Stealing an overcoat.
--John A. Tibbs, a soldier, appeared before the Mayor yesterday to answer the charge of stealing an overcoat; worth $150, from James P. Andrews, another soldier. At the time the theft is alleged to have been committed the parties were on duty at the Libby Prison; and therefore subject to military rule. The Mayor decided that the case was one for a Court-Martial, and that he would have nothing to do with it. If soldiers in camp stole from each other, they ought to be tried and punished in camp, instead of being turned over to the civil authorities, to be locked up in prisons, and the country thus deprived of their services. He knew that he had jurisdiction in such matters, but deemed it better for the good of the army and the country that military law should be applied to all such cases. If the charge were murder, or something akin to it, he would take cognizance of it; but in such a matter as the case before him a Court-Martial could readily punish, without depriving the army of a soldier.
