Evening star., 1896-09-28
LIEUT.. LANG'S CASE.
A Denial That He Has Been Subjected
to Social ONtruciSm.

A good deal has been published in the
papers of late concerning the alleged ostra-
cism of Lieut.. Clarence i. Lang, I'd Ar
tillery, because of MS marriage 90 the
daughter of Quartermasteer Sergt. kenk-
Ter. The latest report is that his father
in-law has been ordered to duty at the
same post as the officer with the view Of
humiliating him. There is said to he an
unwritten social rule in the army which
forbids social intercourse between the fam
lilies of officers and the families Of enlisted
men, which alleged rule. it is said, would
prevent Mrs. Lang from visiting or receir-
ing visits from her own father or mother,
Notwithstanding they were all at the same
post.
An emphatic denial of these reports is
made by the officials of the War Depart
ment, where the reports OF alleged octra-
cism are regarded as wholly imaginary.
Lieut.. Lang is also on record as having
expressed regret that the impression pre-
vailed anywhere that he had been the
victim Of social octracisn. He has high
strung nervous temperament, and has suf-
fered for years with nervous disorder, or
account of which ne has endeavored to be
placed on the retired list. He is now at
Glenham, near Fiskkill, N. Y, on six
months leave of absence on account of
sickness.
What Lieut.. Lang Says.
In recent interview on the subject,
Lieut.. Lang said: II have never told any
one that 1 had been sighted on account
of my marriage. Even II felt that there
was a disposition to ostracize me, it would
be unbecoming in me as an officer to say
such a thing. If 1 felt myself aggrieved
there are several ways in which, as an
officer of the army, could state my griev-
ance.
1.-The report that I want to be retired
from the army on account of social os-
tracism is without foundation. My sole
reason for desiring to be retired is on ac-
count of i'll health. I have done much hard
work. and I am not in condition physically
to attend to the exacting duties of an army
officer. If l am sufficiently improved in
health after the expiration Of the six
nor tbs leave of absence which / have
obtained 1 shall gladly go back to the
service.
1.-The constant allusion to my case has
done me much harm. 1 have seen things
attributed to me in certain newspapers
hich have never uttered. There is no
reason why my marriage should have been
so widely discussed. 1t is not SO remark
able a thing for officer to marry the
dat ghter of a soldier. 1 could mention
half a dozen cases within my personal
knowledge. Even If social ostracism had
followed my marriage I would be the last
man to complain of it. I would willingly
accept it as matter of course. I have
never before talked for publication on this
matter"
In Fishkill. where the lieutenant is well
known, the impression is that the stories
Of the ieutenant's social ostracism have
little foundation. Mrs. Lang is spoken OF
in the highest terms.
A man who had been at West Point with
the lieuteDsnt at the time of his marriage
to Miss Kenkler said that the social ostra-
cism existed mainly in the mind of the
| Lieutenant himself He said that some per.
sons did speak slightingly to the lieuten
ant. but that feeling that thew NAV
have had against him began long before
his marriage.