The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-29
SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 1000
THIRTY PAGES.
EXIT, THE CARTER CASE,

Friday evening, slBnluCant udys tHoAo
entered the military prison at Fort Leav-
enworth. Kansas, and donned the convict
uniform and changed his identity to mo.
2094," a late petted darling Of society,
man of wealth, OF fine social connections,
and, what is still more. OF cultivated In
tellect and superior ability among his old
associates.
The man was Captain oberlin NJ. Garter.
late OF the United States army-and thus
one OF the celebrated cases" OF recent
years is finished SO far as the public is
concerned 1t is a pathetic circumstance
to see fall SO great, but 1t is encourage
ing to know that justice can yet the
most brilliant and the most powerful OF
malefactors.
This man had reached an enviable posi-
tion for almost any man. He was regard
ed as one of the brightest officers in an
army noted for its capable men. lie was
genial and immensely popular. He had
the polish OF manner that comes from as
ISOLATION with the most cultured people
and an extensive travel abroad. His fam
lily was rich and his friends influential.
Comparatively young a distinguished
career was predicted for him in the SER
vice OF his government.
What more could he wish? What temp
tation imaginable could be strong enough
to lead such a man from his duty and
above all into the sordld crimnalty OF
embezzlement Of public funds? And yet
he fell! His populations in conspiracy with
he was detailed to oversee or superintend
az Savannah, mounted up into the millions.
A court martial composed of brother Of
ticers, naturally biased in his favor and
anxious to shield the service from such a
disgrace II possible. were compelled unan-
tmously under their oaths and condolences
10 find him guilty and impose heavy
sentence, carrying with 1t dismissal from
the army and imprisonment i'm the penl-
Tertiary.
But there was to be still more sensa-
tional feature to this case--the ill-dis-
guised disposition of the president and
former wal secretary to delay the execu-
ton OF the sentence, or modify It to such
an extent as TO rob It OF its worst sting,
Where only weeks are usually allowed to
intervene between the finding and final
approval of such sentences, here months
passed. The culprit continued to enjoy
his freedom. TO wear his uniform and
draw his pay The most powerful lnGu-
ances were ouIativ hut actively wort,ing In
his behalf
Then came the indignant protests OF the
Nations press against such apparent fay-
oritism toward social and official pet,
The storm OF criticism broke upon The
war department, the attorney generals
department, the president. concealment,
delay, favoritism, were no longer possible
lat last but nearly two years from the
conviction the court martial's sentence
was affirmed.
When Captain Carter stepped across the
threshold OF the Leavenworth prison Fri
day 1t was melancholy sight The pub
lie could pity him: 1t could gaze upon his
humiliation without show OF harsh feel
from congratulatlng itself that there is still
power left In tho press as the exponent Of
public opinion to force those high In au.
thority to do their duty and esehew favor.
itlsm. Not always can this be done; bu
that sometimes and even in consplcuou!
instances 1t is done. is illustrated in thil
case In question.