The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-23
ENGINEERS AMI CAPT. CARTER.
conservative Comment ON the Amer.
ican Court-Martial Verdict.
New York Times

INV lOIh lIlCC.
The current issue of Engineering News
will contain an article concerning tne case
OF Captain Carter" that must attract Woe
spread attention, not oniy because OF lS
publication In q journal devoted 10 the IN
Ieresis OF the profession with when Capt.
Oberlin NJ. Carter was identiled; put also
because or the th~oroughneSs anu ieaIlsssS
ness with which IL reviews the Progress Oh
the case and the positiveness with WnlSh
IL adopts as Just the judgment OF tne
martial. Alter "A comprenen sive outline OF
the history OF the case down TO the present
I'VE nave closely followed the course or
this remarkable case from the outset. We
earnestly hoped and confidently expecteo
that Captain Carter would succeed IN wnohy
generating himself from the charges
against him lie has not done so. however:
and from all the study we have given 10
the evidence We see no reason Whatever 70
question the correctness and justice or tne
court-martial's decision"
The most important thing TO be accom-
plished. in the opinion of the writer IN hn-
Carter is a renewed respect Tor ndenty 70
trusts. The whole fabric OF business oe-
pends upon absolute insistence upon a strict
regard Tor this principle by engineers IN
charge of public works. Neither such work
as that alleged to have been done In Savan-
nah nor that on the state canals can be IN
Inherently passed by after fraud mas oeen
discovered IN the conduct of IL without en-
Gonragi ne f one a gsiI the discrediting Of hon
esty and honorable effect.
AS TO the conduct of the Carter trial II
asserts Ildl III ndS a a LaiA
Ito show clean hands as could be given
him in any court In the land. The LIE, I'D
ersy and honor or1n,, Of any n s hSne q boaR of ore picked salea
men as sat In his court-martial than before
a Jury in any civil court IN the country
dent down. can gain the insight into the
case obtained by the officers who devoted
their time and their minds exclusively 10
Coming from an engineering journal OF
prominence. naturally inclined TO shield
an engineer officer about whose guiit II
could cherish a doubt, the lines In the
article expressing the opinion that the court
was free from prejudice are interesting ana
striking. 1t says:
pose that anything of this sort influenced
the decision in this case. Captain Carter 10
through the service and out of it were
legion. His frank, open manner and genial
| presence drew men TO him everywhere. he
save himself and those who put temptation
in his way. For this reason the task or
those who have been faithful to their, trust
The influence. personal. social and political.
which has gone into the defense OF this
case in Washington. New York and savan-
nah has been without precedent 1t gives
one a feeling Of pride and confidence In hie
fellow-men to find that In the face Of all
this this case case % have been faithful in the ais
charge Of their trust and answering In
their determination to further the ends or
Justice"
There is not a line to indicate any doubt
| of the guilt Of Captain Carter. No reason
is found for Withholding the sentence OF this
would be more difficult I'm a civil court TO
| prove conspiracy than II was in the Carter
court-martial, and considers IL fortunate
| that in this case there was machinery avail
| able to discover and determine guilt that
would not nave been found I'm the civil
courts. Captain Carter Is advised TO save
| the remnant OF his honor" by making a
| clean breast OF his wrongdoink. to aid I'm
the punishment Of those who led him astray
and to take his punishment like a man and
| a soldier"