New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-29
! GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
THE SAD STORY OF MAJOR WATSON.
srcprrARy moor GIVES HIM ANOTHER CHANCE
A BRAVE sURFMAN-CHANGEs IN THE
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS-

SECRETARY moor GIVES HIM ANOTHER CHANCE
A BRAVE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN THE
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS-
Washington. oct $50 you were in the
9th. were you?" asked an old soldier at the
War Department of one OF the newly enlisted
men, a veteran OF the Civil War. who had called
10 get his communication OF rations preparatory
TO going to the Philippines.
Yes" replied the soldier. with some enthusi-
asm.
You knew Smith and Jones and Robinson, dld
you? Splendid fellows. weren't they? II was
great regiment. Did some fine work. and I'm
proud 10 have been member Of It, But II was
dsgraced confound IT; it was disgraced. Do
you happen to know anything Of that fellow
Wasson?"
"Wasson?" queried the soldier, "Wasson'
Why. yes. remember something about Was
SON"
He was n good for nothing blackleg. an
nounced the former member Of the 3lth
What did YOU know about him." asked his
listener.
Know about him, I know he robbed the
country Of $4,000 Said it was stolen from his
berth But that story wouldn't go down with
the court martial: not all Of his swell friends
service In disgrace. II was pity, too,' con-
tinued the narrator renectively. WATSON had
a big career back Of him. and had been high
muck a-muck out I'm the East Was a great
friend ~ Fred Grant went through West Point
with him He was graduated in the class Of al
and made such a name as civil engineer that
he was invited to go 10 China and Japan pid
some engineering for those governments and
,f,u ytif le
major. in the army Of the Mkado. Made a big
record In the Formosa campaign. was decorated
with the order Of the Rising Sun. made a mem
her Of the Imperial order Of Merit Of Mcpi and
annointed TO the chair OF civil engineering In
the Imperial University at TOXIC served therc
FOR several wears and scored devil OF a sue
cess. II was all sunshine and pleasant for him
then. he was courted and made much Of. Mar
ried tho daughter Of tho American Minister 10
Iapan. Bingham Of ohio. and when he came
back 10 this country was appointed 10 a pay
mnstershlp with the rank Of major. served f'r
seven or eight years until 1883 when this horrid
scandal came out"
What did people say about It? Did every
one think him guilty." asked the veteran VINO
wore the uniform Of a private wstfuly.
What did people think about it, There was
great difference Of opinion. Some thought MI"
guilty. many believed him innocent There was
q tremendous effort to get him acquitted. his
friends stuck TO him through thick ana th'n'
matted him on the back and believed in nm
believe in him yet. SO they say
That's something" remarked the private, In
an unsteady voice
Yes rs something. but he's a scoundrel just
the same. and dsgraced the regiment. DID you
ever meet him.
Yes. I'VE met him." replied the soldier. Inc
fact Of the case is. I'm WATSON"
Wasson's former companion in arms was
much embarrassed MY dear sir he SAID
my dear sir I'm very sorry. very sorry pu'
you see
Never mind" interrupted Wasson you be
ueved all you said You heard Of me once IN
disgrace, you will hear Of me again TN honor.
T have a chance and shall make the most OF II.
II is a chance that not many old soldiers. no
matter how patriotic would care 70 embrace
the privilege OF going 10 the philippines WIN
all TINT II means-in the ranks at the age OF
nftv-three. a stigma on his name that has sad
dened and ruined his whole life. Many good
mon believe In the innocence he has never been
able 70 siablish and Secretary Root was a.
IMPRESSED by the man and the representations
Of those friends whose loyalty has never swerved
in the long dark years that followed their for
rner Commanders conviction that he set aside
two rules Of the Department-the age limit for
enlisiing men and that prohibiting the enlist
rocnt Of a man dismissed in disgrace from the
service-to allow Mr. WATSON, former major In
the Regular Army, to enter the ranks.