Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-07
CAPTAIN CARTEWs CASE.

Carter and his admirers are smart"
20 put him before the country, as they
are now doing, as 1.-THE American Drey-
fus." The time Is opportune The fate
OF Captain Dreyfus enlists the sympathy
OF the civilized world. while General Otis
IS becoming more and more unpopular.
So far the attempt to picture Carter
as the victim of conspiracy rests chief
ly upon an affidavit which was made
five or six months ago by Frank p Blair,
who was one Of Carriers counsel The
Dispatch published this affidavit in full
in last Sundays issue. If true, 1t GER
tainly puts General Otis and some other
members of the court-martial in a sorry
position. They were found closeted, con-
ferring together, about the case and read
ing over document with the prose-
cutting officers. That is what Carter
calls "tampering with the jury" Ii the
facts are as stated by his friends. Otis
and others ought not 20 have been kept
on that court. However. We are yet To
hear their side Of the story. They may
easily dispose of Bairs charges. which,
really are rather to be classed as strong
suspicious than as well ascertalned facts.
When Blair came upon Otis and the
others in that questionable position he
did not upbraid them In the slightest
Nor did he afterwards object to their
continuance in place as members of the
court. In thus refraining from making
cutlery and complaint, Blair says as
counsel for Carter he was guided by mo-
tives of policy.
If Carter did not have a fair trial of
course the judgment of the military
court ought not 70 stand: but evidently
the President is not convinced that that
is a fact. If he had been he would
have set aside the courts findings forth
with. Instead of that he has allowed
nineteen months 10 elapse since judgment
was rendered and has been diligent in
getting lawyers TO review and criticlse
the proceedings Of the courtmartial. 1t
may be presumed that General Otis was
long ago informed Of Blairs affidavit
and that he has made an explanation
satisfactory to the President, else the
President hardly would have continued
10 honor Otis with high command.
Per contra, that there is an element of
mystery in this case is certain. The Pres
idents delay and hesitation in acting
cannot be explained upon ordinary
grounds We do not know whats the
matter" Some surprise or shock, may
be in store for us.
However. we say "Out with the truth"
no matter whom it hurts. If Carter has
a "pull" at Washington strong enough
TO disable the arm OF. the law the people
should know IT, If the Nicaragua Canal
Company IS powerful enough to cause
Carter 60 be- convicted without sufficient
evidence. that fact IS important. II
proved, il would. indeed show a most
alarming state of morals among our high
army officers. II Jurors" such as Gene
raj Otis. permitted themselves TO be
''tampered with" Heaven save the coun-
trvl
We DO not know whether Carriers
coterie had anything TO do with publish
ing Blair's affidavit or not II they did
st may prove to be false move 1t viii
rally the friends OF Otis and OF the other
officers concerned. on the other hand,
the aindaNit Is not sufhclent 10 feNOlu-
tionize public opinion. II Otis denies
Blair's insinuauons, tho people will give
quite as much credence TO his statement
as To Hairs
But what really has surprised the pub
lie Is the statement. which now comes
from the Carterites, that the judgment
OF the court was reached By vote OF
10 6. The War Department has allowed
the public 70 believe that Carter was con-
Nieted unanimously Our Understanding
IL that no matter by what vote con-
eios'on Is reached the members Of
eonft-msrtial al sign the findings. Ia
mat way. possibly. the conflict Of state
meat has come about
Ihsvcarter case has entered Us an ele-