The National tribune., 1886-12-23
THE nARNEY CASE.

luere cODlluuee 10 Dt eOLDt lttliuS nanOnS
the comrades over the Dabney matter, and
this is being famed TO the utmost by papers
which win not accept DIR. Dabney's denial
If it were fact that Dabney had been
one Of those murderous little brats Of guards
at Andersonyille, THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
would be the FIRST TO denounce him and to
insist upon his removal IL would regard it
as simply uncomfortable that any one who
was in the remotest degree an accomplice In
those horrors should hold any position under
the Government, much less a place in the
Pension Bureau.
But it has been proved that DIR. Dab
ney had no connection whatever with the
prison or any other military act of the
Southern Confederacy. He has successfully
pleaded the baby act" as they say out
West, and demonstrated that he was too
young 10 he of use TO the rebels when they
were stripping the cradle and the grave"
Even If he had lived in Georgia at the time
we would have been suspicious Of him, for
the rebels stuck up on those little perehes
around the stoSkade about every little brat
in the State who had sense and strength
enough TO aim and fire a musket at pris-
oner Dabney has, however, proved COM
plete alibi showing 10y testimony that has
TO be accepted that he was born in Missis-
sippi raised in New Orleans, and never did
any military duty Of any kind.
Apparently the whole trouble has been
started by his own yearning to boast. He
wanted to pose as the youngest soldier ofthe
Confederacy," and told stories of his having
been tooyoung and small for field service, and
being set to guarding prisoners. He is also
reported TO have told a very sensational story
of his adventures on Confederate gunboat
which was blown up, and how he saved his
life by swimming. The evidence Of those who
have known him from infancy disposes OF
these stories, and he has made a sweeping
denial of their truth over his own signature
which IN itself must he severe punishment
and probably give him much-needed lesson
as TO the advisability of always telling the
truth. He seems to be man of blunt moral
sensiblities, or he would have instinctively
understood how loathsome TO the minds o.
the whole people are all of those who were
in any way connected with the atrocities
practiced upon our prisoners in the hands o.
the rebels.
No possible blame can attach TO Gen
Black or the President for the appointment
When an additional Examiner was wanted
Gen. Black applied, as the law requires
60 the Civil Service Commission and they
certified TO him, as in duty bound, the re
CURED number of names from the State o
Louisiana, whose turn il was TO receive al
appointment From these DIR. Dabneyh
name was selected, because his papers wer'
the most satisfactory. He was also recon
mended by a GAR. official who knew him
Beyond this Gen. Black knew nothing O
him. He received the appointment dis
charged his duties well, and after his pro
baton was appointed TO permanent posi-
ton on the recommendation of his Chief O
Division. No complaint of any kind wa
made of him until he foolishly precipitate
trouble upon himself by his incOnsiderat
chatter.
Upon The charges Of Dabney's having bee
an AndersOnville guard being brought {
Gen. Blacks notice, he took prompt steps
investigate the matter, and, as we hay
/ stated above, found by inGubitable eyidenc
that the man had never done any militar
act Of any kind for the Conlederacy.
Whether there will he any investigator
Of the reports Of his boasts as TO his seryic,
for the Southern Coniederacy, and whethe
if it he found that he has made such boas
and then denied in a letter 10 his olici
superior having rendered such service, sue
fact will be considered reason for furth
action by the Commissioner of Pensions, v
are not advised.
At all events, as they say of a clergyms
who has been found derelict, his usefulne
is greatly impaired"