The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-18

WASHINGTON, Sept H-Special.-The
,.sst,on having been raised whether the
Governors Of states have power TO re-
volke commissions Of volunteers from
,ho,- states 1 asked the opinion OF the
assistant judge advocate general MAJOR
Morrison. to-day lie said the Governor
had no such power and could exercise no
,controI over officers or men after they
enter the service OF tho United states
HIS AUTHORITY.
The Governor IS empowered by the vol
unteer act 10 commission reglmental OIL,
GERS and TO MI all vacancies, but Deyon"
maj ne has nothing TO DO with them'
he said. go. .,..oos
All the military authorities sa" asleeu
,.yitb Major Morrison i'm regard 70 the au-
thority OF the Governor.
THE PRESIDENT ONLY.
The President alone has power to revoke
commissions and only then In the event
of war. The power was exercised by the
Executive often during the war between
the States.
The military laws are very rigid In pro-
tecting officers and enlisted men a.
with the exception given above there IS
absolutely no means OF officially dishonof-
ing any one in tho army from the low
EST to the highest save by court martial.
THROUGH A COURT MARITAL.
II VIII be remembered that I'm his gen
eral order No Is. General Butler sald ne
would recommend 10 the Secretary OF
war that he dishonorably discharge the
euiisted men engaged i'm the alleged riot
ing In the division hospital grounds. Wheh
tho case was being argued before 'H7
court Of inquiry Hon X. walton moore
Of counsel FOR the Third Virginia maze
strong point OF the fact that the secre-
.ai~v Of War nor any other person
Rad such authority and that dishonoraDie
discharge could only be ordered aiter
ecnfence 10 such punishment had Deeh
ordered b. court martial
NO LAW COVERING 1T.
There seems TO be no law covering such
cases as recently arose between the 90
ond virginia and Governor lylei' me
nineteenth article Of war might 90 50 y
the men were on virginia soii. put IL 90
NOT as the sSatter stands. This artlcle
reads. ,...... 81
d,sreenectful words aNainst the President
the vice. President. the Congress OF inc
1-rited States or the Chief Magistrate or
Tco-islature OF any Of the United states
in which he is Quarfered, shan De ois-
missed from the service, OF olhe. "i7N
rrnishod as n court martial may direct.
ANY soldier who go offends SHAH be pun
lshed as a court martial may direct.
AUTHORITIES DISAGREE.
The slxty-second article IS the only one
which could possibly cover the case but
military authorities DO not agree as 10
whether 81 would apply. II reads as fol-
lows.
All crimes not capital, and all disorders
and neglccts which officers and soldiers
may be guilty Of 90 the prejudice of good
order and military discipline, though not
mentioned In the foregoing articles OF war
are 20 be taken cognizance of by gen
eral or regimental garrison. or ne.d OIL
GERS court martial. according TO the na-
ture and degree Of the onensc and pun
ished at the discretion OF such court
CUBAN OCCUPATION.
Rumors have been in circulation for a
day or two to the eject that the War
Department had decided 10 send the en-
entire army OF regulars 10 Cuba and
Porto Rico for garrison duty. and 70
supply the places OF these men In the
forts az home with volunteers taken
from General lees command. The Sew
enth Army Corps. Acting Secretary Of
War MeiklejOhn said to-day he had no
90 a .rfI