Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-22

his wife and family about him. whose
companionship he is now deprived OF.
The reasons publicly given for depriving
Col. Stewart of his proper command and
MS exile from the world are puerile and
are unworthy of notice in any public doc
ument- One reason mentioned Is that
COL Stewart is a man who in civil life
would under no circumstances have risen
to any position of authority over his fell
loW-men. Such a statement, OF course,
must be but an opinion, and. if suscepti
BILE of proof. which it is not. it could have
no bearing on Colonel Stewards efficiency
as an officer.
1t is seldom that an army officer does
make success in civil life. For instance,
1t is well known that Gen. L. S. Grant
met with no success in civil life. yet he
was one of the greatest soldiers produced
by the American armies.
One "Wrangle" Charge Deried.
Again, it is stated that when in COM
mand at Fort Williams, Me-. in 1905. Col.
Stewart became embroiled with civilian,
Mr.. Gushing, and that the War De-
partment was obliged to interfere to stop
his wrangling las it is expressed) with
Mr.. Cushing COL stewart had no wran-
gle with Mr.. Gushing.
Col. Stewart put a stop to Mr.. Cush
ing's employees travelling on the govern
Cushng's Island. This was done because
the government boat was maintained for
the use Of people connected with the gov
eminent service only. and it's use by 9TH
ers deprived the regular boat that piled
between Portland and Cushing's Island of
its legitimate trade and traffic. MIR. Cush
ing in retaliation put stop to the gov
eminent boat using his dock on his island.
These facts can be the only foundation
for the statement that Col. Stewart wran-
Ipd u-ith T,,cI tho
Again. it is stated that when in COM
mand of the artillery district of Portland,
Me-. Col. Stewards quartermaster was
cnrlrt-martialed and sentenced to a pen
Stewards eyes, and that he faileu to de-
tect the officer in his fraudulent acts.
This is the first time I have ever known
the failure Of one person to detect an
other in the commission of a crime to be
crime or quaSi-criminal in it's nature.
Two months before the Quartermaster s
offenses were discovered, and while they
were still going on an army inspector
under orders from Gen. Grant, the de-
partment commander, examined the ac-
counts of this quartermaster and failed to
discover any irregularities in his accounts.
Trouble With Plumber.
believe the foregoing are the only rea-
sons given publicly for the action in the
case of Col. Stewart except, perhaps,
the statement that he had trouble with a
plumber. I know nothing about any trou-
BILE he had with plumber. Perhaps he
did have. Many people Go have trouble
with plumbers.
But in any controversy Col. Stewart
may have had with plumber is the War
Department going to accept the plumbers
word rather than the coonels?
The foundation Of the plot which ended
at Grant and the unwarranted humiliation
o fthis officer was laid at Fort Barrancas,
Fla. When Col. Stewart assumed COM
mand of that post he found civilian was
being supplied with fuel from the quarter
masters department. which was contrary
to law and ARMY regulations. and Col
Stewart issued an order that this be dis
cont nued.
This civilian, now become unfriendly In
his feelings toward Col. Stewart. had
some influence and found willing ears in
Washington to listen to his gossip and
tales about Col. Stewart who at no time
has been asked by the War Department
to give his version of anything said about
him or his official acts, and a full investi
CATION of which can disclose nothing in
any way that will reflect upon Col. Stew
art as an officer and a gentleman.
Mr. Pew writes that some official has
thoughtfully sent a coffin to Fort Grant;
perhaps to suggest possible means of
the removal Of Col Stewart in case he
persists in holding on in the service
against the wishes Of his enemies
CHARLES STEWART.