The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-20
KANSAS CONNENT
\ REMARKABLE DECISION

army OFFICERS are much interested
IN the results of trial by court mar
tlaI conducted at a western post be-
fore which was summoned a second
lieutenant of the 18th Infantry, James
H. Laubach, who was graduated from
the Military Academy in 1907. He is
dlsbursfng officer at Fort Mackenzie,
and was charged with engaging in
three games of cards for money. The
officer pleaded guilty to the three
specifications but not guilty to the
charge of conduct to the prejudice of
good order, and the court rendered
Its findings in the same way. Briga-
der General Charles Morton, the re-
viewing authority expresses his amaze
ment that the court should find the
defendant guilty of all the specifica-
tons but mot guilty of the charge.
me acqu1ttal is disapproved, but UNI
der the circumstances there is moth
ing to do but restore the officer to
duty. General Morton says:
while betting at cards and betting
at games of hazard by disbursing
officer are not by statutory enactment
made military offenses, they have long
been so considered and treated in the
military service, and courses of pro-
cedure for prosecution of such often
ses have been laid down specifically
in the army regulations, certainly ever
since 1863, and there have been
number of trials and convictions by
COURTS martial Tor SuCn OIIenSeS. II
would seem that If there was any
doubt in the mind of any member OF
the court as to any of the acts rec1ted
in the specifications to which the ac-
cused pleaded guilty before a military
court, the principle laid down in the
Saith Article of Wharf.-The custom of
war in like cases'-should have been
the guide.
eff the court regarded the amounts
bet, as shown in evidence, as too IN.
considerable to constitute violations Of
the 62d Article of war, 1t may be SAID
that acts of betting while a disbursing
officer. regardless of the amounts,
were the offenses committed"
This is the first case in many years
of the trial of an officer for alleged
appointed to the Military Academy
from Pennsylvania in 1903-Leaven-
worth Times.
CHASING SALOONS.
The results of elections held in cit
show many gains for the anti-saloon
movement Michigan added nineteen
dry counties, making a total of thir-
ty out of eighty-four. Colorado fur
ther narrowed saloon territory, and
Nebraska also showed gains.
But the fight against saloons is not
confined to towns. or even counties,
although the local fights are apt to be
the most effective; what the people of
a locality want is probably for the
good of that locality. Nebraska has
secured the passage of daylight
liquor bill, which greatly stems the
evil influence of the saloon. 1t is the
drunk who wants to make night OF
it, who usually causes the most trou-
BILE for himself and others. Florida is
considering statewide prohibition.
and even old Missouri is flirting with
that issue.
And there are other influences than
politics engaged in chasing the saloon.
Every week or so one reads of a great
corporation which has established
rule that practically bars the drink
ing man from employment. Most of
the whisky is not consumed by drunk
ards and the beginner had, of course,
rather forfeit his drink than his job.
And this system of teaching men in
forceful manner the folly of drink, is
the best temperance measure When
men know enough not to drink, there
will be no fight to restrict the sale
Atchisou Globe