St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-19
GLOSTER GETS BACK,
He Scorches the Wires With
a Hot Message to the
Secretary.
Something Back Of All This
That Will. Bear More
Explanation.
The Amphion Club Gives "Pla-
cida" With a Fine Musi-
cal Prelude.
Singular Ailment OF a Boy
Who Became Blind When
Recumbent.

Army circles, with civilians interested
In the controversy, read with close at
tention the interview with Secretary of
War Proctor given in yesterdays
GLOBE by its Washington correspond
ent, touching the case Of Sergeant
Charles Gloster. 1t was the hasty con-
clusion, based on Secretary Proctor's
story, that this would end Gloster's
case, but the reverse proves to be true:
GlOster said of it:
II am very glad the department has
been reached at last. 1t shows the
power OF newspaper as compared with
That OF an individual. Ii the depart
ment had as freely answered my APP
Deais, the difficulties would have been
cleared away and ] should have had my
commission long ago. The interview,
III correctly reported, shows the falSity
OF the records, and exhibits the fault of
the department in not needing my de-
mand for court of inquiry, where the
original documents could be compared
with those now purporting to have been
filed.''
The sergeant here produced full set
OF certified copies of the hospital rec
0rds, procured at the request of Capt.
frank ID. Baldwin, Company K, Fifth
infantry. 1t is very singular. if Secre-
tary Proctor correctly reported the rec
ordS, that these original documents con-
tam no mention of GloSter'S having
been treated for venereai disease. Clos
ter also exhibited letters written by
Capt. Baldwin to Adjt. Long, of
the same regiment, IN which it
appears that it was current
in the army that Can't. BoutelIe not
m 1It-x In lf.u ~
amining board, but afterward wrote let
tiers to his brother officers, giorifying
himself, in that he kept Gloster out Of
the commissioned ranks. 1t would
Seem that not only is 1t the demand of
justice, but the demand of the disci-
pine and respect of the army that
court of inquiry be ordered, and Capt
BOuteile, Capt. Baldwin and Lieut..
Long he summoned to tell their stories.
There is another very singular and
significant circumstances which seems
to have escaped Secretary Proctor. and
it is probably because he is civilian.
He says GlOSter was all incompetent
soldier, and so reported. Could this he
possible in the light of the facts? Clos
ter was reported as candidate for eX-
animation for promotion as a lieutenant,
and the law requires that to do this he
must be recommended by his immediate
commander, by the regimental COM
mander, and by the department COM
mander. He was recommended by
Capt. Bendiri, of his troop; then by Col.
Grover, Of his regiment. and finally Gen.
Miles, commanding the Departments of
Columbia. 1t does seem excessively
foolish to imagine that such men would
recommend a soldier who was incom-
petent, or that. being incompetent. he
could then be the only one of three who
could pass the rigid departmental ex-
animation, as Gloster did. The iucoIn-
petent story will not answer. Sergeant
Gloster yesterday wired the following:
To Redfield Proctor. Secretary of War,
Washington, d. c.: II you are correctly re-
ported in the. st. Paul GLOBE you have
brutality lied about my hospital record in the
army. If you are man you will publish the
whole of my record and recommendations
and not confine yourself to the so-called evil
derce of those who have stabbed me in the
back. maintain my affidavit against you,
and challenge you to disprove it.
C. GInsrER