The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-23
The Carter Case.

In reply to insinuations that the de-
lay in announcing sentence in the case
of Captain Carter, the officer of the
engineering corps convicted of de-
frauding the government in the sum
of nearly $2,000,000 while superintend-
ing construction work in Savannah
harbor, was inspired by the wish to
permit Carter's bondsmen to shield
themselves behind the statute of limi-
tations. Attorney General Griggs, to
whom the entire evidence has been re-
ferred by the president for examina-
tion, says:
"The case involves an immense amount
of testimony and argument and ever
since the adjournment OF congress | have
been giving ii every moment of my spare
time. l have taken the papers with me
to my home, and even on the railroad
cars at night. when l ought to be asleep,
l have been engaged upon them. The
president has given me the very re-
sponsible task of determining whether or
not Captain Carter has been justly or un-
justly dealt with, and propose to make
thorough inquiry. | can, therefore,
only report progress, although this does
not seem to satisfy the newspapers that
are clamOring for an immediate decision.
The Supreme court frequently takes
months, not to say years, in deciding
question, and no criticism is made of its
delay"
But ii Is said that I'm this case the
statute of limitations will apply if no
action Is taken by next month"
THAT is not true" was the answer
THE conspiracy to defraud the gov
brnment, II there was a conspiracy be-
In INNiW
Under the law, however, each contnu-
ing act is part of conspiracy, and
overt acts occurred up to August or
September 1897. Consequently another
year must elapse before the statute of
limitations can be successfully pleaded
{ am frank to say, though, that even if
the statute did become operative at this
time ! would not give a judgment on
the case Until | had thoroughly con-
vinced myself that the judgment was an
aonest and accurate one, no matter how
eng II might take me to arrive at a de-
.isiOn.
"There is one thing in this matter that
has been overlooked" concluded the at
torney general. 1.-THE contractors have
lied a suit In the court of claims for
certain money alleged to be due. The
government has merely to file a counter
claim for money alleged TO have been
illegally paid, and the whole case can be
opened. ] have three strings by which
We can hold these people, II guilt is es-
ablished-first, the sentencing of Can
ain Carter; second, the statute OF lin
tations is still open, and third, a coun-
ter suit can be entered In the court of
,lams."
This explanation was scarcely neces-
Iary. Few persons believed that any
gn0ble motive lay behind the delay
IN concluding this case. Captain Car
ter II the first officer of tho engineering
corps since that corps was Instituted
TO be convicted ON court martial OF
Wholesale and deliberate fraud. Not
withstanding that the corps has super
vised disbursements in the aggregate
running into the hundreds of millions
~ dollars, this is the first serious
charge Of collusion brought home tc
one of Its members. Carters friends
are not only numerous and respectable
out they are emphatic in upholding his
innocence. JUST to him as well as
to the service therefore requires thai
before proceeding to pass sentence the