The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-12-12

THERE is q good deal OF comment in Army
circles the action Of the reviewing authorities
number Of coiirt-martlal cases, ana especially
the action Of the President In recently pro-
mulgated in orders from the Headquarters OF the
Army. President Hayes stated some time ago that
the conviction Of an oicer for Drunkenness would DO
regarded a certain for dismissal. That de-
cison was perfectly proper In order to keep up the
morale and character Of tile Army. But 1t seems
that much depends upon who tho officer is 30 for as
carrying out sentence IL concerned as ~ indicated
by the action In two recent cases. and in which rank
Injustice was done by the overriding and setting aside
OF the verdict OF the court martial In 1870 an ap-
pointment was made In tho Pay Department OF the
Army OF gentleman. Major W. r.. Creary, who had
just retired from n fat once In the Senate Of the
United States In less than year after his appoint
ment lie was tried by cOurt-martial and convicted
Of the most dsgraceful conduct. Ho was stationed
In Arizona, and tho charges against him drunk
ennsss; riding through the streets Of Tucson with
lewd women; drinking with private soldiers resist
Ing ocers military and civil which resulted IN his
being locked up In the common caaboose. The sen
tence OF tue COURT martial dismissal from the SER
| vice. The accused did not deny his guilt. But he
plead his former good conduct while In the volunteer
service during the Civil War. lie had political iniu-
to back him. and the result Of the brought
to bear upon tho President that the sentence was
commuted to suspension from duty for one
year with loss OF half his pay during that
| time. Ills former military record. which he
plead. was as follows; Private In Company y,
| Third Michigan Volunteers. May 10, 1861; trans
ferrod W Veteran Reserve Corps October 10, 1863
discharged June 10, isG% Joined the corps again June
10, 1884, and served Until August 20. 1885, lie wa,
appointed paymaster june rs, 1873. The other ease
referred TO that Of Captain James T. Peae OF ths
| Second Cavalry. Here Is Captain Psae's record:
| Second lieutenant 0f Fourth Pennsylvana Cavalry
March ~, 1862; captain June o. 1862; major Sep
| tember 0, 1884, lieutenant colonel OF volunteers 10y
breyet March 10. 1855, for gallant and mertoriou,
"services during the war, and particularly In III,
engagement at wyatt's station, va.;" mustered
| out July 4. 1895: appointed second Lieutenant OF
Second Cavalry February 20. 1864; nrst lieutenant
July rs, 1860, and captain March q, 1870. He ha'
served the frontier for years lie was tried by
court martial for appearing before his commanding
oneer In intoxicated condition, after he had beei
detailed as officer OF the day, and that he was from
conduct unbecomiug an onicer aud gentleman be-
cause ho had violated pledge TO abstain from drink
Ing. Captain Peale was convicted and sentenced I,
DO dismissed tho service The sentence confirmed
by President Hayes, In spite Of this ofcers excellent
record tits the glaring injustice shown Wy the
parisop OF the two sases that disguss the Army. The
about as naxrant Of disgraceful drunk
enness as could DO Imagined the other o compare
tiyoly venial Yet the worst offender gets of,
while the other, with better previous record tt
appeal TO, Is driven from the Army indisgraco. Re-