United States is in
feresting in view Of the unprecedented delay
IN the final disposition of this now famous
case.
on May "a. 1888 Major James r. WATSON
paymaster al San Antonio. Tex. was charged
with the embezzlement OF $4,000 while sta
toned at Galveston. A court martial was or
tered which found Major WATSON guilty.
and ne was sentenced TO dismissal from the
teervice and TO be confined at hard labor in
,euch penitentiary the proper author.-
ties might designate for period OF elsh-
teen months and that the crime, pun
4shment name and place of abode OF the &C
cused officer be published in the newspapers OF
the State from which he came and those of
the MACE where he was stationed. The findings
of the court martial were promptly approved
Nv the Judge Advocate General the Secretary
% War and lastly by President Arthur on June
"s 1858 lust one month and four days after
The decision was first rendered. The state
T7enitentiary at Lansing. Mich. was designated
as the place of confinement
on October T. 1890 Major James H. Nelson,
,vavraster stationed at New-York City, was
convicted by court martial of the embezzlement
OF S1O319 ii. and was sentenced to be dismissed
from the Army 10 pay fine Of $500 and 10 be
,roprisoned at hard labor in Federal peniten-
tary for two years and until such fine was
paid. providing the entire imprisonment did not
exceed five years A determined effort was
made to secure Executive clemency by Major
Nelson's friends in New-York. which resulted
IN delay OF nearly three months, but after a
thorough examination OF the case, President
HAYES approved the full sentence on January u.
1851
Another case Of ENHANCEMENT occurred on
October II 1890 at Fort Clark. Texas. where
First Lieutenant George L. Turner. Of the 18Th
Infantry. was convicted by court martial Of dis
obedience Of orders and Of embezzlement Of the
regirental band funds. amounting TO So43 l3.
He ives sentenced 20 Re dismissed from the ser
vice and 20 be confined until he restored the
band funds for not more than three years.
Friends Of the lieutenant vigorously protested
against the sentence or the court martial. anu
tried 70 induce President Harrison 70 disapprove
the findings After a careful examination Of the
case President Harrison refused to interfere
whereupon friends Of the officer paid the amount
embezzled and he was dishonorably dismissed
from the service.
Another similar case that Of Captain
George T. Olmstead who erbezzed. while in
charge OF certain military telegraph lines in the
Department Of Arizona. nearly $1,000. He was
tried by court martial at Fort Leavenworth
Kansas July g. 1884. and sentenced 70 dismissal
from the service and the payment OF fine OF
5000 the amount ernbezzled. The fine imposed
was promptly paid and President Arthur ap-
proved the sentence OF dismissal October o.
1854
THREE CASES IN THIS ADMINISTRATIONS
First Lieutenant John NJ Neal Attn Cavalry.
wss tried by court martial March 24 1899. IN
California for failure 10 render an account OF
post exchange funds or Troop B. 4th Cavalry.
Before the trial occurred. however. his friends
paid the amount Of his embezzement- and after
hearing Of the case he was found guilty by
court martial and sentenced 70 dismissal from
the service An effort made To secure tire
reversal of the decision Of the court marital,
bur on July 8 1899 President Mckinley ap-
proved the sentence
Another case Of particular interest at TINS
time Is that OF Captain Leonard A. LoverihS'
Who was +ricd bv court martial at Fort Sheridan
Illinois November T. 1897. charged Wild CON
duct preiudicial 10 good order and military
discipline in cruel treatment of Private CHARLES