New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-17
DISCUSSING WLEWEE'S REPORT.
THE FORMER INSPECTOR GENERAL
THINKS HIS DISMISSAL UNCoN-
STITCTIONAL

The charges and criticisms which were made
by General Frederick c. McLewee In his report as
Inspector General. which caused his dismissal from
the staff OF Governor Norton will probably De
discussed In the course of the session or the Ma
t.onal Guard Associations meeting. in Albany. IL
is the object of a number of officers. who are In
svmpathy with General McIewee. and who believe
that he was unjustly dealt with. to bring about
an investigation Of the charges which were MADE
with n view to generating the Inspector-Gen-
era and preventing a recurrence OF the ABUSES 10
which he called attention. The Army and Navy
Journal" has this to say as to General McLewees
work. after saying Of him that he was one OF
the most efficient officers In the National Guard:
Freedom and fearessness Of criticism Is not a
FAINT in an Inspectoreneral certainly not one for
which he should be rebuked by the superior TO
erai and the other officers OF the Governors
sar are much the sub Sy o. es .nv them as
other officers The Tntea ,Sary H of he In
spector- Generals Department includes every
branch of military affairs. except wheh speciaHs
limited In these regulations or In orders orders
are under the orders of the Secretary OF war ana and
the Commanding General OF The Army ONLY q, ,be
State of NewYork places the inspector. 5
under the orders OF hS m see n what
General McIewee has made himself amena ats,s 10
DISCIPLINE s,mp the Gentlemen Who flourish in mill
tary uniforms without the slightest idea OF l,,t,
,arv duty serious Intention OF p.rlotinhHs
It where 1t interferes with their comfort or thelr
disposltion TO enjoy the pleasures of life To snow
the nature OF the Inspector-Generai crGi ~ We
true as stated. that this report Is to be sup
pressed is well that some recora shV Puma De in the
following extract from General LORD "oisees'
with which the report concludes ,nds unor the pub
lie II an officer finds that his knowledge, ana ma
ability to command are not egud HE 10 work and IL
after dgent study and appsasoI n me HHs and
ability TO command, and still retains ms rahK ne
willingly becomes a sharer In the swindIe'
In the controversy which followed General NC
Lewees dismissal. the conduct OF the ohcers VINO
occupied the headquarters tents during the 'o"t
If camp was severely criticised, and 1t Is believed
hv many officers that In justice to both parties
concerned an investigation should be ordered.
"As The matter now stands" said an officer. the
man who had the courage TO make true report
and to expose the misconduct of men VINO were ex-
neoted 10 set their subor1nates good example
has been dismissed, and those who were crlticised
r reappointed Unless 1t can be demonstrates
that General McIewee was wrong; that camp orui,
mar bsnI was not called upon serenade people
who had no right TO be in camp, ana ,'at o,cea S
from the Adjutant- General down did not w., wear
can be shown that General MeLewee was "r VIZ ANN -,
and Major Burbank, Of the United States Army OF
worse than that his dismissal VIII pear me-, eaa IN b
ranks as we'll officers. will believe that censure
FOR neglect Of duty or Tor Ddu coiiuuSt
General McIewees report has attracted attention
on,side of the State. and much favorable comment
has been made on the document me boston s
cobe' ;ays: THE annual report OF ihspecI OF yell
orai Mol ewee of the National Guard OF New YORK
g. ono 81 the most complete and valuable docu-
IS one - rscord vet issued and shows care In de-
M md nreparation that IL very commendapie 10
the General and his assistants. General McLewee
,ss,od the report twen.y-four hours oefore MS
term Of service expired. and at m tnc same nay.
VI IN, exn,red Governor Morton ordered his re-
mnva, and appointed Captain r.. NJ norman OF
EImra in his place The report Is most eA,
hamstiye one and doubt VIII nave peen read
Mi ewse has found that TO speak the truth ana
sbow nm the defects Of the National Guard - not
what il required Of an inspector IN New-forK
State ,ho &a,,,a,, savs
~, ' The report Of the Inspector-General was
om,t,ed because II had not been received In proper
1nrm General McLewee says that the failure on
he MARI of General McAlpin to incorporate his re,
P presented in the Legislature calling for the eA-
ciuded report and making II part OF the records
ccan.rai WcLewee said: Il want the report placed
' The hands OF every officer OF the Guard. and II
a. vide distribution will bring about an investiga
s IT, ~ the Adjuta mt Generals office under Nc
.9 3, VI ,eonle will md out that have not over
drawn the picture OF Acknowledgement ana negiec,
~ dutv General McLewee said also that he had
49,, CONVINCED that, according TO the Constitu-
,Ion Governor Morton had no right to remove
,ides that the Governor shall appoint the chiefs
~ the several staff departments his aides-de-camp
and military secretary all OF VIII shall hold once
Hiring his pleasure and accoTd ding TO that para
granh II would appear that the Governor was act
| fng within the law when he removed me: but FUR
,hssr IN there Is a paragraph In the Constitution
vhich says: No commissioned onicer shall be re-