New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-27
GENERAL WLEWEES PUNISHMENT.

GENERAL MLEWEE'S PUNISHMENT.
The continued neglect of the Legislature and
the State authorities to investigate the National
Guard in the light of General McLewce's charges
may fairly he regarded. we suppose. as pro-
cepding from deliberate purpose. This mae
th is much TO be regretted for various reasons.
In the first place. the late lnspectOr-Generals
official report established prima facie case
which it is inexpedient 10 ignore. In the second
Place the abrupt dismissal of General McLewee
after almost twenty-five years of useful and
honorable service has subjected faithful officer
TO great ami unmerilcd hardship. Moreover, II
NAV possibly be necessary TO revise the original
opinion that Governor Morton had full power
10 remove him. The Constitution provides that
commissioned officer shall not be dismissed
EXCEPT by the Senate upon the recommendation
Of the Governor. or by the sentence of a court
martial or the findings Of an examining board,
or for absence without leave for six months or
more But. Oh the other hand the Constitution
explicitly says that members of the Governor 5
staff hold Office at his pleasure. There is an
apparent contradiction here. hut it would prob
ably be held that staff officers are excluded from
the enjoyment Of the protection which the Con-
sttu;ion gives to other commissioned officers,
and that in accepting staff appointments they
tnke ,hc risk of summary degradation by a com
marder-in- chief who may possibly be actuated
by personal feeling OF deceived by untrustwOrlhy
advisers
I'm the case of General McLewee it is a great
plty that there was no time for court martial
after the commission of his alleged offence, and
all the more so in view Of the fact that nobody
having authority seems willing TO have him
either condemned or vndcated. For his dis
uissal by Governor Morton in the last hours Of
his and the Governors term. though technically
warranted certainly is not morally condemna-
lion IN the Judgment Of the most reputable mem
bcrs of The National Guard and of the general
public. Though no longer connected with the
military establishment which he had served with
exemplary fidelity for nearly a quarter of a
century and though officially disgraced. he re-
tains the full rcspec, of those whose respect is
most worth having. And why shouldn't he: If
his accusations were true, he was under the
strictest obligation 10 make them. The Inspect
or-Generars report is meant TO contain the truth
on all matters within his purvew. That they
were true in part is positively known. and it is
generally believed that they were wholly true.
for they have never been contradiced or dis
credited in a single particular. But he commit
ted a military offence. 1t is said. Granted. And
wha, was the military offence: Why, he gave
Out two advance copies Of his report for publ
cation. under IA promise that il would not he pub
llshed until sufficient time had elapsed TO as
sure it's delivery al the AdjutantNienerars office,
and that promise was kept In short, he did
what the head OF every department Of the State
government Invariably does every year: but be
canse his report contained truths which his SUI
periors desired to conceal, drastic punishment
was instantly inflicted on the truth-teller silly
pretence is set UP that the report never filed
and the National Guard of New-York is without
any record OF the InspecforGenerars Depart
ment for the last year.
1t IL pretty well known already what those of
his fellow guardsmen who have the honor Of