Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-14
HOW TO PUT DOWN MOBs.
New Regulations Issued for the Gov
eminent of Soldier.

A Washington special to the New York
Herald says:
President Cleveland, In approving the
new army regulations, has laid down I'M
portant rules for the guidance Of the army
in dealing with mobs.
1t is positively stated that 1t shall not
be lawful TO employ any part OF the army
as Il posse comitatus or otherwise for the
purpose of executing the laws, except in
such cases and under such circumstances
as such employment may be expressly au-
thorized by the Constitution or by act of
Congress.
In case of sudden or unexpected inva-
sion, or In case of attempted robbery or
interruption of United States mails, or
other emergency so momentous as 10 rem
der il dangerous to await Instructions, an
officer Of the army may take such action
before the receipt of Instructions as the
circumstances may justify.
OFFICERS HELD RESPONSIBLE.
1t will be seen that q great deal OF
power is given to the army by this para
graph, but the authorities have taken the
precaution to state that the officer VIII be
held responsible for the employment of his
men, and this will have a deterrent effect
upon hasty action.
The succeeding paragraph states That
troops cannot act under the orders Of any
civil officer. "The commanding officers OF
troops so employed" il says, are directly
responsible to their military superiors.
| Any unlawful act on their part would not
be excusable on the ground of an order
| or request received by them from mar
| shall or any other civil officer"
| A mob is defined as a public enemy.
provided 1t is forcibly resisting or OBJ
| structing the executions of the laws of
| the United States, or attempting TO de-
| stroy property belonging 10, or under the
protection OF the United States. 1T is
purely a tactical question" the regula-
lions read, Gin what manner troops shall
| use the weapons with which they are
| armed-whether by fire of musketry and
| artillery, or by the use of bayonet and
| sabre. or by both, and at what stage
| of the operations which or either mode
| Of attack shall be employed. This tacti-
| cal question will be decided ~ the imme-
| date commander OF the troops according
| to his judgment Of the situation"
Before the troops are ordered to fire
| into a mob the commanding officer is
directed TO give timely warning TO the in
nocent. who may be mingled with 1t.
SHARPSHOOTERS FOR RIOTERS.
one instruction In the regulations which
| will undoubtedly please Uncle Sans SOL
diers and be gratefully read by
the militia who have been called out
against mobs Is that directing the detail
OF sharpshooters to shoot down such in
| dividual rioters as have fired upon or
thrown missiles at troops.
1t is stated that, as a general rule, the
| bayonct alone should be used against
| mixed crowds In the first stages of re-
volt AS soon as sufficient warning.
however has been given, the troops Will
he governed solely by tactical considera-
tons.
'-They should make their blows so effec-
tive" the regulations conclude, las to
| promptly suppress all resistance to law
full authority and should stop the de-
| struction OF life the moment the lawless
resistance has ceased. Punishment be-
longs not to troops. but to the courts OF
Justice"
These regulations will govern such OF
the militia OF the country as may be
called into the field by United States
authorities against a mob. az well as the
regular army. and II is expected that the
several States will incorporate these riot
regulations In their militia laws and regu-
| latiuns.