Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-13
The Carter Case.

A dispatch from the national capital
which was published yesterday in our
telegraph columns furnished the infor-
nation that Acknowledgement Griggs,
10 whom the testimony I'm the Carter case
had been referred four or five months ago,
said that in all probability he would
not reach formal conclusion in the mat
ter Until Mr.. Wayne McVeagh. counsel
for Captain Carter. had been given an OPP
portunity to be heard" The dispatch
further stated that McVeagh is at the
present time in Europe, whence he is ex-
pected TO return soon; and that the work
Of reviewing the testimony is now so
well-adyanced that probably a conc.u-
sion Will be reached before the close Of
September.
This Is the same old story Of delay, it
will be observed, which has already held
up this scandaiOus case for more than
a year and a half, and il is the same old
story. also, in that the delay Is wholly
and solely in the embezzler's behalf. No
body on the outside has ever meen able
10 tell the precise influences which have
been at work 10 get Carriers sentence
at least as 10 the Imprisonment item or
it-quashed; and Mckinley Is 50 regard
less Of public opinion that he allows the
scandal % remain a stigma against ais
administration rather than do his duty
in the premises.
Ever since the court-martial, away back
in December, 1881, found Carter guilty, III
cahoOt with a number OF wealthy con-
tractors, Of embezzling funds of The gov
eminent amounting 10 between S-'Dy'"V
and $4,000, and sentenced nm 10 els
missal from the army 70 several years
Imprisonment. and to the payment OF
fine the administration has taken q pa
ternal interest In the swlndler's interest
Not only for one reason or other ala me
President. commander-in-chief Of me
army, put off the task Of reviewing ire
evidence in the case from month 10
month, contrary 10 all precedent, until
more than a year had expired from the
date Of the court-martiaPs finding, but
he employed one Of the most distinguish
ed LAWYERS in the United states eN-Sen-
ator Edmunds. Of Vermont, 10 80 over
the evidence with a view 10 and IN the
hope Of finding some flaw in the court
martlaFs methods that would Vitae the
courts finding.
Ex-senator Edmunds was. Of course,
far too honest a man 20 invent a nav
where there was 10 flaw; and Mckinney
homes OF freeing carter being frustrated
through this channel, he handed over the
evidence 10 the Department Of Justice
for examination there. Griggs has now
had the evidence in hand for at least
four or 1--WE months. and he says as we
saw from the Washington dispatch, taat
he must further wait on the convenience
OF Carriers counsel. Supposng that MI
McVeagh's health vii. not admit Of his
returning 70 the United states for year
or two-as may easily be the case-the
inference from Griggs's statement IS that
the final review Of the evidence VIII not
be accomplished before that time. as, OF
course. IL is above all things necessary,
according 10 the administrators idea,
that no action shall be adopted IN the
case until Carriers interests are fully
taken care OF.
one would greatly wish 10 know why
and how comes all this extraordinary So
icitude for Carter on the part of the adj
ministration. He was not an unusually
able officer. and never did any service for
his country on account OF which any spe-
ciaI- consideration should be shown him.
Yet we saw last year one or the foremost
LAWYERS OF the United States retained at
the governments expense 10 examine The
evidence I'm his case with a View 10 lind
ing flaws in It. and, now. after the De-
partment Of Justice has had that same
evidence in its hands for review for four
or five months. the head OF the depart
ment mas the GOODNESS 10 tell the country
that nothing further will be done in the
case. until Carriers counsel. now In Eu-
rome shall have been consulted
why should Carriers counsel be con-
smiled al an2 Ii is not for The convicted
emhezzler. or his counsel which Is the
same thing. TO say what shall be done In
the matter OF giving effect 10 the court
martiars sentence: II lies with the com
mander-in-chief OF the army. and with
him alone. 70 review the evidence and
he sentence; and 1t Is a disgrace TO Nc
Kinley and his administration and
stain upon the record Of the army, that
a convicted swindleT like Oberlin NJ. Car
ter should. more than a year and a half
after his sentence Of dismissal from the
Military service Of the country, be still
strutting in his uniform In In the streets OF
New York and drawing MS pay as II he
were an honorable military servant OF
the United States.