Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-08-18
MILITIA MATTERS.
Private FANS Punishment At Home
sttnd DiscuSs,d.-Army
Discipline.

The following letter now In the
hands OF Governor Thomas explains
itself.
TO the Ajjutant General, Capital,
Salt Lake Guy, Utah;
ST.-The pfest, the public, aud
particularly militia men, have dis
cussed ut length the recent cruel pun
ishmeut OF private Of the Nation !
Guard Of Penney lvauin, who was aus.
ben led by the tbumba until hc tainted,
by order OF his commanding officer,
Lieutenant. Colonel Sireator.
Nothing has occurred Of late years
which Will do No much 10 ipJute the
militia o. the county as this act OF
LJlluel StrustoL because lis effect
viii be to deter men from entering the
service, anu many who are now en-.
li-tVi will eudeavOr 10 sever their con-
roctiOn with an organization which.
while they are connected With II,
renders them liable, In cases Of
breaches Of military law, TO he pun.
ished inhumanly, most uogradlngly
anu illegally.
Il is true, and generally admitted,
that the act vi the Private iams, II NOT
mutiny, was at least conduct To the
prejudice OF good order anu military
discipline, and should have been sum
marty punished. He should have
been promptly tried 10y court-martipl;
hut no oourt.martial would have sen.
fenced him 10 the punishment Inflicted
by orders Of Colonel Strcator
The legal rights aud powers OF every
member of the militia should be clearly
defined. These rights AMI power
ought to he alike throughout the Unilel
States. Under the present system
zach State has Its own military organ.
iLalion, subject 10 the laws Of the State.
Ihr officers OF many OF the Stites Gu.
ueavot to follow, In general way,
army regulations.
10 the uase OF lams, the opinions o.
militia officers differ widely as regards
what the rights OF the Oillcor and
soldier were under the laws Of Pe'-
,ylyania and the army regulation
cymhined.
The case will probably be settled by
Inc > ate courts.
What is needed by the militia Of
inh country Is uniformity OF organize.
Won aud law. For u long time this has
heen clear to ne Ms 20 thousands q
olhtrs Interested in the defense OF our
common country. When, thirty yC-rs
tgu' | had the honor 10 join that grt Al
boiy oi patriotic soldlery-tho NOlup.
WeIs--l was'llnpr,ssed then, as now f,
ny The diversity Of ,quiI nsnt, drIll
tha discipline N Organizations from
NE various Slat0s. 10 beewed 10 mr
'hHt ihere should be unity iuplacc Of
ulNer'lty IA these thibps.
To ascertain the opinions Of others In
t's matter, the following letter was
~, To The acknowledgements Of the
Various State;
slr-l have The honor toask Your opin.
". OF tue dcsiinblity OF ndlulpnt gene
~ Coy mo militia OF the several States
:" ulprlAlizng Congress on tho subject oi
',eIg being established a spuoinl branch
We Nnr department to DO l.poWn 49,
'lg Nllulla department This department
ne under the control at tho Socra AIRY
war and 70 have ns he chiof nm ofhrUr
,he RANK ~ bngadler general, who shall
,'Nr ahuiiablo sian; tho chief aud stiT
oe olncers ~ the regular army, the OBJ
on tnls Department being 10 promote
"'g yhelency Of tile militia
la uHneNed that department OF this
Nuuln %" pl great nssistanco.in aid
u' oFNhn'zauou, equipment, drill,
T,INtne'- ana value of tho miliin
uutf TIE personal direction Of such %
l1Imont NE national militia would
'uio homogeneous body Of soldiers