New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-28
GEN. EAGAN'S TRIAL ENDED.
A VERDICT REACHED, BUT NOT MADE
PUBLIC.

SECRETARY A1GER AMONG THE W.T.
NEssEs ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FOR
THE DEFENCE AND PRosEcr-
TON COURSE OF FUR
Their PROCEEDINGS
Washington. Jan 27-The case OF Commits
sary-General Charles =. Eagan, charged with
conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman
and with conduct tending to the prejudice OF
good order and military discipline is now III
the hands of the court-martial appointed TO Try
him. To-day the taking OF testimony was cioseu
and arguments Of counsel were submitted. The
trial lasted three days, and consumed less IMAM
eight hours Of actual sitting. A session behind
closed doors OF an hour or 80 sufiiced for the
Court TO reach a conclusion and embody 1t In a
report What the verdict was IL altogether
matter of speculation, and, officsy at least,
will not be made public by the Court. military
regulations requiring that Its finding shall go
through the prescribed channels and be kept
secret until action Is had and promulgated by
the proper reviewing authorities.
The Court was in executive session for lit
tie over an hour and In this brief space OF time
reached It's conclusions for 1t soon became
known when the doors were reopened that a
verdict had been reached. or. in military par
lance the court martial had made Its findings.
This was confirmed by the announcement from
the Judge-Advocate that the Court had ad-
tourned without day 1t can be recalled only 70
correct fault in the proceedings, which Is
rare occurrence.
or the nature Of the verdict or findings notn-
ing Is known positively outside Of the members
of the court who are under oath to keep the
proceedings secret. This secrecy Is maintained
for all time by the Court but there is nothihg
to prevent reviewing officers from making the
verdict public. though II is also the custom LOT
them TO refrain until the last chapter has been
written and the conclusion Of the Court is ready
to I've officially promulgated
In the regular order the findings and pro-
ceedings must now be carefully gone over by
Judge Advocate Davis. He thought 1t was pos
sible this afternoon to finish his task to-mor-
row or Monday. He will place the papers i'll
the hands Of Judge Acknowledgement LleDe''
whose duty II will be 10 make a carefui OK
animation OF every part OF the record ana Iiiu-
ings with a view TO the detection OF any II
Irregularities In the forms. Presumins 'ha' nv
ends these things regular he will forward the
nannrs TO the Secretary Of War with MS ihdorse
rent If he sees fit to add one, and the latter
according to the form or prac''ce auop''N 80
Secretary Lamont's time.
II is possible for the papers to pass through
tho hands Of General Miles at some stage In
tho proceedings. he acting also in the capacity
of a reviewing authority. but this is not n uni
form, nractice and there was notable eHcep-
ton in the Carter court martial
TIE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COURT.
The first witness before the Eagan court-marual
to-day was David r Mckee. Of this city for many
,,oars the agent Of The Associated Press lie had
known General Eagan for about forty-nVe years
1,he,. were n,mate friends as boys and young men
and the friendship never had been interrupted al
,bo,cb they at times had not seen each other Tor
long intervals During the period between tho time
General Miles gave his testimony BEFORE inc wa
rnvestlgaiisg-. Commission and the day on which
General TAlgan made his statement the witness s'"
him two or three times. He tnen secmeo c'''"''"
and rnffch preoccupicd.
What Impression aid the language ne useo na"'
upon YOU ,.
II was shocked grieved. astonished ana aiarreu
Alarmed, ascause it seemed to me- from my ions
ACQUAINTANCE with him. my knowledge OF MS chaf-
acier M knowledge that he was always courteous
and scrupulously correct in his language NJ had
las. hi, mind NV impression was one Of absolute
,oor and belief that under extraordinary strain
bo had become insane. his remarks we're so utterly
at variance with nls usual language In the ior'S :
FIVE years I have known him. nave never nT'I'
him use coarse word or vulgar ePiihet.
mia Won see General Eacan after he had made
this siatementY'
Yes sir
What took place them?
The prosecution offered no objection, ard The Wit
ness proceeded:
II expressed to General EaGan my profound re-
grct that ne ma given utterance 20 such language.
I spoke 10 him In reproachful manner ior not
sneaIxng 10 me about the matter before n" testihed
and giving me the opportunity to 'hne-penc" MS
statement General Eagan replied In substance
that ho wished he had felt az liberty 10 cohsnt me-
He felt that he was restrained from DONG So ho"
,or ~, account OF tho friendly relations existing
hatr.een myself and General Miles and the latter
family General Eagan said he felt 1t might impair
our relations.