The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-01
4 yUsr SENTENCE.

post at Waila Walla, to take steps to pre-
vent the lynching Of gambler Hunt, under
arrest for killing one of the soldiers of
Compton's command, has been mercifully
treated by the president, who has COM
muted his sentence. The cout found him
guilty and sentenced him to suspension
from rank and command for three years
on half pay, and that he be confined TO the
limits of the military post The president
has approved the proceedings Of the court,
but mitigated the sentence to suspension
from rank and command on half pay for
two years.
The courts original sentence was not .
bit too severe. but the president took into
consideration the gallant service rendered
by Colonel Compton during the war of the
rebellion, and tempered justice with
mercy. The original sentence of the court
would have probably been dismissal from
the service had regular army officer OF
West Point training and equal length OF
service been guilty of so gross neglect OF
duty.
An example of severity was needed, and
the army court and the president have
done their duty by the public. 1t is bad
enough to see justice Knocked by mob law
in consequence of the cowardice or infl-
deity of state sheriffs, but the spectacle OF
q military garrison being allowed to be-
come q successful lynching party, despite
the ample warning given the commanding
officer of the mood of his men, was most
shocking. If the despotic powers of
colonel are not sufficient, when earnestly
invoked to keep his men in camp under
such dangerous circumstances, why then
army discipline and authority is nothing
but . uniformed farce and epauletted
efigy.
From the first it was clear that Colonel
Compton was either grossly incompetent
for his position when he failed to perceive
that he could not afford to risk the honor of
the service by any possible neglect of pre-
caution, or he was worse than incompetent
The was unprincipled enough to wink at
the lynching of a gambler who had MUIR
dered one of his command. Neither the
court or the. public believe that Colonel
Compton desired that his soldiers should
lynch Hart, but the public believed that
he was guilty of gross neglect of his duty
that was fraught with criminal conse-
quences and inflicted burning disgrace
upon the army.
The sentence of the court shows that
their judgment agrees with that of the
public. 1t is fortunate for the service that
Colonel Compton is comparatively near
the age of retirement, for the presence of
such officers is of no value to the service.
Whatever may have been his youthful
merits Colonel Compton stands today
type representative of those army hulks
who have survived their usefulness for ac-
tive service.
So long as we had good deal of Indian
warfare the stress of hardship, danger and
responsibility kept army officers of rank in
high state of efficiency, but with the ex-
ception of General Miles comparatively
bloodless campaign last year against
the Sioux we have had no In
dian campaigning of consequence
since the Nez Perez war of 1877,
and during these fifteen years of profound
peace the average army officer of the age
of Colonel Compton is more likely to
degenerate than improve with inactivity.
His life at an army post is generally in
dolent, unless he is naturally man of
strong intellectual tastes, or superlative
mental and physical energy. Heis too old
for much exertion beyond the perfunctory
daily duties of his rank; he sometimes
fishes and hunts little. plays whist,
INDUCES in scamp fire" military reminis-
cences, eats his breakfast, looks for
ward with pleasurable anticipation to
his dinner, and such life
is not stimulating to energy of
mind or body. 1t is favorable to the
growth of the officer in the graces of good
nature, hospitality and social talent, but
it is generally fatal to soldierly vigilance
and rigorous discipline.
Colonel Compton is not an exception
ally incompetent officer; there are doubt
less other officers of his age and expert
ence who would have been just as care
less and just as contemptuous of the ample
warning he received, and who need the
example of his punishment to rouse them
out of the lethargy to the recognition of
their grave responsibility for the conduct
of the men of their commands.
The whole Walla Walla affair was most
disgraceful to all the responsible authori-
ties. both civil and military. The sheriff
was clearly unfit for his position. Had he
acted with courage and energetic determi-
nation to defend his prisoner the lynching
party could have been successfully re-
sisted. His cowardice was clear, unless
we assume that he did not care whether
his prisoner was lynched or not. A CON-
munity with an incompetent or unfaithful
sheriff, with military post commanded
by an incompetent colonel, is a commu-
nifty afflicted with the spectacle of the
mockery of both civic and military JUS
tice.