The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-07-26

Much Indignation Over the Punishment of
the Young Militiaman.
SPECIAL to the Indianapolis Journal
HOMESTEAD, Pa, July 25.-An indirect
result of the shooting of Mr.. Frick gave
Homestead it's one exciting topic to-day.
It was the case of w. l. Iams, private of
Company X, Tenth Regiment, who
shouted: "Hurrah for the man that
did IT," when told of the act of Berg
man. and as q punishment. was strung up
by his thumbs, had one side of his
head and half of his moustache shaved and
was drummed out of camp. In addition to
this disgrace the sentence carries with it dis
honorable discharge from the National
Guard and denial of the right to enlist in
the federal army and the rights Of citizen
ship.
The lams case threatens to become ma
tiOnal. Homestead people talk of nothing
else. Eveu the return of Hugh O'Donnell.
after his release from prison, was subordi-
mated by it. Letters and kilograms. de-
nouncing the treatment of the young
man; have been received in Home
stead, in Pittsburg, and by the
Governor of Pennsylv One of the
protests to Governor Pattison was from the
Washington correspondents of Pennsylva-
MIA asking for the removal of Lieutenant
colonel Streator. who ordered the punish
ment of Iams. Whom Colonel Streator
was told of this tonight he said If these
correspondents came over to his camp and
made any such IRRESPONSIBLE remarks as
those made by Iams. he would treat them
In the way he had treated Iams.
Young lams threatens to bring suit
against Colonel Streator and Major general
Snowden, but this 10 by no means the most
serious aspect of the case If the reports be
true. Members of the Tenth Regiment are
K, to which 1ams belonged, will have to
be disbanded, because Its men do not
intend to re-enllst after their present terms
of enlistment Several Tenth Regiment
mon made this statement to- United Press
was not popular. but that they wish 10
show their disapproval OF his punishment
by leaving the militia.
Officers Of the troops almost generally
approve Colonel Streator's action. Col.
Case. of the Fourth Regiment. told his
men that if any of them indulged in any
jabilatiOn over bergman's crime he would
treat them the same way. But il
Colonel Case had heard the express
sions of some of his soldiers to q
press representative no would have dis
covered that they did not share his opinion
In approving the humillstlng punishment t
accorded private lsms. They condemned
lamS6 romaEk. OUT Lu6y LQOugQt tllS
punishment brutal and outrageous
Inc most interesting feature in the case
Is whether corporal punishment can be in
ticted on soldier in militia camp under
any circumstances. even when martial law
is III force. and whether q sentence such as
that passed on lams could be legally ex-
ecutcd without the formality of q court
martial
General Snowden was asked by the re-
porter night w neither court martial b sd
been held. He said that his understanding
was that lams had been convicted by such h
o tribunal. He would not express an
opinion as to the justness of the punish
ment That was matter, he said
within Colonel Streator's jurisdiction.
Colonel Hawkins, the provisional
brigadisr, admitted that no court-martial
was held because lams had acknowledged
his guilt AT q meeting of the advisory
committee tonight IL was stated that in
formation had been received that MEM
bers of the Ninth Regiment of the Ma
tional Guard from Wilkesbarre had been
granted furloughs to work in the Carnegie
mills at Homestead. A letter said 10 have
been found on the streets addressed to
William Lawrence. Company A. Eighth
Regiment. and containing q Pinkerton
agency salary blank, was produced at the
meeting.