The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-25
LETS HIN OFF EASY
president RENTS CAPTAIN
ROMEYN'S SENTENCE.
Ills Endorsement Approves the Proceed
ings, Findings and Sentence Of the
Court Martial, But Recites Romeyn's
Approaching Retirement and Honor
able Record, and Substitutes sharp
Reprimand for the Sentence OF Dis
missal-Speed Trials of New Gunboats-
Army and Navy News.

Wellington, May 24.-The president
has RENTED the sentence of dismissal
imposed by court martial on Captain
Romeyn, Fifth infantry, who, after
sensational trial, was convicted recently
q assault on Lieutenant O'Brien, Of the
sam, regiment, at Fort Mcpherson, Ga.
In view of the fact that Captain Romeyn
will retire by operation of law on June
1. the president believes that the ends Of
Justice will be secured by his severe
feprimand.
The endorsement Of the president in
the Romeyn case is as follows:
Executive Mansion, Washington, d.
C.. May 24-The proceedings, findings
and sentence in the case of captain
Henry Romeyn, Fifth infantry, are ap-
proved; but upon the recommendation
of a majority Of the members or the
court martial and in consideration or MS
long and honora BILE service, of his
wounds received in battle. Of the medal
nf honor held by him for most distin-
guished gailantry in action. OF the fact
that he viii by operation Of law. be re-
tired for age ga years. on the first day
OF June next and of his appeal 10 the
executive for clemency, the sentence
awarded by the court is RENTED In
doing 50, however, 1 cannot fail TO ex-
press my condemnation of the conduct
of which Captain Romeyn has been
found guilty and the regret that he failed
upon the occasion TO control his tenn
par in a manner becoming his service
and his age.
(Signed) civilian MKINLEY-"
Atlanta, Ga, May 24.-Captain Ro-
meyn, when shown the Associated Press
dispatch announcing that the president
had RENTED the court martial verdict
against him 10 reprimand, said he was
10th 70 believe that he would be repri
manded at all He expected to get off
much lighter than that, he said Lieu
tenant OBrien said he was satisfied
with the verdict in so far as II upheld
the findings of the court martial, but
that ne thought is a disgrace that man
should be allowed TO remain in the
army who had DETAINED the character of
a woman Mrs. O'Brien said she was
disappointed that Captain Romeyn had
got off so lightly. and declared she
should like to have seen him digging n
a ditch.
OTIS SUCCEEDS WHEATON.
Denver. Col, May 24.-Brigadier Cen
eral e. S. Otis. who has been assigned
TO the command OF the department OF
the Colorado, to succeed Major General
Frank Wheaton, retired, arrived in Den
yer today and assumed command Of the
department, issuing general order TO
that effect.
ARMY CHANGES.
Washington, May 2S.-The nomination
OF Brgedier General John R Brooke,
commanding the department of Missouri,
to be major general today, was prevent
ed only by the early adjournment of the
senate. and Il is expected that IT will not
be delayed longer than tomorrow. With
In day or two following, for il would
not be proper TO send in a nomination for
his present place before General Brooke
IS confirmed in his new rank, the nom-
nations OF the colonies who have been
lucky enough TO secure selections as
brigadier generals will be sent to the
senate. There will be four of these, al
though there will be only three appar-
ent vacancies on General Brooke's con-
firmation. This fact is accounted for by
the decision of the secretary of war 10
promote Colonel John X. Miner of the
TENN cavalry. stationed at st. Paul. 10
be brigadier general, and then retire him
Immediately. Colonel Miner is al pres
ent on leave OF absence II is the present
understanding that the three Colonies
who will be promoted TO brigadier gen.
eral have been selected as follows,
though the list is subject to change up
10 the last moment: Colonel Henry c.
Merriam, stationed in exas, and first on
the list OF Colonies Of infantry and also
first in relative rank: Colonel James F,
Wade, OF the Third cavalry. stationed al
San Francisco. frs in lineal rank in
cavalry and fourth in relative rank tat
present Colonel Wade is temporarily
commanding the department of Texas;
Colonel William NJ. Graham. Fifth ar
tillery, first in lineal rank in that arm
Of the service, and fifth in relative rank.
NAVAL CADETS
Annapolis. Nd. May 24-The follow