The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-03
Chronology Of
The Carter Case

Inc ldPIeP ldSe
Here is the extraordinary record OF twist, turn
and sQuirm III the of Captain Obcrlin NJ.
Carter, late Of the United States engineers, who
was the first officer Of the engineering corps TO
disgrace his uniform by cheating his country
that had educated and honored him. Carter is
at last in prison. where he belongs; but the
civilians who shared in his thcfts are still at
large and defiant:
1850. May 31.-Sworn statement madc by w. II.
Curtis. assistant engineer in the government
employ, charging Carter with coluSion with
certain contractors (thc same with whom lis
conspiracy was proven before the court martial
nine years latcr). An investigation was held,
Carter was cXonerated, and the unfortunate en-
Ginocr who was too honest to hold his tongue,
died from disappointment and mortifCation at
the fruitless Outcome of his endesvor to protect
his country from robbery.
1897, August l4.--Captain G.. NJ. Gillette who
succeeded Captain Carter in charge of the SaN an
nah district on July 20, reported to the chief Of
engineers his discovery OF irregularities in the
conduit Of the Savannah harbor work.
1897, Aug 2l.-Gci erh p. c. llains, division
engineer, instructed to proceed TO Savannah and
conduct investigation.
1897, Sept. 7.-(:eneral llains made a report ur.
favorable to Captain Carter, the whole matter
was laid before the secretary of war, and Captain
Carter, then in London, was ordered TO report at
Washington.
1897, SCpt. ia board of engineer officers,
Colonel Gillespie, Major Raymond and Major
Adams was convened at Savannah to inquire into
the charges against Captain Carter.
1867, Nov. 13.-Board of engineers presented
its report recommending that Captain Carter he
tried by court martial. The examination ot the
board was most thorough, occupying nearly two
months. A great number of witnesses were OK
amined and the entire record of the inquiry was
over 1000 pages in length.
1897, Nov. 15.--RCport of board Of engineers re-
ferrcd TO judge advocate generals office for OK
animation and preparation os formal charges
1897, Dec. Court martial ordered to meet
at Savannah, on Jan. -, for the tiial OF Carter
1897, Dec. 20.-Copy of formal charges and
specifications transmitted TO Carter.
1908, Jan. 11.-Captain Carter placed under ar
rest.
1898, Jan. 12.-Trial by court martial begun.
1895. April 30.-,omt martial adjourned, and
its findings reported to secretary of war; Rec
ord submitted to Judge. advocate general
1898. July 3.--Judge advocate general reported
to secretary of his approval OF the findings
of the court martial
1898, July l2.-Record and findings submitted
by secretary of war to Hon. George i. Edmunds,
with requests for opinion.
1898, Oct. s.-Report and opinion of Edmunds
delivered to secretary of war,
1893. Oct. 2i.-Record submitted by secretary
OF war to President Mckinley.
---, ----. Matter referred by the president
to Attorney. General Griggs.
-. -. Attorneys for Carter submitted
an argument and brief TO attorney general.
1892 May 13.-Colonel Thomas +. Barr, assist
ant judge-advocate. .genral, L. s. A., made formal
reply to. the statements of Cartcrs attorneys.
1922 June 2O.-Bref in defense Of Captain Gar
ter submitted to attoney'gehcral by Wayne Mac
Veagh.
lS99 Sept. 27.-Final oral plea for Carter made
by MacVcagh.
1890 Sept. .-Attorncy-Gcncral Griggs re-
ported to the president his opinion that Carter
had been proved guilty on the principal charges
against him.
1899. Oct. 1--Presidcnt Mckinley approved
findings and sentence Of court martial. Captain
Carter placed in prison Governors Island.
1892 Oct 3.-Carter's attorneys obtained writ
Of habeas corpus claim that both fine and
imprisonment cannot be imposed for the same
| offense.
1899, Oct 4.-IIabeas corpus case argued before
| Judge Lacombc.
1899. Oct. 24--Judge Lacombe rendered deer.
| sion denying writ Appeal taken to United
| States Court OF Appeals.
1899. Nov. Wayne McVeagh made plea to
| the president for cominntatlon OF carter 5 SCH
| tcnCc.
| 1900. Jan. a.-Carter's appeal argued before
United States Circuit Court Of Appeals
1900, Jan. 2i.-Court of Appeals affirmed deci.
| sion Of Judge LaCombc.
1900, Feb. 1.-Pctition for writ OF ccrtiorari
| made to United States Supreme court by Car.
| ter's attorneys.
1900, Feb. s.--Court Of Appeals granted stay of
execution Of Carter's sentence pending action
| OF Supreme court.
| 1900, Feb 27.--Suprcmc court refused petition
Of Carters attorneys who obtained a writ Of
eror returnable before United States Supreme
| court March 20.
1900, April 9.--Pettion for writ Of error argued
| before United States Supreme court; and later
| refused.
| Proceedings in the Case Of the Contractors
| 1909, Dec. S.-Federal Grand Jury at Savannah,
| Ga, indicted r. j. Greene, John +. Gaynor, Ed
ward H. Gsynor, William r. Gaynor, NJ. A. Con.
molly and Obcrln NJ Carter on the charge of
conspiring to defraud the government, the same
| charge on which Captain Carter was found guilty
| by court martial.
1899, Dec. 1I.-Indictcd Iartcs except Con.
| molly, surrendered themselves in New York to
| United States Commissioner Shields, bail was
accepted, and Dec. % set for examination.
1899. Dec. 23.-lIearing before Commissioner
Shields adjourned one week by agreement Of
| counsel. Adjournment currently reported TO be
TO enable John r, Gayror to take a wedding
| journey.
| 1899, Dec. 30.-Examination begun before Com
missioner Shields. Adjourned 10 Jan. 3, Con,
tinued on Jan. and 4. Adjourned on latter
| date 10 Jan. l6.
| 1900, Jan. 16, Il, IS l0.-Procecdinss continued
before Commissioner Shields. Adjourned on last
| date TO Jan. "a,
1900, Jan. 2I-Proceedings resumed, adjourn
ment taken 10 Jan. o.
1900, Jan. 27.-Proccedings resumed, but wit
nesses for defence not ready ana case adjourned
| to Feb. ].
1900. Feb. 1.--ESamination of witnesses con
| cluded.
1900, Feb ., 3.-Summing up of counsel beior,
| Commissioner Shields.
1900 Feb. 1O.--Commssioner Shields decided
there was probable cause" to hold the indicted
persons
1900 Feb. lS,-Application for warrant fol
removal Of indicted persons TO Savannah mad'
TO Judge Brown, in United States District court
Feb. II set for hearing Of arguments on appli
| cation.
1900, April 3.-Fcdoral grand jury at Savannah
] made formal pTesentmcnt calling attention o