The times., 1899-08-12
The Carter scandal.

The Carter Scandal.
Before the end of the matter is reached
il VIII probably appear that of all the
scandals connected wi Mr.. McKinley's Ad-
ministration the ooe relating TO the Garter
court-martial case will be found most in
furious TO its record, and possibly to Re-
publican party prospects next year. The
general features of the story have been
so often printed in these columns that we
need not go over them again at length on
this occasion.
Before court which convened at Sayan-
nah on January L. 1898, oberiin NJ. Carter,
Captain of Engineers u. S. A., and Amer
lean Military Attacte at the Court of St
James, was charged with conspiring to de-
fraud the United States; causing false and
fraudulent claims to be made against the
United States; conduct unbecoming an of
feer and a gentleman, and embezzlement of
one million six hundred Thousand dollars.
On the 18th Of May 1898, he was found
guilty and was sentenced, to dismissal from
the Army. to be imprisoned for five years
and TO pay a fine of ten thousand
dollars. In addition, his name crime, and
punishment were ordered to be published
in the press of his home town for a period
of six months.
The record Of the trial was approved by
| the Judge Advocate General of the Army,
and transmitted to the President for final
action on July 15, 1893. Carter is still a
| captain in the Army under full pay, and is
al large, his technical '.arrest" confining him
only to the limits OF the United States No
decision has been reached, or at least pro-
mulgated, by Mr.. Mckinley. although more
than year has elapsed since the papers
were submitted to him. The Judge Advo-
Gates approval was first ignored, and for
mer Senator Edmunds was employed at
a fee of FIVE thousand dollars to go over
the evidence and write an opinion, which
practically admitted Carteris guilt, but sug-
gested new trial, as evidence on which he
was convicted was seized and placed be-
fore the court improperly" Now the trial
records are in the hands OF Attorney Gen.
eraI Griggs, who is reported as saying that
he will not trouble himself about the mat
ter until after the return from Europe of
Oarter.s leading counsel, Wayne Mcyeagh
home for months.
Ali this delay and nonaction is the
result of the social, financial and political
pressure the convicted man has been able
to exert on the President 1t is so strong
that Carter, IL is said, confidently expects 10
escape punishment altogether, and be al
lowed to resign honorabiy from the service.
In the foregoing hasty outline OF the
miserable affair we have omitted many col
lateral matters which add further 10 the
culpability of the Administration in delay
ing and endeavoring TO defeat justice. They
are not germane TO our present purpose,
which is. to remind the President that the
wickedness OF the thing he has been per-
Eitting for over twelve months is not
confined to the mere fact that one guilty
man has gone unpublished. The Law, TO be
respected. must be administered impair
TALLY. II the liability OF person to suffer
for crime Is TO depend upon his ability or
inability to control votes in the Senate, or
to procure heavy contributions to cam
paign funds, there will be just ground for
complaint among the large class of enter
prising public servants who would like to
ccnspire. defraud. and embezzle a little,
but In whose behalf there is no chance that
the Government would shut its eyes TO the
sentence Of court, or pay George f. Ed
munds five thousand dollars to find a way
to set it aside.
Since Carter has been found guilty OF
making away with much more than a
million dollars of public money, and has
been roaming at liberty and living in lux
ury, many less fortunate Government Off
GERS have gone over the road. For there
is no hope of leHiency OF delay for the
poor devil OF a letter carrier who. in a
moment OF temptation, taps the mail for
a few dollars, He quickly lands in Tren-
ton or Albany penitentiary for as many
wears as Carter was to have served. And
the deep-dyed villain who would defraud
the revenues Of this land OF impartial
justice by turning his little corn crop into
a few gallons OF moonshine whisky need
not expect mercy at the hands OF the out
ragged law, for not any will ne get.
Does Mr.. Mckinley wish the country to
think that, while stealing few postage
stamps, or sweating half dozen gold
pieces. is disgraceful. felonious, and
worthy OF a prison cell and hard labor. 1t
is pardonable if not honorable TO rob the
American people OF millions. when the
robber happens to be good fellow OF
high social position, and an intimate ac-
quaintance?