Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-05-14
Petition to Have Senate Hear Case
Of Exnsd Colonel Referred 10
military Committee.
the PRESIDENT WILL NOT bUDeE
Emphatic in His Declaration That He
Has Right to Punish the Officer
Who has Done Nothing Serious
Enough to be Court Martialed for
fiorida's Position.

WASHINGTON, d. C., May ID
Senator Rayner in the Senate today
called M his Joint resolution directing
the President to appoint court o.
inquiry in the case of CHionei W. r.
Stewart.
Senator Warren. chairman OF the
committee pn military affairs said
he. would submit the resolution
promptly to his committee hut could
nor promise just how soon report
would be made.
The resolution said Mr. Warren.
lis not only reprCOf TO the Presi'
dent but it is an attack on the deS'
cipline of the army and in way. OF
- the navy also. This case has been
passed upon by many general officers
of the army from the chief of stan
down. Presidents may come and
PRESIDENTS may go. undoubtedly We vii!
have some one else in the chair after
The fourth of March. but there mus:
be di icipline in the army.
He objected to establishing a pre-
cedent by which army orders TO Off
GERS may lie held up by appealing to
senator. This statement accom-
panied motion by Nr. Warren TO, re-
fer the resolution to the military COM
mittee, a motion which followed a
suggestion by Senator Aldrich that
unanimous consent TO be given to con-
slider the resolution at this time.
The Questions Of Importance.
The right of man to trial be-
hn nft nd nf
the President that he holds cOnsti-
lutional office as commander-in-chief
of the army in which he is noe resp
Onsible to law" declared Mr.. Bacon,
ARE the questions OF importance in
this case.
SO far as the officer is concerned
he added, Il am not favOrably i'm
pressed with him. He has not been
desirable officer at the various posts
he has been sent to-"
Mr.. Rayner asked Mr.. Warren
whether, if the resolution should be
referred to the committee on military
affairs he would be permitted to ap
near before the committee and submit
some further authorities. Mr.. Rayner
said he had modified his resolution to
express the opinion Of the Senate that
Colonel Stewart was entitled TO a
court of inquiry and requested the
Presiden; TO grant the court of in
quiry-
Nobody Can Threaten" President.
Senator Warren asked Mr. Rayner
whether he had approached the ex-
.cutive with a threat that IL this man
was not removed from Fort Grant this
resolution would be presented in the
Senate"
Mr.. Rayner vehementIy denied that
he had threat ned" the President
only stating to the executive that I'M
less the court Of inquiry was ordered.
ne would offer resolution in the
Senate. AS il anybody could threat
ner. amid laughter.
Mr.. Warren said his question was
suggested by newspaper reports only.
Mr.. Rayner sugg sting tina: Co!One'
Stewart had been sent 10 a fort mp
i'm the clouds 2.6c0 or zoe feet above
the SEA Mr.. Warren interrupted that
many senators Iirci in altituies high
or than Fer Grant.
Five times. said Nr. Rayner the
President repeated IN his letters thai
hisireatment Of Colonel Stewart was
n punishment which he added. I'M
der the laws Of this country he has
no right 10 inf'ict yet he L. proceeding
by punishment TO drive him into re-
iircment."
WIN Florida Rejected Him.
Mr. Taiiafero. of Florida. had lot
ter read. showing that Colonel Stew
art had been ordered away from Fort
ST Francis. 81. Augustine merely be.
cause Of a protest nv the state Of
Florida. which has control Of Fort 81.
Francis. and no had received q let.
ter from the President IN which thu
latter said the punishment inflicted
upon Colonel 81 rvart was incident 10
the disripiine 81 tho army and con
Guiding by saving that as compeldcr.
Ir-chief. he neither could noTwouId
surrender the right To- exercise such
Judgment.
Ue expressed the opinion that =
~our, martini might be NECESSARY N
provide punishment for Colonel stew.
art.
The resosu,Ion vas then referred 10