New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-22
STRUNG UP BY THE THUMBS.
THE SUMMARY PUNISHMENT INFLICTED ON
UNITED STATES SOLDIERS
CAPTAIN MAKAY OF TIE THIRD CAVALRY BE-
ING TRIED BY oUET-MARTIAL FOR THE
ACT-THE MEN HAD COMMITTED
SERIOUS OFFENCES.

| rpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I
Washington, July 2l.-lt Is possible that 'he A'my
has OH lis hands similar TO that OF private lahS
who WAS strung up by tln thumbs by order Of Colonel
streotor while PENNSYLVANIA troops were on guard al
Homestead some time ago. court martial, OF which
Colonel Arson Mills Is president met at Fort Reno
Oklahoma to-day, to investigate the question: Inc
charges which the court VIII consider are Serious hhu
involve Captain J. O. Masay, OF the 80 'aNarS ii9
oecor Is alleged 10 have inflicted unusual and cruel
puni,hmclt upon enlisted men under his command
Only meagre accounts OF the case are oblalaDe'
II sn.u,s that CAPTAIN Makay commanded detach-
mon, NJ soldiers which was sent out some time ago
along the Mexican border in pursuit Of CARA ana MS
band While scouting several OF the souieIs COM
mt~i offences OF more or less serionsh'sS' ih' zap
tain decided TO inAict summary punishment upon the
offenders to check further misconduct AccorunES
the offenders were strung up by the thumb, ana h'p'
I'm that po,ltlon for a short time. 1t Is not known
whether the II en- who underwent tn" punishment were
injured to any extent but 1t Is assumed That they SUI
fcrcd no little pain and mOrfcaton at the abuse Oh
authority displayed by their commander
Whatever the effect, Captain Makay's act was cear-
v unjust and unlawful. Both the law anu a'hS
regulations provide that while military authority Will
De- exercised with rmness, II Is to De tempered WIN
,,ndn,ss and Justice at all times. The regulations
prrsc ribc that punishments must In all cases coorm
TO law and snpcriors forbidden to inJure those
under them by her tyrannical caprciols conduct
or by abusive language. Even oourt-mar'iil cannoV
Gx punishment upon convicted offender eAcep' 'na'
of death for serious crimes, which carries Win u
cruelty or bad bodily injury. II Captain Mahay com
mltt.d the grave offence charged against hlm uie
results wiif prove disastrous TO his career as an
officer Even II the injury to his suboriinateS was
Sight the captain guilty Of breach Of discipline
I'm nAIctlng any punishment without the sanction of
a court martial
Caprain Naaay's case Is attracting much attention.
Not since the war has an officer been brought To book
for such an offence as he Is now being tried Tor.
Army officers In speaking Of the case to-day Sah IL
WIS cause for great regret that member OF 'he
military service should have preferred against MN
,r"a ~ ,ucb a s.r,ous character Officers recognize
i,. fact that giving publicity To acts wEich involve
cruelty TO enlisted Injuries the service ana gives
"a dcna.ogiir, an opportunity TO rail against the
Srmv AID condemn II, objects and meihoNs. WIN
i..ct to tho past reputation and conduct OF 'aptal
Nl,tav h~ comrades referred to daN IN terms o h-H
praise The general sentiment in military chir,,
.rnucd to be- that Judgment should b, suspended
until the verdict Of the court is made public