Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-04
|GAYhOR- GREENE TRIAL
Sterley Proved a Good Witness
at Savannah.
UNSHAKEN IN TESTIMONY
Condemned Carriers Methods of Con-
Quoting Engineering Work.
C0MPLIMENTED BY THE COURT
Judge Speer's Significant Remarks to
the Jury Prior to Adjournment
Until Monday.
C0MPL1MENTED BY THE COURT

Session Oh the Ieuefal court IN the case
against Greene and Gaynor. This was J.
w. o. Sterley whose familiarity with dates
and other information regarding river and
harbor contracts and improvements was
shown to be SO intimate as to call forth
| comment from the court touching the
excellent memory of the witness.
Mr.. Sterley was questioned closely by
both the district attorney and counsel for
the accused. He was mistaken in his at
titude Of condemnation of methods that
were followed by Capt. Carter In the ad-
mnistration of his office as director of
engineering work. The witness was chief
clerk under Capt Carter and his imme-
date predecessor and he retained the post
under succeeding heads Of the Savannah
district
The evidence related almost exclusively to
the advertisement for proposals upon the
big contract of 1896 for the Savannah har-
Dor, the governments contention being
that Carter for the benefit of himself and
Greene and Gaynor adopted methods that
tended to the elimination of all other con-
tracts and the consequent assuring of the
big enterprise to Greene and Gaynor.
Contracts Admitted as Evidence.
The table of contracts for river and har-
Dor work granted from the Savannah Of
flee OF the engineering department. show
ing the time that each contract was ad-
yertised. was admitted as evidence today
upon resumption of the Greene and Gay
nor case In the federal court here
District Attorney Erwin then read the act
appropriating large sums for the improve
ment of Savannah harbor directing atten-
ton to its provisions that the expenditures
be made economically and to the best ad-
vantage of the government Army regula-
tons were quoted to show that advertise
ments for contracts should run for thirty
days, as a general rule Mr.. Erwin said he
would show that Carter made it his general
rule to have his advertisements run for
about l4teen days his purpose being to shut
out competition.
Interrogated by Mr. Osborne for the de-
Tense, Mr.. Sterley said the advertisement
for the jetty work on the contract for
81, 10000 In 1892 appeared for the second
time that year, and it was upon this second
appearance that it ran less than thirty
days. Mr.. Osborne also asked that the
jury be shown the certificates of ADVERTISE
ments as submitted by Carter to the chief
engineers, showing the time each advertise
ment ran, and thereby indicating that Car
ter had nothing to conceal regarding the
advertisements, and did conceal nothing.
Telegrams from Carter to his confidential
clerk. Michael A. Connolly, instructing Con-
nelly to advertise for bids, were read
They were from Washington and New
York. respectively. and were dated August
10, 1896 Connolly was directed to date the
advertisements June 6. 1896, and let them
show that the proposals would be opened
September S, 1895. The district attorney
said this was done by, Carter In order to
create the impression IN the minds of the
readers that the advertisement had been
running from June g.
Upon this point Mr.. Osborne Intercepted
Mr.. Sterley, bringing out what counsel con-
strued as reasons justifying the date there
having been delays on the approving of
specifications
Judge Speer's Remarks to Jury.
On adjournment until Monday Judge Speer
said in part:
Gentlemen of the jury: 1t is most i'm
portant that both you and 1 should every
day strive fully to realize the importance
OF arduous labor in which We are en-
gagged.
1--WE must realize that this prosecution,
II proper, is intended not only to bring the,
accused to justice, If they are convicted
conformably to law, but for the protec-
ton of the large sums gathered from the
people by taxation and placed in the hands
of the disbursing officers of the government
or other trust officers
Profiigacy in the misuse OF unlawful d.
version of public funds as much perhaps
as any other one cause, has contributed to
the downfall OF nations, even the most
prosperous. Especially important in these
days when such vast expenditures are be-
ing made for the public welfare Is the
Jauieiai piosectioh dlorded py courts ana
JurfeS the public treasury. Think for a
moment OF the enormous sums appropriated
for the construction of the Panama canal,
for public buildings, for adj sorts Of pub
lie improvements.
mot less important Is your protection or
the accused in their constitutional rights TO
a thorough investigation and an impartial
trial. These, indeed, are as essential to the
public welfare as the protection of the pub
lie money or any other duty of government.
Now / know this task which has fallen to
your lot is laborious and painful 1t is
particularly hard for you to be away from
your homes at this season of the year.
st Is hard on all of us. You must how
ever, think of the patriotic and conspicuous
character of the service to the entire coun-
try we are called upon to perform.
eff we are thus animated to the end OF
the trial we may be sure OF q righteous re-
suit which will receive the appreciation OF
our consciences and country as long aswe