New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-28
GEN. MLEWEE INDICATED.
TO RECEIVE A FULL AND HONORABLE
DISCHARGE.
EX-GOVERNOR MORTON WRITES THAT HE WOULD
NOT HAVE REMOVED THE GENERAL HAD
NE KNOWN THE FACTs-To RE

II
he KNOWN THE FACTs-To RE
ENTER THE GUARD.
General Frederick c. McLewees friends will
he clad TO know that the wrong which was done
70 him in December. 1896, few hours before
the expiration Of his term Of office as Inspector
General has been righted. Ex-Governor Morton.
who dismissed him the advice of men who
souirrned under the penetrating light of crit
clsm has made amends for his action.
The Tribune said some weeks ago that ex-
Governor Morton had the matter under serious
consideration. and this confirmed when
General McLewee received the following letter.
written at Mr.. Morton's home. No ISL Fifth
ave and dated March "a
Dear General: regret the delay that has oc
CURED IN endeayoring to adjust the matters IN
from office as Inspector General and. without
going into details regarding these efforts. l beg
10 advise you OF the situation as follows:
| wrote TO Governor Black December 20 CIV
irg him a general statement OF the facts In that
letter requested the Governor to revoke much
OF my order Of December 81, 1886 as removed you
make su>h revocation. and to direct that full and
Governor Black Is doubtful Of his power revoke
the ordec, and has been so advised by competent
end vii be issued to you upon application made
by yon In my letter 10 the Governor ! stated
removal order OF facts and conditions which have
since come 70 my knowledge would not have re- e.
that YOU had served almost twenty-five years In
the National Gu9rd the completion o. winch periCa
medal. so much priced by the members OF the
In View OF the opinion OF competent Judges in the
military service OF the State that YOU were II, a
spector -General. now desire that opportunity be
Se ana TO Jo this mark Of distinction
fui and honorable discharge VIII be accordea you you
viii have no driculty in obtaining appointment
that will enable YOU TO complete your fun twenty
I'VE wars % S'''''e '0"'' LEVI P. MORTON
on receipt OF the letter General McLewee made
application to Governor Black for full and
honorable discharge under the provisions OF the
Military Code. Article VI Section SO. He might
have done this Immediately after being relieved.
but he refused 10 do so before he had been
vndicated.
General MCLewee was Inspector-General on
the staff Of Governor Morton from January,
1895. till December 81. 1896 and was removed
from Office ten hours before the expiration of
his term Of office No charges were preferred
against him. no time was allowed for court
martial and the first intimation General Nc
Lewee had that he had been dropped from the
Governors military household a telegram
which was sent 10 him seven hours after the
removal had been ordered. 1t came so late that
by the quickest means Of transportation he
could not have reached headquarters at Albany
I'm time 10 protest before the term OF the Gov
ernor had expired.
That night the retiring Governor entertained
his staff at dinner at the Fort Orange Club at
Albany. and General McLewee had accepted
an invitation to be present
The dismissal OF General McLewee caused a
profound sensation throughout National Guard
circles because the General was we'll and faVora-
bly, known throughout the state. and had the
highest Endorsements officer when ne
aspired for the Office which he obtained from
Governor Morton The explanation for the &C
ton Of the Governor came after the General mao
been removed and was based on the fact that
General McIewee had given his report TO the
public before II had been delivered TO the Al
jutant- General General McLewee has always
said that this technicality was a mere blind, and
that the real cause the fact that the In
spector- General, in the discharge OF his duty and
well within the law, had told truths which
reflected discredit upon some Of the members OF
management at state camps. neglect or on1cial
duty at headquarters, the prostitution OF the
National Guard uniform, the abuse of the medal
and general drifting toward display and gold
lace the cost of the real duties OF the GUARDS
man The Tribune took sides with General
NcIewee against the men who prosecuted him
for performing his duty. and predicted long ago
that Ex-Governor Morton would see that justice
was done in the matter.
General McLeWee, when seen said that he had
nothing 10 say on the subject Of the letter ex-
cept that he was glad that matters had taken
the right turn Il feel grateful to Governor
Morton for the manly stand he has taken. and
he knows that al time have blamed him
for the wrong which done to me. know
also that the action Of The Tribune in my be-
half did much to bring about my yindicauon.
When my full and honorable discharge is re-
ceived ] shall act upon Governor MOrtons sug-
eestjon and re-enter the Guard and earn my
twenty-five years medal