The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-15
NIobIaw at Camps.

hOD LAW ~
The lack Of control and want OF disci-
pline shown In almost every camp and
assembling place of the volunteers de-
serves comment. III this had been pec'-
liar TO one place and the exhibitions
of lawlessness confined TO specific organi-
cations and referable 90 some eXtraor-
binary cause, It might DE condoned while
regretted. But If the reports are true,
and they seem 20 be authentic. the dis
orderly disgracefui and mutnous COM
duct shown by these men Us deserving
severe apprehension. AT san Francisco
a mob from one regiment marches 60 att
tack men of another. Their officers APP
pealed @ TO them 20 stop. Again az san
Francisco a citizen has filed a claim for
damages Of $3.50 on account Of dostruc-
ton of his property by band Of riotous
soldiers seeking 10 lynch his son for
striking a soldier IN bar room DroiL
At jacksonville bands OF disorderly sol-
diers swept the town. and al Camp Black
not only the immediate vicinity Of the
camp. but the surrounding villages were
terr0rized by drunken men and the con-
ditions became so bad that on their re-
turn 20 camp the organization had 20
be dlsarmed for fear that it might over
awe the guard.
At Camp Thomas men refused 20 do
duty and neglected their horses because
they had their own conception OF their
enlistment In New Orleans the same
spirit OF lawlessness has been manifested.
Lynching has been freely threatened, OBJ
nOxiOus barkeepers pummcied and sac
looms and worse places wrecked. The
control OF officers. If indeed they dared
20 attempt control, has been laughed al.
This has been "A notable manifestation
everywhere We will not say that iJ
has characterized any but small pro-
portion of the men, but II has been
marked enough to indicate a serious con-
diti0n.
This lawless spirit eliminated In the
attempt OF Pvt. Kinney. of the LIST Mis-
slssippi. who made an assault upon the
commanding officer OF his regiment. Col
Goyan. at Chickamauga, and afterward.
threatened TO shoot the Adiutant OF his
regiment. His case was disposed OF
promptly by court martial and five years
i'm the penitentiary Will teach him the
ways OF discipline.
What wonder that peaceable citizens
object 20 the establishment 90 camps i'm
their vicinity when irresponsible and un-
comfortable ruffans run riot ana no one
is safe from insult and outrage.
IL mixes no difference that most or the
disorder IS bred from drink and exhibits
itself I'm tho worst localities of place.
IL betrays an absolute lack OF discipline
and control.
Inc secular press. instead OF sternly
c0ndemning such state OF affairs.
seems 10 cond0ne Il because 10 is done 'Dy
soldiers A drunken and dis0rderly
"herO" brought before a magistrate IS
dismissed with a perfunctory rebuke
This IS all wrong. totally subversive
OF discipline and liable % breed I'm tho
minds Of the men the idea that because
they have enlisted and wear the uniform
they are licensed 10 do what they please.
The injurious example. the unpublished
disorders and Outrages OF a dozen or
more toughs in a regiment. will have a
great effect on their facie comrades.
Let the nonsense that every soldier.
per Sc, is a patriot and a prospective
hero be gotten rid or We willingly con-
sent 20 the idea OF being lenient 90 some
sprightly Jacky just from Santiago or
10 the reasonably harmless vagaries Of
a veritable Tommy Atkins Of San Juan,
but the uniformed rough who breaks bot
ties over the heads Of barkeeDers. wrecks
saloons and insults and terrorizes citi-
zens. male or female. should get just
what he used to get before he donned
uniform and became one OF "our brave
boys" The policeman with his club is
what is wanted clvilly and 4 rigid appl-
cation OF the articles OF war militarily.-
Army and Navy Journal