New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-19
THE CASE or PRIVATE SNEEAEl.
THERE Is ANOTHER SIDE TO 1T. AS SHOWN by
COLONEL MCOsKREY BUTT.

THERE Is ANOTHER SIDE TO IT AS SHOWN by
COLONEL MCOsKREY BUTT.
It appears that there is another side to the story
given out yesterday regarding the arrest ana I'M
prisonment of Private John J. Sweeney. OF Com
pany X, 18th Regiment. for the non-payment OF hiS
fines which shows incidentally some Of the things
with which officers of the National Guard through
out the country have to deal
Sweeney was arrested on Monday night. unjustly
1t is asserted and lodged in Ludlow Street jail on
the COMPLAINT OF a minor officer. His mother, his
four year old son and boy brother he says. are
left without support. as he will remain IN JAIL ior
a couple months. besides losing mis- newly secured
job under a contractor in Hackensack sweeney
saws that Captain Blake had allowed him TO neglect
drill for about two months while ne was hunting
for work but that when he returned TO attend drill
-, Monday last Lieutenant O'Connor man who
he savs had persis,cnty prosecuted him. caused his
arrest on charge Of taking one Of his military hats
ont OF the State. This, Sweeney says. was merely
q dodge TO detain him until n marshal could take
him into custody on the complaint OF Captain Blake
for not attending drills or paying fines
This is the side OF the case which represents
Sweeney as the injured person. Colonel McCoskry
R,tt of the 18th Regiment. made some statements
last night from another point OF view. Sweeney.
Colonel Butt says. is an old offender. OF whom he
has been hearing in various ways for over year
and who has been before the military court several
times In Mace of being sober. steady and indus
trious as reported, he not steady-.n fact not
a good soldier being riotous and untrustworthy,
according to the Colonel. Regarding his relations
with Lieutenant O'Connor. he had been a common
offender against discipline
AS a matter Of fact" continued Colonel Butt
last night Sweeney having moved over into New
Jersey had an idea that he could escape the conse-
| ouences Of characterization, and 1t was necessary
| TO maintain discipline by showing him that ne
! could not He was arrested under the Misde-
meanor act w Teia,G af,nT demand made by
| commanding officer of the Natlonal nuaiu nh ny
| arms uniforms equipments issued under the
! provisions of the Military Code. is guilty OF mis-
| demeanor' , -, IT.. ou,,,oor, nm,
! of the Slate which is against the law: ON Tues
day morning. when he was dlschaige9 from ON cuS
iody ne Wa wa n Te1 mr. ny '0'
In explanation of the foregoing II may be sald tna nay
there Is convened regular Intervals AT me lE'h
! Regiment ArmOry Delinquency Court Tor me ulail
| of abgentoes from drill and the sentences imposed
there are forwarded Colonel Butt, the officer or
dcrng the court, 10 be approved by him lheTe IS
81 ZEN DAYS for the making OF appeals upon which
| the commanding officer may. If he inds It proper:
made no effort to appeal but. on The contrary gave
his story out for publication In doing So Is he'd
| garded Regulation No. OF the Military Code of the
STATE Of NewYok which reads an
| toward others In the military service and all puDll,
tTansactions between military men prohibited
| II Wa ouch m occurrence which caused Genera1
Grant 10 suspend one Oh ms COZ ~ N, NJ
ing the war Recently, also. young naval officer
in New York was sent for furnishing Depart
| ment news 10 the newspapers. However such ac-
lion NAV be regarded at large. II Is evident that the
disregard OF the rule Is considered by military Off
GERS as a serious breach OF trust in military and
| naval orders.
| Colonel Butt was indignant AZ Sweeneys action In
| this regard and asked How can such one expect
any leniency from the colonel when ne runs TO the
| press and abuses his officers? He knew that
| alone and not Captain Blake. could excuse him
from drill and ne has thus far neglected to commu-
nicate with me. although that is sim his right
shall however certainly sustain Captain Blake in
| srrcsting him and | shall refuse TO release Mr..
| Sweeney" Colonel Butt added that the fact that
| Sweeney's fines so high-ST 69-showed that
| they must cover a long period OF time
| Regarding Private Ganey. OF the same regiment.
who was placed In Jail for payment OF dues and
later released. Colonel Butt could say nothing He
| had not been released by his order: but had prob
| ably paid I'D his dues Financial delinquency a
OF considerable trouble. he said In the Ma
| tional Guard