The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-11
WEST POINT TROUBLES.
The Trial OF the Coiored Cadet-The Military
Academy also TrInI-Oharges and COun.
ter-Charaer-rhe Cadet n1ob.

The question whether or not the colored Cadet
Smith had lied, in a certain manner, was the
small cloud no larger thnn O mans hand out OF
which has grown a court contest aud an outside
controversy which fully makes up in dramatic
interest all that 1t lacks on account of the alb
sence of renowned advocates and the imposing
scenes usually incident to great trials. Many OF
the cadets have vented their spite in jeering and
annoying the colored cadet.
Within few weeks, party entered his
room, in his absence, and shamefully desecrated
II. Within the same PERIOD stalwart Ken
tuckian cadet, of the next class ABOVE that of
Smith, aud the heaviest and tallest man in it,
visited him at his quarters and "took satsfac
tion of him" by blows with the fist simply be-
cause 'the niger" had not deferred to him at
mess as he might have done.
The Kentuckian was placed in arrest, aud 1t
was expected he would be severely punished;
but the next day 1t was stated that the colored
cadet had acknowledged that he had ''exasper-
ated" the cadet who beat him, and the latter
was released. The COmmandant referred to
the affair at parade, that evening; announced
the release of the offender, and said that "Cadet
Smith had acted magnanimously."
All cadets in their ''plebeian" state suffer what
they at the time regard as indignities, but what
they subsequently, profess to regard as very
essential parts of military training. Cadet
Smith was from the first dOubly ''plebeian"-on
account of both class and color. Lacking the
sympathy and society of fellow-cadets, who
might have advised him how to treat real
or imaginary indignities, he had presented
to him the alternative of trying to fight
Rs
He certainly demonstrated a readiness to
fight becoming in soldier, but he
appears to have sometimes resented apparent
insults where he had not sufficient cause. The
class which graduates next summer, last week,
with mob violence expelled three cadets,
expressly because they had practised petty
lying fraud to obtain an indulgence. The Offend
ing cadets were expelled, and it was hoped
that this action would help to justify the hatred
of the colored cadet, aud his expected election
from the Academy.
his own motion, TO employ no counsel in his
trial. 1t is stated that, in his previous trial, he
was go tenacious in his opinions as to the
proper conduct of his defense that his counsel,
Colonel Parsons, finally threatened to withdraw
from the case unless his client would pay more
Difference to his advice. In the present trial
Smith ie distinctly understood TO be guided
entirely by his own judgment as to the manner
of his defense.
The Judge-Advocate, Lieutenant Gardner is
very considerate in dealing with the accused,
and as was his prerogative, has now and Ithen
advised him against pressing certain questions.
| Smith, however, generally insists, and the
| Judge-Advocate can but receive the written
| questions. PROFOUND them, and then paste
| them in the record. Yesterday Cadet Smith
| persisted in calling up the evidence In former
| affair with Cadet Anderson, which when it was
| presented, operated much to his disadvantage
| before the court, as be was hown by the report
ofa Gadet-Lieutenant to ha imaliciously kicked
| fellow cadet. The prose ntion will close this
| morning. The defense " n then begin, and
| will probably be continued through two or three
| days.
General Upton, after the recess of the Court
| produced the general delinquency book, and
| said that in referring back 10 the delinquences
| for September 8, 1870, this report is entered
| against Cadet 7. w. Smith Malicious conduct
| in ranks at drill P. NJ; wilnlly kicking ile."
| The report is entered in the name of Cadet
| Lieut.. White, For this offense accused SUBJ
mitted written explanation.
| WEST POINT, n. y, sept. 2o.-OgeilSe -"Malclous
| n q
| EGpedndttO'l--"rhe caoet referred to as having
been kicked has been in the habit OF trying TO trip
me at every chance, especially in ranks, and also
| In crowding me out of ranks. Dnring ths drill he
| had stepped on my toes several times, and when we
ObquiDg 10 the left in this particular instance,
| he came near tripping me twice, as he being on my
right could place his left foot in front Of my right,
and thus throw NE forward. so took particulor
pains TO watch his movements, and when he placed
his feet IN position, which am confident he pur-
posely done. Instead of stumbling over it / kicked
it out OF the way. had no sire TO have any trouble
with The cade, but when found tnat he continued
10 show his i-na,ure, considered myself justified
in putting stop TO it. There was no malice shown.
]. W. SMITH, Cadet Private
This explanation was returned by Colonel
Upton to Cadet Smith, for the name of the
cadet referred to as stepping on his feet Cadet
Smith returned it with the Endorsement that
Cadet Anderson was the one he meant. The
| explanation was next sent to Cadet Lieutenant
White, to be indorsed by his explanation, which
was as follows:-
'I saw Mr.. Smith Kick Mr.. Anderson, and at the
| time he fell back slightly and reached around with
| his foot TO do There was considerable crowding
In the company at the time, and the tripping up OF
Mr., Smith was unavoidable; The same thing hap
| pened TO other files. That he kicked Mr.. Anderson
with malicious intent have no doubt. 1t was
shown plainly in every feature OF IN his 4 face t;,
''Cadet Lieutenant "a Company"
THE CADET MOB.
General Pitcher, the Superintendent of the
Military Academy, has issued the appended
order In relation to the recent mob. The SEN
tence 10 regarded as a very severe one, and
amounts to close confinement for several
months:-
| HEADQUARTERS u. s. MILITARY ACADEMY, WEST
POINT, N y. Jan. 10, lsTl.-Special Orders, No. g.
i. In the hope that time and sober reelection would
impel the first class concerned In the recent
rsntable outrage on certain members OF the fourth
class, 10 disaVOW and regret their hasty action, the
Superintendent withheld his dsapproval OF their
moo-law violence until all the circumstances were
fully made known
From these It appears that certain cadets OF the
fourth class guilty OF violation OF the regula-
tions, and OF the law concerning veracity, which,
considered In relation TO recent similar circum-
stances, are calculated to destroy the weldeserved
and until now, the well-preserved good name OF the
Corps OF Cadets. While cOncedng that the motives
which animated the members Of the first class origi
mated from pTaisewoTthy source. no words can eX
press too forciby the disapproval by the superin
tendent OF the assumption OF power by cadets, unit
now unknown to those who organized, and for 6;
wears have governed, the Military Academy
Well may the enemies OF the Institution POM
| sneeringly at its military teachings which, afte
nearly four years, have produced in its graduating
class better fruit than this. While expressing
his bitter and profound regret at the cause ana con
sequences OF this most discredltabe anar, tht
superintendent Is OF the firm conviction that bu
few OF the entire body cadets hold the reputation
OF the Military Academy IN little esteem as not L
feel the deepest morticatOn at this exhibition o
mob law among its members.
ii. Until further orders the members OF the mrs
Q class will be confined to the limits OF the plail