Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-30
Importance of the Carter Court.
Martial.
EFFECT OF WAYNE M'VEAGH'S BRIEF
A Party Believing in the Accused's
Innocence.
DELAY IN THE CASE

the now famous Carter case have effected
a complete mystfcation. Hardly anything
in connection with the administration has
excited more criticism than the course of
the President in delaying action for the
further investigation of this matter before
approving the findings of the court-martial
which convicted Carter. Denunciations of
Capt. Carter have been reiterated and re-
iterated month after month, and both the
President and the Attorney General have
been severely criticised, the insinuation be-
il g thrown out that they were being halted
In a plain duty by powerful influences.
Until now there has been practically no
defense nor denial of the repeated accu-
sations, and it has been the very COM
mon belief here that there was something
| essentially scandalous in the attempt to
protect Capt. Carter from the punishment
which the court-martial sentenced him to-
Now that McVeighs brief presenting
Capt. Carters side of the case has been
published making powerful defense and
discrediting the character of evidence upon
which Capt. Carter was convicted people
who have taken it for granted all along
that there should be no question of Car
ter's guilt amazed.
1t looks as if there might develop ques-
ton almost as complicated as French mill
tary politics.
Two Determined Factions.
There appear to be two very determined
factions ready to make a protracted fight
over this case if need be. and the integrity
of general court-martial proceedings is as
sailed in the defense of Captain Carter
What there is behind the case and what is
the right and justice of it are things that
can be known only to the persons having
all the evidence and the officials making
the investigation, but it is felt in army cir
cles that if it can be shown that Captain
Carter has been Improperly cn4 victed, and
the claims set forth by his attorneys are
substantiated. that military justice will be
thoroughly discredited and that courts
martial will be hereafter looked upon as
incompetent to deal with such questions as
that presented in the Carter and that
the whole code of military justice will be
brought into contempt.
Military Courts Criticised.
There is no Indication that in the army
circles here there is any disposition to sac
rifce justice in order to preserve the dig
nifty and character of courts-martial, but
there Is a feeling that the finding of the
court should not be overturned unless 1t
is shown beyond question that the finding
was improper. and that if such a state of
facts Should be discovered it is believed
that the result will be practically to render
ccurts-1nartial of little value
The criticisms of courts-martial in the
past have been on the score of a tendency
on the part of army officers serving on a
court to deal too leniently with the
cused fellow officer. This criticism was
passed upon the court martial which tried
General Swayne, and upon the court which
tried Major Lydecker in connection with
the defective work the Washington
adueduct tunnel, two cases which have been
most talked about
The easy escape of Gen. Eagan is a mat
ter of recent history, but that was mat
ter of executive clemency. The idea of
court-martial being unjustly severe upon
officer of the army is not one that has
been generally entertained
Action of the President.
The Carter case Is one of such universal
notoriety that it Is not believed that any
action will be taken in it by the Presi-
dent which cannot be justified at every
point whether the result is to the benefit
of or to the condemnation of Capt. Carter.
Captain Carter has been able to make
a very remarkable fight in his own defense,
and it is not believed that there is any
possibility of injustice being done him by
whatever action the President decides
upon, and it may be depended upon with
which convicted him will fight to maintain
their own regulations and the integrity
of courts-martial with sufficient determi-
nation to prevent stigma being thrown
upon the court If not deserved.
The case has assumed a character which
involves the reputation of military courts
and the dignity and character of the army.
which the President is necessarily bound to
mits Of
Disposition of the Case.
Attorney General Griggs is expected to
return to Washington next week. and it Is
thought that the matter will be disposed of
soon after
OF course, the contention of Captain Car
ter's counsel is not accepted by those who,
being familiar with the case, insist upon
Captain Carriers guilt, but there is a very
general belief that the President was thor
oughly justified in having a careful exam
inaton made into the upon such
claims Mr.. McVeagh sets forth in his
brief.
1t is felt that the broad character of the
claims set up in behalf of Carter is a justi-
ficatiOn of the Presidents course up to this
time, though the investigation he has or
dered should fully sustain the action of
the court-martia 1t is felt that the
President could not have refused to inves-
ugate the claims set forth by the defense,
even If he did not have faith in these claims
being sustained.
JUDGE SCHACkLEFORDS ELECTION.
Mr. Cannnn Saya That tho