New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-31
THE PUNISHMENT OF IAMS.

Much INDIGNATION has been expressed at the
torture inflicted on Private Iams by his Colo
nel's orders, as part of his punishment Tor
rejoicing in the murderous assault on Mr.. Frick
and 80 far as we are able to Judge the dlsap-
prevail is general though it is certainly not
unanimous. No disposition to excuse the
soldiers grave offence is dlScernible among
reputable citizens, but many have taken the
pains to condemn the act OF hanging him by
his thumbs that we must believe their opinion
70 be the prevalent one. Scarcely word has
been spoken In censure of his discharge in dis
grace from the military service, or OF the
means taken TO make his shame conspicuous
nv striDpine him of his uniform and drumming
him out of camp to the Rogue's March" But
the aversion to cruelty which early found eX-
preston in the Constitution of the United states
and in many State Constitutions has been VIDE
" manifested in connection with this depior-
able affair.
The only conceivable argument for innlctlng
torture is that its effect is salutary. Ii 1t has
not that justification it has none at all. we
find il impossible to believe that any useful
result was accomplished by the physical suit er-
ing of Iams. 1t certainly did not benefit him,
and there is no proof or indication that it pro-
duced better feeling or higher state OF eff
cheney among the troops at Homestead. Their
LOYALTY and discipline have been admirable
throughout, and so far as the public has been
permitted to know the facts, they required no
dreadful warning to keep them faithful to Their
obligations Nor was public opinion IN need
of anv such example to rectify and fortlfy 1t.
That the torture was unnecessary, and because
unnecessary grossly Objectionable, is sufficient
" indicated, we think. by the general and Sc
we're condemnation passed upon It, some per-
sons. il is 10 be noted. are now saying that
Iams did not suffer intense PAIN, nasmuch as
his thumbs sustained only small part OF MS
weight at any time. and during most OF the
time none at all. But this testimony comes
late and Is. moreover, in direct contradiction
to the responsible if not official reports maze
at the time Of the occurrence. Furthermore II
thi. feature Of the punishment was not designed
to be extremely painful, and was not inflicted
for that express purpose. it was utterly rdlcu-
Ions The soldiers disgrace was complete with
out it,
Under the pressure Of criticism General
Snowden has formally declared that Iams was
suspended by the thumbs without the Generals
knowledge OF H"'S - -
occasion.u he adds. ito express approval or
disapproval of it, and have not done So" Al
the same time his words convey the impression
that he regrets the occurrence, that he Is aware
of the unfortunate effect If has produced, ana
would not cOuntenance a repetition OF IT. zen
eral Snowden says that "a Colonel IN tlme OF
war can shoot an officer if he fails to do his
duty. and at Homestead we were doing martial
duty"; but this is not, and probably is not sup
posed by General Snowden to be, an adequate
response to criticism of the punishment admin
istered to Iams Acts deserving to be pun
shed by death might have been committed ana
NAV nossibly be committed hereafter at Home
stead and we do not believe that the com
munity would refuse to recognize such neces-
sitv if il should arise Civil law, military disci-
pline and public opinion justify and prescribe
capital punishment under certain conditions,
hut the American people will never sanction
torture as penalty for treason or any other
crime We refrain from discussing Colonel
Streator's technical authority to order the pun
ishment complained of. either with or without
a trial. inasmuch as the courts are likely to be
invoked for the settlement of that question.
The action of Colonel Streator Is. We be-
lieve generally condemned, but it does not
follow that he will or should be denounced with
unmitigated harshness. AS General Snowden
Justly SAYS, "sober- minded people will remem-
Der that the punishment inflicted was in the
face of revolution, treason and anarchy" Al
]owance will be rightly made for an officer con-
fronted with unusual and perplexing conditions
and at the moment startled and Mortified by
an act of extraordinary malignity and base
ness 1t is unnecessary and unjust to assume
that Colonel Streator was actuated by any I'M
worthy motive. His judgment was seriously
at fault, but he will be acquitted of the charge
of wanton brutality.