The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-28
The Trial Of the Accused Commls-
sary General Closed.
Taking Of Testimony Concluded and Argu-
nents Of Counsel Submitted.
The Court Reaches a Conclusion,
But the Verdict Will Not be
Made Public Until the Findings
Have Been Submitted to and
Action Taken by the Proper Re-
viewing Authorities.

viewing Authorities.
WASHINGTON, JAM 27-The case
of Commissary- General Charles P.
Eagan, charged with conduct tending to
the prejudice of good order and military
discipline is now in the hands of the
court-martial appointed to try him.
To-day the taking of testimony was
closed and arguments of counsel sub
mitted. The trial lasted three days, and
consumed less than eight hours of ac-
tual sitting.
A session behind closed doors of an
hour or SO sufficed for the court to
reach conclusion and embOdy in its
report. What the verdict will be is al
together matter of speculation, and
officially, at least, will not be made
public by the trial board, military reg
ulations requiring that its findings
shall go through prescribed channels
and be kept secret until action be had
and promulgated by the proper review
ing authorities.
The attendance at the court-martial
was much larger to-day than at any
other time since the trial began, and
among the spectators was a score or
more of ladies. Several of them We're
friends of General Eagan's daughter,
who was called as a witness. while
others were attracted by curiosity.
The testimony at the closed session
of tie court was directed largely 20 es-
tablishing the fact that the General had
lost his mental balance as a result or
the charges made against him by Cen
eral Miles. His daughter and her hus-
band told of the Generals changed con-
dition, and intimated that they had
great fear that he might at any time
kill his accuser.
Mr. Mckee, a lifelong friend, stated
that at times he believed him actually
insane The facts in this connection
were brought out strongly by Mr.
Worthngton in his efforts to show that
General Eagan at times was wholly ir-
responsible.
A dramatic incident of the trial to-day
was the testimony Of the Generals
daughter, in which she described her
fathers appearance on the day he nrst
read General Miles statement. Stand
ing in the door of his house with the
newspaper containing the evidence in
his hand, he had exclaimed wildly: Il
have been crucified by General Miles
Throughout the three days of the
trial the members of the court sat IN
their places and attentively listened to
every word of the testimony. only on
two or three occasions did they ask the
witnesses any questions, and then an
answer of yes or no sufficed. where
their sympathies were or what was
passing in their minds was not dls-
cloeed by even the slightest change OF
expression.
Immediately upon the case being
closed. the room was ordered cleared
and the court went into executive ses-
sion to deliberate upon their findings
THE CLOSING TESTIMONY.
WASHINGTON, Jan 21.-The first
witness before the Eagan court-martlal
to-day was David r. Mckee OF this
city, for years the agent of the Asso-
ciated Press He had known General
Eagan for about forty-five years. Iney
were intimate friends as boys ana
Young men. and the friendship never
had been interrupted, although they at
times had not seen each other for long
intervals.
During the period between the time
General Miles gave his testimony pc
fore the War Investigating Commission
and the day on which General Eagan
made his statement the witness saw
him two or three times. He seemed
careworn and much preoccupied
"what impression did the language
he used make upon your
ST was shocked. grieved, astonished
and alarmed. Alarmed because 1t
seemed to me. from my long acquain-
tance with him, my knowledge of his
character. my knowledge that he was
always courteous and scrupulously cor
rect in his language, that he had lost
bts mind. My impression was one OF
absolute fear and belief that under
some extraordinary strain he had be-
come insane. his remarks were so ut
terly at variance with his usual Ian
euaee. In the forty-fve years have
Known him. 1 have never heard him
use a coarse word or vulgar epithet."
ssnid YOU see General Eagan after
he had made this statement?
YES sir"
what took place Them
The prosecution offered no objection,
and the witness proceeded:
1T expressed to General Eagan my
nrofound regret that he had given ut
ferance to such language. | spoke 70
him in a reproachful manner for mol
speasxing to me about the matter be-
fore he testified, and giving me the OPP
portunity for blue penciling his state
ment. General Eagan replied in SUBJ
stance that he wished he had felt al
liberty to consult me. He felt thai
he was restrained from doing so, how
ever. on account of the friendly rela-
tions existing between myself and Cen
eral Miles and the latter's family. Gen.
eral Eagan said he felt it might impair
our relations"
Counsel then reviewed the statement
made by General Miles, and character
ized 1t as without parallel in the his
tory OF the country. He commented
,,pon the statemtnt that General Miles
.nretended to have known about the So
called beef frauds for three months be-
fore he had sprung them upon tbs
country in his testimony before the
war investigation Commission. Dur
-tnr that time, said counsel. General
Miles had not communicated the al
legged facts to the responsible officers
nor taken any steps to put stop t1
them. :.