New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-02
GEN. M'LEWEE CRITICISED.
MANY OFFICERS THINK HE SHOULD
HAVE SHOWN LESS FEELING.


HIS REPORT SAID TO HAVE INFLUENCED
GOVERNOR MoRroN's AcT1oN-THE
GENERAL GLAD HE SPOKE OUT
AFTER HIS REMOVAL.
The excitement In National Guard circles !
caused by the news that Governor Merton had
removed General McIewee from his place as
Inspector-Ge was eclipsed yesterday by
the greater excitement created by General Nc
Lewees statement Of facts and circumstances
which gave rise to his criticism. Many officers
believe that while General McI.ewee per-
fecty correct In his criticisms he might have
accomplished good II he had shown less
personal feeling and If he had not used his re-
port as an instrument to get even" with OFF,
GERS whom he had cause to dislike.
For instance one officer said. mo one can
rick flaw in General McLewee's treatment of !
Major Burbank In the report but no one can
blame the Major for being nettled at the fact
that while other Army officers who served In
former years praised he is dismissed with
the sentence: Major Burbank also there"
I'VE all regret that things have taken such
turn. said an old officer "and am particularly
sorry for McI.ewee. because ! know him we'll,
and have served with him. but he brough; 1t
himself. His dismissal and the contro-
much good" he continued. land with this rum
pus before them a terrible example. the law
makers may adopt measures which will make
further wrangles Of the kind impossible All
this could not happen ii the heads Of the var
Gus departments did not change so frequently.
When the pector-General the General In
spector OF Rife Practice and all other important
staff officers cease to receive their appointments
through political influence. and when the Gov
ernors staff becomes what 1t should be. an or
namental body with no military duties. except
to appear in uniform on State occasions. then
criticism Will not cause o commotion like this"
ANOTHER STATEMENT FROM MLEWEE
General McTewee. when seen yesterday said
that he had received many letters from officers
In the National Guard expressing sympathy with
him. One officer wrote that he might be one OF
those who rejoiced over the Commander-in-
Chief because he had been severely criticised by
the Inspector General. But the criticism did
all good" he continued. and thank you at
this late day"
Il amused" said General McLewee. cover
the statement in the Albany dispatches that
Governor Morton angry because my report
was not delivered in time. The report was de-
livered at 3 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon. and
the fact that the Albany dispatches in the
Wednesday evening papers contained extracts
from the document is proof positive that it was
in the hands of the Adjutant General on Wednes-
day. Like a tattling boy. he went to the Gov
ernor and said that my report had not come to
hand. because my signature not on the copy
which was then in his possession. The delay on
the part of the printer added fuel to his fire.
1T has been alleged" General McLewee con-
tnued. that l said hard things about McApn
and Burbank. / do not deny IL. but was forced
to do II. The action Of the Governor put me
the defensive. and I had TO tell few OF the
things which have kept to myself because Nc
Alpin my superior officer. When he ignored
official communications. when he refused TO see
me In matters pertaining TO the Guard in which
he should have felt as much interest 7. when
he set his juniors bad example by disregardng
the code and regulations. and when he made
the uniform Of she soldier ridiculous, I said moth
ing except where my duty compelled to
speak. But when ! was placed In false light
In the eyes of those whose respect esteem. and
when the barriers which exist between superior
and subordinate had been broken down. I spoke
and I'm glad OF f."
HOW MAJOR BURBANK WAS TREATED
The part Of General McLewee's report which
offended Major Burbank. and which is believed
to have influenced Governor Morton's action. is
as follows:
In the selection of an Army officer for duty with
our troops. experience has proven that those from
h tne an arm OF me seavce are OF greater
ponderance Of our troops is Of that branch 1t Is
easy 10 see why il should be So An Army officer
who takes an interest in his duty in this State csa
accomplish an immense amount OF good as was
9T ned STATS ig n al Whose nSor for
years are still gratefully remembered and appr"-
and the service generally we're deprived Of the
benefit OF a continuance OF his able work with the
and the camp of instruction. This officer not alone
performed his duty in a mastery manner, nut won
the respect and affection OF the troops at the same
time: and It is a subject of universal regret that
he obliged to sever his connection with the Ma
tional Guard of New-iork
Then follows a list OF the officers who
detailed for duty at State Camp Hea iquarters
In addition to the regular headquarters STAFF
there also duty this year Colonel Robert
II. Hall 4th United States Infantry who was de
work performed at the camp Colonel Han was on
similar duty during The camp OF ls, ana TINS year
and added Them those of all with whom ne came
in contact, He was 'reesf IN ms
considerably and pieasanty aae, w W. ,bnr r
III N t'1 Hnrbank United States Army. also in
camp.
THE CHARGES OF CAMP DISORDER.
number of officers who would not express an
oninion as to the merits Of the case. or Governor
Norton's action were less reticent on the subject
Of the statements of General McLewee' whieh
ohorocterizcd Quality Row" in camp as a series
IF This state of affairs did really exist, SAID
an officer Yesterday. 1t is strange that did not
notice il in the course OF my stay OF one week IN
camp know that one could II ne ieit inclined,
49,, vo,. oe, liuuor and beer. but that drinking
was carried to the excess described by General
rcI ewoe was unknown TO me until read OF II
this morning. ar. l., NJ, ooo
knev. that every tent except Colonel Storeys
vas little better than n barroom why did ne not
make n change in the one over when ne GER
tainlv had authority? ! refer to the tent when
was occupied by his assistants. Colonel Greene
and Major Lee. If that tent was also barroom
and General McLewee knew II to be so. II was
ha du,y 10 put a stop to its violations Of the regu
iations then and there. or TO keep quiet about 1t