New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-03-02
TIE CADErsH1p SCANDAL.

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The House of Representatives OF the
United States, on Thursday, virtually ex-
PEELED B. Frank Whittemore, member
from the First District Of South Carolina,
for selling his two appointments to cadet
ships at West Point and Annapolis. Ills
case was referred to a committee of nine,
of which General Logan, of Illinois, was
chairman. The committee came into the
House on Monday, the twenty-frst' Win
the testimony, which occupied half an hour
to read, and resolution, sustained by all
the members, in favor of his expulsion. A
test vote on ordering the previous ques-
ton showed the accused that he had no
chance, and he the next day succe eded in
preventing direct vote by presenting his
resignation, accepted by the Governor of
South Carolina. A resolution declaring
him unworthy of a seat in the House was
passed by unanimous vote, and thus the
matter ended.
These appointments to cadetships at
West Point are intended by the govern
ment as free gift, no property qualifca-
ton being required. The law provides
for the appointments to be made upon the
recommendation OF the members Of Con-
gress. The object plainly is to give all
sections of the country an equal chance in
the benefits, and the member of Congress
who so far fails to understand the spirit of
the law as to go out of his district for can
didates, or give those who can afford to
pay preference over those who can not, is
unworthy of his trust, and disgrace to
his constituents. Congress has wisely pro-
vided that physical and mental tests shall
be applied, excluding all candidates who
fail to come up to high standard in each,
but the poverty of the applicant is no bar,
and never should be permitted to exclude
any intelligent, able-bodied young man
from the benefits Of this public institution,
or deprive the country of his services.
Had it been the intention of Congress to
admit only rich mems sons to West Point,
tariff would have been established by
law, and the money received from cadets
applied to defray the expenses of the mill
tary academy. The custom, then, of going
out of the Congressional Districts and ped
ding these appointments out to the high
est bidder, violates both the letter and the
spirit of the law, and is calculated to bring
scandal upon the institution. We have
seen some feeble attempts to excuse the
conduct of mercenary members, who are
accused of turning these appointments to
their pecuniary advantage, on the ground
that such has been the custom of the de-
partment. The excuse is too indefinite.
and even if it were not, it would want va
lidity, for no custom of the clerks in any
department can be superior to the law nor
the popular sense of propriety.
AS for Mr.. Whittemore, we simply re-
gard him as being more unfortunate than
others who have initiated the practice, set
the example, and escaped inquiry for the
present. His exposure and punishment
will probably result in breaking up the
evil, for members will be cautious how
they expose themselves to the liability Of
q punishment which carries with it such
deep disgrace.
His expulsion, or resignation in conse-
quence of the disgraceful disclosures
against him, should not prevent the CON-
mittee from pursuing its investigations and
procuring conviction of the other guilty
parties. Let the matter be thoroughly
sifted, and let infamy and punishment fall
wherever guilt can be found. Let the
young men whose parents have purchased
their Way into these Institutions Of the
country be forthwith expelled; let the
members of Congress who have sold the
appointments be ordered to leave the halls
their further presence will dishonor, and
let the names of those guilty of such prac-
tees in the past, and who are not now
members; be inscr ICED on roll of infamy,
and held up for the everlasting scorn Of
their country Len.