New-York tribune., 1897-01-17
THE M'LEWEE CHARGES.

Thus far there is no evidence Of a disposition
on the part of anybody in authority to nveStl-
gate the charges involving the discipline ana
efficiency of the National Guard of this state
which were contained in General McleweeS re-
port and the publication of which caused his
dismissal from the office of lnspector-'enerai il
few hours before the expiration OF his term.
Adiutant- General Tillinghast is quoted as saying
that the report is not officially before him. and
consequently that he is not In position to take
action upon il. Whether or not this understand
Ing of the situation is wholly correct. ii is natu-
raj that the new chief of staff should shrink from
adding TO the unfamiliar duties OF his Office the
delicate task of inQuiring into the truth or ac-
cusations against his predecessor. For sim
liar reason Governor Black. however firmly re-
solved TO insist on a high military standard for
the future may feel inclined TO avoid a public
exploration of the past. And even II the new
administration were disposed 10 take this matter
M we are not sure that another means of ascer-
tanning the facts might not produce more salts
factory results.
OF one thing we entertain 10 doubt whatso-
eyer-namcly. that General McLew@'s serious
assertions officially made under keen sense
of responsibility. presumably based on careful
observation Of the workings of the military eS-
tablshment and certainly deriving unusual I'M
portance from his high reputation and long eX-
pcrience ought to be made the subject OF rigid
and impartial inquiry. And considering all the
circumstances II seems 10 us that this important
duty can be most appropriately and advan-
tageously undertaken by the Legislature. III
this view of the matter should prevail AT Al
bany the task would naturally he assigned to
the Committee on Military Affairs of the Senate
or Assembly. or 10 joint committee composed
of members of the two military committees
That would probably be the best disposition OF
the ca &C. and we hope to see resolution TO that
effect introduced at an early day. There ought
not 10 be any infusion of politics in an affair of
this kind The National Guard should be. and
IN theory is. wholly outside the range Of partisan
manipulation. The people do not want to have
ANYBODY connected with it unjustly assailed or
uniustly protected. OF course the elaborate ma
chiuerv of a legislative investigation ought not 10
be set In motion by idle gossip. but when serious
charges arc brought against the military organi-
xatiop by a competent officer in the performance
Of his duty they must not be suppressed. This is
such a case and we do not hesitate to say That
The reputation Of the service has been not only
assaed but. in the popular estimation, impaired
nv General McIewee's report. That its rregu-
lar publication was breach OF discipline may
he admitted without in the least diminishing the
gravity of its contents. His military standing
and his personal character tend strongly to con
firm the impression that his only mistake mas
been of n technical nature Justice to him. 10
those whom he accuses and above all. to the
people demands such an investigation as VIII
show whether or not that is an erroneous I'M
preston.
II NAV be convenient and desirable also to
consider carefully in connection with this matter
the general subject of the organization OF the