The National tribune., 1906-06-28
THE CASE OF JUDGE MexENN..

! in the case of Judge McKenna, of Pitts
burg. who recently resigned his posi-
ton as Judge of the United States Court
fcr Porto Rico for the sufficient reason
that he had served for two years in
tropical climate, was suffering from the
consequences and desired to return to his
home and the healthier climate of Pitts
burg. Presumably leading papers Joined
with the others in publishing the most
| b&seiess stories that Judge McKenna's
resignation had been compulsory. and
| charges These reports excited the ut
most indignation in Pittsburg among all
! ciGsSes of citizens who had known and
esteemed Judge McKenna all his life.
They were familiar with his life and
character from boyhood, and knew how
well he had borne himself in every re-
ldlion, as a boy. a young soldier i'll one
of Fennsylvania's best fighting regi-
merits, as a citizen and as a member
of the bar. The veterans of western
Pennsylvania were particularly indig-
nant, because Judge McKenna is a lead
er among them, has always kept IN
close touch with them and he is hon
tives. The following is Judge McKenna's
record from the archives of Gen. Alex
ander Hays Post of Pittsburg:
Enlisted at Pittsburg as private at
age of 16 and served nearly four years
| in the 1J5th Pa, carrying a musket in
| the ranks at Antietam, Fredericksburg,
1 L
where he was promoted by Gen. G. X.
Warren, commanding Fifth Corps. on
! recommendation of his regimental COM
mander, the late Gen. A. l.. Pearson, for
| gallant and meritorious services in ac-
| tions of the Army of the Potomac. Com
| rade McKenna was on duty VITA Gen.
| Warren al the battle of Five Forks, and
witnessed the celebrated scene between
Gen. Sheridan and Gen. Warren occur
ring after the close of the battle, by
| which Gen. Warren was relieved and
| superseded by Gen. Griffin as command
| er of the Fifth Corps. Comrade
| McIienna continued to serve on the
staff of Gen. Griffin, who few days
later at Appomattox received the first
/ Confederate flag of truce on the day Of
/ the surrender of Lees army. Comra1e
| McKenna returned with the survivors
Of his regiment to Pittsburg. and after
| the war read law, and was in the sue
cessful practice of his profession in
June, 1904, when President Roosevelt.
on recommendation of Senator Knox
and Representatives Dalzell and
| Graham. of Pittsburg, appointed him
| United States District Judge for Porto
| Rico. Judge McKenna is a charter
member of Gen. Alexander Hays Post,
G. A. R., Department of Pennsylvania,
| and also of the Union Veteran Legion
| of Pittsburg. of which organization he
has served as Colonel. He had also
served as A. d. C. on the staff of Ma
tional Commander on Memorial Days
| and at Campfires and Reunions, and
4 has always been in demand as Speak
| er."
The 155th Pa. was a notable regi-
ment 1t was recruited at Pittsburg
and vicinity in August. 1862. and on
| reaching Washington was assigned tc
Allabach's Brigade of Humphreys Di-
vision, Fifth Corps, and was engaged in
Humphreys bloody assault on Marye's
Heights. Altogether it lost out of ], 1,523,
total enrolment, 142 killed and 112
died of disease. accidents. in prison,
etc. The total loss of killed and wound
ed was 519 and 10 died in prison. max
i ing more than one-third of its number.
/ It's severest loss was in the assault on
Petersburg, where 1t particularly dis
tinguished itself, and was complimented
Appomattox and pressing the enemy
when the white flag was raised.
Judge McKenna mailed his resigna-
lion before leaving San Juan, and was
astounded upon his arrival in this coun-
try at finding a flood OF lying reports In
circulation in regard to the reasons that
irpeiitd him to resign. He immediate
ly wrote to the President calling his at
tention to these, and saying that II
there had been any charges filed against
him he desired to have his resignation
withdrawn and be given an opportunity
to meet them. In reply the Judge is-
ceiveu the following letter from the
President:
MY Dear Judge: have no idea who
+ could have been responsible for these
newspaper articles. They certainly came
from no one whom I know. Your res
ignation was rendered and accepted
without any charge being made against
4 you, and purely because you of your
own initiative sent it. Sincerely yours,
Theodore Roosevelt"
Col. Byron w. Bates, who Is on the
staff of Commander-in-Chief Tanner for
Porto Rico, was among the first Amer
leans to locate in Porto Rico after Gen
Miles occupied the Island. Col. Bates
was clerk of the first Military Court OF
the United States in Porto Rico, beng
appointed thereto by the late Gen. Guy
V. Henry. Subsequently and till within
a few months ago Col. Bates was Secre-
tary to the Executive Council of Porto
Rico. Previous to going to Porto Rico
he had been prominent in business cir
cles in California, and was always an
active member of the Grand Army of
the Republic. In an official letter he
writes:
i indicative of the standing of Judge
McKenna with the attorneys of the Fed
eral Bar in Porto Rico was the recent
presentation of highly complimentary
address and a life-siZed framed pho
tograph of the Judge by Hon. Herminio
Diaz, Vice President of the Bar Asso-
citation, and Coll-Cuchi, also a promi-
nent member. The Porto Rican Legis-
!, lature at last session unanimously voted
appropriation Of $4,000 to be used by
Judge McKenna in equipping and dec
Grating the United States Courtrooms
which improvement has been thorough
ly complied with to the great beautify-
ing and advantage of the Court quar-