Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-05-14
COLONEL STEWARDS CASE
May Become the subject OF n Congress
sional Investigation or Court
OF Inquiry.
lWashington Cor. BROOKLYN EaCle1

of Inquiry.
washington Cor Brooklyn EaCle)
The curious and somewhat mysterious
case of Col. William r. Stewart of the
artillery corps may become the subject
of a congressional investigation IL not q
court of inquiry. Members of the Sen.
ate. both democratic and republican
have become Interested in his case an,
have taken steps to determine whether
as alleged. he is the subject of persecu-
ton and is figuring as an American
Dreyfus, as some of his friends con
tend.
Just now Colonel Stewart is on his way
from Fort Francis barracks Florida, tc
an abandoned army post in Arizona, sur
rounded by cactus plants. where he viii
have a command consisting Of one sol
dicr dying of consumption. The officer
has been assigned to this isolated point
because he refuses to apply for retire
ment. as instructed to do by war de
partment officials Senator Rayner OF
Maryland has written letter to the
President protesting against the depart
ment's harsh treatment Of Colonel Stew.
art and urging that the lattcr's reques,
for a court of inquiry be granted
An air of mystery surrounds this IN
usual case. Seekers for Information as
to the exact reason for the war de-
partment's desiring to force Stewart on
to the retired list obtain unsatisfactory
replies to their requests at the depart
ment. The officials there do not care
Ia discuss the matter, giving as their eX-
cuse the fact that 1t is under considera
ton By the President No attempt Is
made To hide the fact that the depart
meut has officially sought to force Stew
art to retire, and that his assignment to
command not suitable for a second
lieutenant is the result of his determina-
ton to remain on the active list until
forced on by operation OF law.
From hints and unofficial admission by
administration officials, 1t appears that
the war department regards Colonel
Stewart as "tempera mentally impos-
sible." 1t is said that officers and en-
listed men find it next to impossible to
get along with him; that he is can
tankcrous,' as one republican senator
was informed at the depa rtment. It ia
not alleged that he has violated the
regulations in any respect. or that he is
guilty of an ofense which would war
rant punishment. Apparently the de-
partment has resorted to the exile pol
icy" as a means of getting rid of an
officer deemed to be "undesra BILE
The first attempt to force Colonel
Stewart on the active list was made
some time go. Republican senators as
sort that they have seen a letter from
the war department to Colonel Stewart
aslirc him :, ,,n,v for ro,i-oro,, ,,
T., a..,,r,a,, -. 49, o.,,ra -.
stewards renlv was that no would no
u.irinc ~ ra,iro - n-o,,,,,d 70 ho o
br,ca,,ier ,croraI 7, is tbo crsto,r oe
tho do,ar,r,.,, N o,rarc,,,. ,,,,,ars ~
This sor, 70 rct,ro an ofi,or M +ra rank
higher ,han the grade occun,ed ,t 1.-Two
times NJ ,nrlyirr ror ro,iromc,t In this
coso bou.o,or !, ,Yas r-or,osod 10 tor.o
c,ouar, 10 ~o,i-a , , oo,oro, rbo 10,
tor rcfue.d tn emf off bie nav and auou
apcos 81, ,o,. cont r,or.iv 10 ,1,os, tho
denartmcnt officials AND said he wound
serve nntn rc,,bir,, ,bo ,og.l ro,i-.ror,
AGO or 80 in ,att
RenutIican eenoto-s doc,,ro t,r,no-
that a letter from tho donartne,t cx-
ISIS warning Stewart that II no d,d not
retro M. would no sort To -, .h,n.ior.d
army mast j., tho do.or,s ~ ,,.;.,,,.,
This threat was carried ant and fo- A.,
extended ncriosd St,Uvnr, was o,, dutv e.,
Fort Grant Arizona. with , command
i, is said. of one soldier afflicted ui,b
r,beroulosis A few weeks aro be wos
ordcrcd to comfortable most AT (,
Aurus,in, Florida Tho Florida cor-
prossn,on had ottcr MANS for 6,Iine tbis
,...i.,,,,,,..,., ,,l -, ,,,ot- -o,,,,.., ,h 49,
dcpartrport IN, other dav ordered col
onoI Stewart tn return To the ractus
pl,nts ~ Arizona "a which noin, ho Is