St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-07-12
LEG SHACKLES ON PRISONERS
AT SMELLING STIR HIS
ihE. aT-
GEN. BROOKE is SURPRISED.
THE SECRETARY OF WAR AMI
DEPARTMENT COMMANDER I
EXPRESS DISAPPROVAL. ).
Inspection at the Post by Secrez
tary Lamont, Who Leaves for
the East Today.
Dan Lamont does not like shack-


les
Secretary Of War Lamont is very
likely to issue formal order abol-
1shlng their use in the United States
army as soon as he returns to WASH
lngton, if such an order is necessary.
While the secretary of war was
making his round of inspection of
Fort Smelling yesterday afternoon
an incident occurred which, as stat
ed, shows that Secretary Lamont
does not like the old-time custom
Of shackling prisoners who are un-
der guard. Gen. Brooke, commander.
of the Department of Dakota, is not
in favor of it either, judging by his
words and actions yesterday.
When the secretary and his party
had come to the guard house the,
prisoners were turned out for in
spection. Several of them were
shackled at the ankles, and a chains
orstrap fastened to the belt held up
off the ground the slack of the
shackle chain.
AS soon as the secretary of war,
noticed the chain and nippers he
remarked, in voice which showed
he was Shocked
What are these men shaclkled
for? I don't like that. Those things
should not be used
'This is the first time in ten years
that l have seen such a thing" said
Gen. Brooke. Then, turning to the
officer of the day, he asked:
''RU
men put in irons?'
1T has always been a custom at
| this post" responded the officer.
But this reply did not satisfy the
general. Captain" he said, under
what rule is such a thing done?"
II do not know of any rule, sir.
We simply obey orders, and it has
always been a custom at this post"
We'll, it cannot longer be toler-
ated," responded the department.
commander; and the incident was
closed, for the time being.
EXAMINING PRISONERS.
One by one the prisoners were called
to the front and lined up As they
stepped forward Gen. Brooke ques-
toned each enc as to his name, age,
regiment and company, and the Of
fense for which he was imprisoned.
Most of the prisoners responded "De-
Sertion," but other crimes We're also
named. One big colored trooper said
he was accused of trying to shoot the
first sergeant absent without
leave,'' drunk on parade" ''theft -
assault and battery" fraudulent
enlistment were among theresponses.
C onI1
answered respectfully, but with one
or two exceptions there was univer-
sal indication of nervousness if not of
shame. The secretary of war asked a
question now and again, especially
when the younger prisoners were
called. Each one of them was re-
quired to state when and where he had
been tried and sentenced, and for how
long. Sentences ranged from three
months to three years and six months.
with dishonorable discharge at the
end of the term. There was lust a
hlnt, in the tone of some of the ques-
tons, that the general and the Sec
retary We're bit surprised by the Sc
verify of some of the sentences; but
in every such case a little further
questioning added to the offense.
one of the most interested specta-
tors of the examination of prisoners
was James j. Hill. He followed the
questioning closely, and scanned the
faces OF the men with interest
1t was after o'clock when Secre-
tary Lamont and party arrived at the
tort. They had been looked for much
earlier, but it was late when the party
went TO luncheon and the gait was
not forced at table. Two of Uncle
Sans ambulances carried the secre
tary and his aids to the fort, and AIrs.
Lamont and her little daughter were
also in the rarty. Mr. and Mrs. Hill
drove out in their own CONVEYANCE
The commandant of the fort and his
staff received the visitors as tlrev
alighted at the headquarters building
and while they stood chatting a few
minutes detail of artillerymon fired
the regulation salute The ladies' and
children were entertained at the resi-
dence of the post commander while
the inspection was being made
NO informal parade of the troops
could be made, because they are all
at Camp Lakeview except a post
guard.
To o b e man the secretary
said very pleasantly, but very decid-
edly, that he had nothing to saw to
the public concerning his trip. This
Is not an unusual thing" said he. "a.nd
any recommendations CIR changes to
be made must await my return 10
washington, when they will be en-
bodied in the official report
The secretary's special car will be
attached to the morning train on the
eastern Minnesota today From Du-
lutn passage will be taken on the
steamer North Land for Buffalo.