The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-04-08

up thS
thoughts of summary trials, decisive
action, terrible sentences and quick
~retribution, intermingled with tor
menting visions of austere courts, de-
lected offenders, and scenes verging on
the inquisitorial abuses of old. A hor-
rible panorama of an execution in some
secluded spot in the gray dawn haunts
the dismal fancy of the morbidly sensi-
tive, and in the minds eye is depicted
h hapless and helpless victim as he
totters on the brink Of an open grave
and receives the leaden messengers of
death from smoking rifles in the hands
of an unfortunate firing detail, who
are afterward seen to perform the sad
duties of a burial party.
In the face of SUCH conceptions who
could regard the life of the soldier as a
happy one? While such fancies may
not have been beyond the possibilities
of dread reality in that gloomy time
when families were divided and brother
fought against brother, they are in
time of peace too absurd TO be enter
tanned by intelligent persons, yet l
have frequently been asked if such
conditions now exist.
No, my innocent and civil brother,
such conditions do not exist, nor have
they ever existed in this glorious coun-
try except in time of war, and even
then in fragrant and desperate cases
only. Discard your gloomy thoughts
and learn that in these piping times of
peace, when every little offense and
minor breach of discipline is investi-
gated by either a summary, garrison,
or general court-martial, it is not an
afIcommon occurrence for the genius
OF comedy to enter the inquisitorlal
chamber.
Who would think it? Comedy parad-
ing before a court-martial. Even so.
A case comes to mind the ludicious
features of which came very nearly up
setting the dignity of the gold
decked members of a court-martial
which was in session at one of our
western posts.
Private Schultz of Company B,-th
Infantry, was a%rraigned to answer to
the awful charge of conduct to the
prejudice of good order and military
discipline" This charge is one Of the
~stereotyped kind which, like charity.
serves to cover a multitude of sins. 1t
is always on tap, is used extensively,
and will be found covering a large per-
centage of accusations against military
offenders. When all other specific
charges covered by the articles of war
fail to meet the requirements of a case,
the somber and well-worn blanket of
conduct to the prejudice, ETC." is
spread over a sheet of legal cap and
the entire omnibus hurled at the I'M
fortunate offenders head.
In this particular instance, the
charge vas followed by a long-winded
specification wherein it was set forth
that the aforesaid.Private Schultz ebay
ing been duly and regularly detailed
Us barrack-room orderly, did become
intoxicated and did fail to properly
perform the duties of his Office" and
that lin his drunken and unsightly
condition he did walk through the
streets of the garrison. This to the
disgrace of the uniform which he
wore" etc.
To the reading of the foregoing bud.
Se1 VI ~ocIlouSHceS tHc uuinduacieC
prisoner listened in painful and patient
silence. When the judge advocate Of
the court asked him what he had to say
the stolid face of the bronzed warrior
underwent a transformation and tool
on a soul-stirring air of injured limo
as he very modestly asked that &
plea of not guilty be entered.
On behalf of the prosecution three
witnesses were introduced who testi
lied in support of the heinous offense.