The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-26
The Moral of the Reno Inquiry.

Washington dispatches announce that the
military Court Of Inquiry into the conduct
OF Major Reno Of the Seventh United States
Cavalry during the battle in which Gen.
CUSTER met his death, has arrived at n de-
cision. This decision, according to the
despatch, is understood to be that 1.-THE
inquiry has not adduced evidence against
him which would warrant trial by court
martial" This statement, without explana-
ton, would seem to imply that Major RENO
is cxoneratcd by the evidence. whereas such
is by no means the fact.
The fact is that, under army regulations,
q court martial cannot be ordered TO try an
officer or soldier for any offence, however
fragrant, after the expiration OF Two years
from the commission Of the decd The RENO
Court OF Inquiry was ordered for Jan. -,
1879, while the battle Of the Little Big Horn
was fought June 2j 1876. Thus the statute
OF limitations was sure TO save Reno from
dismissal, no matter what the evidence
against him; and the only obIeckt hat could
be suhserved by the Court of Inquiry at the
Palmer House, Chicago, was to give holt
day to four officers ON the court and dozen
or SO more as witnesses, at an expense to
the taxpayers of several thousand dollars,
worse than wasted. For the ends Of justice
the court was useless, and its ordering was
mere mOckcry az public opinion on any
theory save that a a deliberate whitewash.
The very worst that the court could do
against Major EsNo was to examine closely
into tho facts AID give an uniavorablc opin-
ion as to his conduct during the battle. The
| first has beop done, and the last may yet he
done Whether such an opinion, however
true, would be likely to drive this officer in-
to resignation, is matter Of conjecture. ite
has already been dismissed the service once,
for an offence subsequent 10 the battle OF
1876, and Mr.. HAYES has been prompt 10
save him for the army. No one can DRIVE
him O1t for his conduct in the CUsTEl
massacre. Even Mr.. HAYES, were ho tho
most lawful OF Presidents, could not do III
and no more can Congress. UnloSs he re-
sigus, which he is hardly likely 80 90, look
ing at his past record, he is saddtcd ON tho
army for life, or at all events til Congress
socs fit to reduce or abolish The force d
which he IL an ornament.
They manage these things oE strict Ring
principles at Washington. II might seen
Chat the best way to deal with Major RFNt
you'd hnyo been to try him in 1876, whili
events were stlll fresh in tie minds Of wit
resscs aud WHOM il lac were guilty, h'
might have boon legally punished. Blu
such n course, while il would have cut out
plague-spot from the army, would ais
nave exposed 70 view many ugly facts nj
lcJi.nG the Military Ring. II was though
best 10 hush up the CUSTER matter, AM
hlshod up il has been, though with indit
! ,rrnut success The moral OF the RENO In
Ne-tigation, ms a guido 10 young officers. 4
therefore plain: "Gnutlomnn. if YOU ST.
yoW commanding onieer in a tight plac
ami can save your owa stin by abandoning
him, do it by all means il you are quite sur
he will never get oil alive. Should ie,
dozen Of your ieiiOw alllacrs die with hin