Sunday Washington globe., 1901-12-22
THE HEMP SCANDAL.
A General Court Martial should BE
Ordered for Corbin and Heistand.
Eaifoy Sunday Glo6e

Eatf0T SUNDAY GLOBE.
Your article in reference to the investiga-
ton Of the hemp scandal, published in last
Sundays issue was very convincing, and
showed YOU must have been acquainted
with the facts as brought ont before the
Senate Military Committee, and with the
showing of facts Corbin and Heistand
should be ordered before a general court
martial and indeed, they should demand IL
if they are innocent, but they are not inno-
cent and will not demand courtmartial
They have fortified themselves behind
their official places and refuse TO be smoked
out, satisfied with being permitted to
draw their paw as a common thief is salts
fled to keep stolen property The writer
hopes that the committee will soon make
its report to the Senate and also hopes that
it will not be a Schley verdict, although it
is predi.t ted by many, but as in the Schley
case the people have rendered their verdict
and Corbin, Heistand aud Boyd are pro-
nounced guilty.
Major Hawks has sustained the charges
made.
And the committee is bound TO find
Gen. Corbin, Col Heistand, George D.
Meiklejohn and Judge James Boyd guilty,
ana IN the case Dl AOIDln anu AANlaAdNl dNl-
wise that they be court mariialed and dis
missed from the service as they are surely
proven guilty Of using public funds for pri-
vate purposes There should be an inves-
tigation covering the entire cable and tele-
graph business Of the government, and also
the transport service as well as the purchase
for the Government of vessels for use dur
ing the Spanish-Amercan war. A rich
mine of corruption would be found, but
then the officials might claim the frauds on
the Government to be mistakes made
through press of business
In fact the military committee Of the
Senate did not go far enough in its investi.
CATION of the hemp scandal OF It would
have had Secretary of War Root before 1t
and learned the reason why Major Hawks
was dismissed from the custom service be-
fore reaching his assignment to duty at
Iloilo, Philippine Islands, and If It was on
account Of his connection with the hemp
scheme as a private citizen and at the re-
quest Of officials of the War Department
under the immediate control of the Secre-
tary Of War why did not the secretary take
action against Corbin, Heistandand Meikle
John and recommend to the Attorney
General that action be taken against the
then Assistant Attorney General Boyd,
neither Of which has a more honorable
record than Major Hawks, and as a matter
Of fact Major Hawkes. record Is without a
CAV, as shown in the records Of the Com
mittee on Military Affairs of the Senate.
For the honor Of the army when officers
are proven guilty Of grave charges, such as
using public funds for private purposes and
engaging in business enterprises contrary to
the regulations of the army, they should be
dealt with in a way that would make others
hesitate before committing a crime.
The writer has talked with many army
officers and officers of the War Department
and all condemn Corbin. Heistand and
Meikleiohn, but almost always ask not to be
quoted, showing they are afraid to have
their honest sentiments known, as the gang
is o strong they are in fear that they would
in some way suffer.
II is to be hoped that the horses Of Genl
Corbin and Col Heistand may be bridlet
and led in the right direction ]. NJ. S,