The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-28
But Its PurpOrt Not Not Yet Made
Known by the COurt-Martial.
COUNSEL MAKES A STRONG PLEA
His Client Has All Through Conducted
Himself as an Honest Man Goadcd
to Desperation by the Unjust
Charges of His Superior
Officers - Gen. Alger
Testitics,

WASHINGION, Jan @t-4he tdSc u
ommissary-General Charles T. Eagan is
NOW i'm the hands OF the court-martial
amounted to try him. To-day the taking
of testimony was closed. and arguments
OF counsel submitted
The trial had lasted three days and con-
sumed less than eight hours Of actual
sitting.
4 session behind closed doors of an
hour or so sufiiced Tor the court to reach
a conclusion and embody It in report.
What the verdict was is altogether a
matter Of speculation, and officially al
least will not be made public by the
trial board. military regulations requiring
that It's findings shall 20 through pre-
scribed channels and Doe kept secret until
action be had and promulgated by the
proper reviewing authorities.
AFFECTED HIS MIND.
The testimony az the closing session ot
tho court was directed largely 70 estao-
lishine the fact that the General had
lost his mental balance as a result or the
charges made against him by General
Miles. tis daughter and her nus
band told Of the Generals changed con-
dltion. and intimated that they had great
fears that ne might al amy time Kill his
acCuscr.
Mr. Mckee. . lifelong friend, stated
that al that time be believed him ac-
mally irsane. The facts i'm this connec-
ton were brought out strongly by Mr..
Worthlngton in his efforts 10 show that
General Eagan at times was wholly
irresponsible.
A dramatic incident Of the trial to-day
was the testimony Of the General $
daughter. in which she described her
fathers appearance ON the day he first
read General Miles statement. Standing
in the door OF his house with the news
paper containing the evidences in his
hand he had exclaimed. wildly: Il have
been crucihed by General Miles"
ALGER's EVIDENCE.
Mr.. Russell Mger, the Secretary of
War. was also witness to-day lie
said that he recalled a conversation that
he had had with General Eagan shortly
after General Miles had given his testi-
mony General Eacan came into his
office On am excited state Of mind and said
10 was his wish 90 prefer charges against
General Miles for what he had saii.
81 told him." testified Secretary Alger,
chat under the Presidents order grant
ing immunity TO officers who testified
before the commission he could not do
So"
Mr.. Secretary. did you receive any i'm
strucr0ns from the President on THIS
point2"
'IIe said TO me immunity had been
granted To- witnesses.
General Aleer was excused the mem
bers of The court rising 20 their feet as
[ be withdrew.
THE ARGUMENT
Mr.. Worthington began argument for
the accused I'm which he cOntended thai
bv tine law OF this c0untry-civil, criml-
nal or milltary-the defendant could not
he called to account FOR what he said be-
fore thc War investigating Commission.
I'm concluding his address, which lasted
over am hour Air. Worthington made a
strong plea for the accused, asserting
that through this whole controversy ne
had conducted himself as an honest man
eoaded TO desperation by the cruel and
unjust accusations OF HIS superior officer
colonel Davis. the judge-adyocate,
closed the argument. He said that ne
had no other idea from the beginning
than that all the facts and the whole
truth i'm this case be brought out
Although General Eagan had been critl-
cised. So had many other high officers
ln the army. the heads Of bureaus, and
admirals of the navy; all had been more
or less severely criticised. but they had
continued 10 do their duty as men and
officers.
Judge-Advocate Davis spoke only about
thirty minutes. and as he concluded AZ
d.sO O'Clock General Merritt declared
the court closed, and ordered the room
10 DE vacated by an except the members
OF the court
A VERDICT REACHED.
The court was in executive session FOR
a little over am hour, and in this brief
space of time reached its conclusion. for
it soon became known when the doors
were re-opened that a verdict had been
reached. or in military parlance. the
courtmartial had made It's findings.
The fact was confirmed by the an
nounccmcnt from the judge-adyocate that
the court had adjourned without day. IL
can be recalled only 10 correct fault
in the proceedings, which IS a rare oc-
currence.
In the regular crder the fnds and pro-
ceedings must De carefu'ly gone over
by JudgeAdvocate Davis. He thought
IL was impossible this afternoon TO con-
clude his task tomorrow or Monday. lie
VIII pace LIt Alffn III llf haAt'' ~
Judge Advocated enerh Lieher, whose
duty IL will be 20 make most careful
examination of every part Of the record
aud findings with view to any irregu-
laritv In for ~. Presumably. II he finds
an forms right. he will forward the pa
pers tc the Seer etary OF War with his
endorsement. II he sees nit 10 add one.
and the latter will act "By direction OF
the President" according to the form
Of practice adopted ia Secretary Lamont's 5
time.
II is proper u state that IT is possible
for the papers 10 pass through the hands
OF General Miles at some stage In the
PROCEEDINGS he acting only I'm the capac-
itv OF q reviewing authority. but this is
not uniform practice and there was a
notable exception in the Carter court
martial