The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-06-30

Sse:s together With cur opieions AID re-
commentators. this court Of inquiry is
board Of investigation with
she inc;der,a! authority which
ecu have expressly conferred
cpon il. o: pronouacing conclusion
upon sae facts After a mos. thorough
Investigation Of the disturbance which
occurred upon the grounds 10
charge OF the South Caro-
Ina college at Columbia, Friday.
May 28tb, 1897. aud it causes. we beg
leave TO report the following 6odiogs
of facts together with our opinions aud
Recommendations thereon:
The review, Inspection and drill
having been completed. the purposes
;or whicb the troops had assembled
we're accomplished.
10 the battalion deess parade which
vas about to De held the adjutaos aud
inspector general did not have any IN
aerent right and could nos take any Of
fetal par: as 10 position OF participation
10 this ceremony is, prescibed for such
an officer, aud he could be present only
by courtesy Of the colonel commaudios.
aod vas therefore, withou. authority to
command the troops.
To taxing aod retaining position
amidst crowd of tarbulen. students at
or near third base, thereby eocroacbing
upon the lawful territory Of the base
ball players and uselessly interfering
with their game. when ample and
suitable grounds were available near by.
General Watts showed serious lack Of
judgment and disregard for the rights
of Others
His ordering the battalion forward for
the purpose of clearing the field was ao
assumption of authority that was un-
wise, unnecessary and uawarrauted.
Section 414 of the Revised Statutes
of 1893 reads: Cali commissioned
officers Of the militia may be removed
from Office by the commander-in-cbief
Removal may also be made by
decisions Of court martial, or retiring
or examining board, pursuant to Law
aud for misconduct any officer may be
suspended By the commander.ip-chie .
The term ..any officer" as herein used
eau not in our opinion, include the ad-
jusans and inspector general, who is an
executive officer. aud whc could be sus-
pended or removed only uuder article
XIV of the constitution of 1895.
It appears further by the authority
above quoted (Winthrop vol. /, page
sos. that the opinon required of US
is as to whether the officers under in-
ves,igasion "should properly be brought
to trial by court martial; or whether
aoy ether, and if any. what action is
called for By the interests Of the SER
vice, OF is otherwise desirable to be
taken"
Since therefore. from the circum-
stances Of the case trial BY cont mar
tisl could result 10 nothing more than
a recommendation to Jour exceiiency
tia, the matter be broughs to tie at
tension Of the general assembly and,
sioce We are not restricted to recon-
mendiog court martial. bu: may say
what other "actioa is called for by the
interests of the service. or is otherwise
desirable to be taken" We respectfully
recommend that your excellency lay
the whole matter before the general as
sembly for such action Cat its next ses.
siou under Article XIV of the Cons,i-
tuition of 1895. as that BODY may deem
proper
We further recommend that the gov
esoor aud commander-in- chief publish
a general order reprimauding Gen.
era! J. Gary Watts for serious lack of
Judgment and disregard of the rights Of
others 90 the occasion Of the disturb
aoce on the athletic grounds Of the
South Carolina college at Columbia Oh
May 28,h, A. D 1897.
OF course. it is to be regretted tha:
Co! Joces failed to mention the fact to
General Watts tha. the written permis-
sion given for the use OF these grounds
was for the 26:h of May, and not the
2Stb and the further fact that 10 said
written permission the military we're
requested to con6ne themselves as much
as possible to the eastern portion of the
grounds.
Furthermore the colonel OF the regi-
meut, or its adjutant. in accordance
With section 668 Of the infantry drill
regulations, United States army, under
the head of General Rules Of Re-
views" should have designated speci-
6caily by flag some place on the
grounds as 'tbe post liue," which said
pos. could then have answered as coz
veniers point from which the adjutaut
general could have witnessed the dress
parade.