Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-07-12
GOVERNOR ON TRAIL OF
PINE BEACH POLICEMEN
Report Shows That Mllltiamen Were
Badly Treated and Authorities
Arc Asked to Act.

Convinced that Virginia militiamen
were very badly treated by Norfolk
county policemen on June 16, when
Lieutenant De Main and privatcs Nc.
Kay, Sclph and Walker of the Alex
andria company, were arrested at
Pine Beach, Governor Swanson has
taken steps toward having the police
men properly dealt with. The gov
Shelton, judge advocate of the First
Brigade. II lengthy report concerning
the arrest of the militiamen AMI the
trouble that followed.
The report was submitted with the
following endorsement by Brigadier
General c. &. Vaughn, commanding
the brigade:
Headquarters First Brigade,
Virginia Volunteers,
FRANKLIN, VA, July ., 1907.
Respectfully forwarded to the Adj
jutant General with the information
that steps are being taken to aid the
civil authorities in bringing to justice
the special policeman herein mention
ed, who committed the assault upon
Sergeant Koiner and other militia
men, with the recommendation of the
imperative necessity for the strong
est support OF the State authorities
and the commander-in-chief.
1.-The thorough discipline of tho
men and officers under, the very try
Ing circumstances shown in the re-
port and the evidence brought out In
court Is sufficient commentator of
their character and discipline and
confidence in their officers to main
tain their rights and protect them
from assault, although it lay in their
power to destroy these constables
dence: once be lost and discipline
was unusual. the most insulting
language and cruel conduct having
been used towards both Lieutenant
De Main and the privatcs. 1t is
quite apparent that the time is at
hand when the uniform of Virginia
militiaman shall be respected. If not
honored, and certainly shall not be
an invitation for assault by special
constables. The self-control of
Lieutenant De Main and his soldier
ly conduct deserves special men
ton"
Wants Officers Punished.
So completely do tho various re-
ports, statements and transcripts OF
the stenographic notes of testimony,
exoncrate the miltiamen that Gov
ernor Swanson deems 1t wise to go
still further in the efforts to have the
officials punished.
In this connection ne has addressed
the following to Captain X. G. Mar
shall, COMMONWEALTH Attorney,
Portsmouth, Va.
IL send you by express the report
that has been made to me by the DILL
GERS of the Virginia Volunteers III
reference to the arrest and assault
made upon some officers and soldiers
of the volunteers at Pine Beach dur
ing the recent encampment at the
jamestown Exposition. l also en-
close you stenographic report of the
evidence taken before the justice OF
the peace who had these cases up for
consideration.
"a careful perusai of this report
and evidence convinced me that the
conduct of the county officials in the
matter was very reprehensible, and
that they should be punished and re-
moved from Office. send this re-
port to you by express with the re-
quest that you take this matter up
prosecuting attorney of Norfolk coun-
ty, investigate it fully and punish
these officials.
If, upon Investigation, you are sat
isfied that they were guilty of viola
lions OF the law and misconduct 1T
seems TO me they should certainly be
removed. as they we're committing
violations of the law far exceeding
any alleged offcnse committed by the
soldiers. hope you will give this
matter your immediate attention
and best efforts" as
Also Asks Judges Help.
To Judge William n. Portlock, or
Norfolk, the Executive has addressed
the following self-explanatory letter:
81 have sent TO Hon X, G. Mar.
shall, Common wealth's Attorney. of
Norfolk county, the report sent me by
officers of the Virginia volunteers and
a stenographic report of the occur
renee at Pine Beach between some OF
the officials of Norfolk county ana
members of the Virginia volunteers.
81 would appreciate 1t very much,
indeed, II yon will have this matter
investigated. | send you copy of the
letter have written the Common
wealth's Attorney.