The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-26
GENERAL sNOwnENS REPORT.
Pennsylysnia's Militia Commander Reviews
Stirring Events at Homestead.

HARRISBURG, Pa. Dec. 25.-Major- gener-
al Snowden, division commander of the
National Guard, has submitted his annual
report to the Adjutant-general. Consider
able space Is devoted 20 the Homestead
affair. lie reviews the calling out
of the troops. the concentration near
the scene of trouble and the success
of the movement General Snowden says:
"1here is no doubt that the presence OF so
large force, SO startling III it's sudden and
unex pected appearance. preserved that
part of the State. perhaps the country at
large from disturbances such as We have
not heretofore witnessed. and the First
Brigade contributed it's full share"
Referring to the service at Homestead.
he says: "The good faith of the Amalga-
mated Association might we'll be doubted.
While all open resistance ceased, their
scouts Withdrawn, the censorship of the
press stopped and the false government
erected by them came to an end. yet for
some time they kept up their system of in
timidatiop. Large crowds assembled sud-
de My and as promptly dispersed, but not
without abuse and insult heaped upon the
sol diers. That these affronts were borne
with forbearance and with such discretion.
self possession and. striot obedience to or
ders by so great number of the troops
Is worthy of the highest praise"
The Major-Reneral crlticizes events prior
to his arrival at Homestead, but doub If
the sheriff could have raised posse equal
in numbers or in physique to the opposi-
tion. Of the 1ams episode says: THE
admirable military spirit displayed BY all
the troops. S,615 In number. was kept up
throughout except by one man, Iams, of
the Tenth. Ihe attempted ASSASSINATION
tumult IN Pittsburg and some apprehension
in camp. Guards were doubled and Colonel
Hawkins in particular was notified to be
the alert. Iams jumped mp and called
for Three cheers Tor the men who killed
Frick.' Mr.. Frick was no more to the troops
than any of tho other citizens but the act
was done IL sympathy with riot and an.
nrchy. In the state of war then prevail
ing. as since laid down by tho Chief
Justice, Iamss act was mutiny and treason.
fed in using heroic measures IT necessary,
upon the spot; In fact an officer failing
to repress mutiny is liable TO severe
penalty. Iems would not explain or apollo:
gize for his conduct In face of
imperative necessity TO enfore discipline,
which seemed to admit no delay for
court-martial trial which might have put
on Iams the most extreme sentence, and
Streator imposed upon the man a penalty,
of which tho severity has been greatly
overstated. If the punishment. although
often inflicted, in war, may be said to
be unusual. the circumstances were
extraordinary. Now that IL is
proper to express an opln-
ion, he has no hesitation In
saying that Iams was punished according
to the customs of war and no more than he
deserved. fire. brand is no more dan GER
Gus in o powder magazine than q mutineer
Or traitor IN the ranks lt was necessary
to get him out OF camp at once. for ms
presence might lead to open sympathy OF
perhaps opposition to his confinement. It
Is q source of great qualification to know
that the course pursued by Colonel
Streator and Hawkins has been fully VIM
dicated in a court of law and that the le-
gality OF the division commanders order
was sustained by the honorable judge who
tried the case"