The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-09-10
HISTORY OF THE FAMOUS
CASE OF CAPTAIN CARTER.
Supposed Frands In Collision With Contractors
Amounting to Over Two Millions.

married nfe Was very happy, and he was
implicitly trusted by his Authoritarian. who
gave him q power Of attorney TAR the
transaction OF all his bus.peA
When tho trial OF Capt Carter com
meuced Il was considered . point against
him that In regard 10 certain Of the
charges preferred he should plead the stat
ute Of limitations. Nevertheless, he did
plead II, was sustained by the court, and
was tried only On the occurrences Of the
two years previous to his accusaiion.
X was charged against Carter that he
had = financial interest In the Atlantic
Contracting Company, which wss doing
work for tho government at Savannah. II
Was also charged that he became mssm-
Der OF the Eicaraguan canal commission
solely for the purpose Of securing work
on that canal for The Atlantic company.
Judge Advocate Barr charged that "a total
neut on brush mattresses alone during
three contracts"
Lived High ~ Savannah.
Capt Carriers mode of living was high al
Savannah. bur he always gave explanation
that his money came 70 HIN through his
father-in-lAw. lie kept yacht, which X
was charged cost 81 30 and was paid for
with government money: he was accused
OF having dummies on his pay rolls, Of
owning a quarry from which he took rock
which was sold 10 the government.
The prosecution maintained that over
81. cocoon was stolen by Carter out II money
appropriated for improvements os pubic
waterways.
In reply to the theory Of the defense that
while Capt. Carter was Q rather liberal
spender. his money came all r.ght-that II.
through his rich father -In-law. Mr.. West
cost-col Barr In presenting that branch
OF the case 20 the court said:
This marvellous fathsr-in-.aw, who took
good care Of his dollars, as Mr.. Depew tes-
tilted, Whose affection fer the accused WAS
50 great that he placed his bank account
al his disposal tn do with Il as he saw NJ.
TO check against IL indscr.minately for his
personal expenses and for elfts In large
amounts to members OF his own family; to
leave with him currency TO an unknown
amount. and over 100000 to q safe deposit
company TO draw from at will: whose cou
pons were collected and placed to the
credit OF the accured's personal account:
VINO owned stock and permitted dividend
after dividend To bc paid 20 the accused
this phenomenal father-in-iaw. whose love
and trust were NO great. VIII not come be-
fore this court and swear to the truth OF
tho statements made by the accused that
such an unheard OF and unprecedented
state Of Affairs existed. He would not even
consent 10 give Testimony through deposi-
ton. He is III. he II nervous; his daughter
n Mck.
Col. BaPF's Denanciati0n.
The testimony given by the accused In
his efforts 10 account for the wealth I'm
his possession, as shown by HI personal
account with the Union Trust Company:
10 explain the mystery Of his account as
attorney for X. +. wes,cott. the cabaiistic
accounting on the margin of his check
book. y OF too painful nature to dwell
upon. The court must have freshly In
mind not only thu matter. but the manner
which marked his evidence upon this point
II IL too great task upon human credu-
lily TO AK that credsnce be given to such
tale. There II . more reasonable way OF
accounting for IL. and that IL through the
enormous gains n the Atlantic Contract
Ing Company made enormous through
his connivance.
''The cursed greed for wealth which is
gnawing at the viiais Of every virtue In
all csnters or civilization II one OF the
evils Of our times. Good men have fallen
from lofty heights while influenced by this
greed Hitherto the army has escaped the
blighting Influence OF the fierce struggle
for wealth. Its Officers have rested con-
tent with the enjoyment OF the honestly
earned salaries Of their positions Count
less millions Of money have passed through
breach Of trust"
Should President Mckinley sustain tho
findings 81 the court ma rtiai and the rec
concentrations Of the court Capt. Car
ter will be SENTENCED 10 dismissal from the
army, five years imprisonment and 20 pay
"a fine OF 500, by the unwritten code OF
the army he viii then be In position In
which officer viii ever recognize him.
If he is innocent and his friends appear
20 be numerous his enemies. his case
IL the fouic~s ever written into the annals
OF the army Chicago Times-iIerald.
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