New-York tribune., 1871-01-19
TILE COLORED CADET.

PROPOSED LEGISLATION BY CONGRESS 10 fI.h-
VENT TIE PERSECUTION OF CADET 9Ntii'- 1.,i',-n
STRONG TESTIMONY CoNCERNING Hl' WV
BEHAVIOR AND LITERARY ChPAcllI'
IBY TELEGRAPH 70 THE rRBUhHl
W,suJNGToN, Jan. 18.-Mr. Porter OF VIZ
ginia attempted again, to-day, 10 lhtrod"co nv %
House his resolution calling for an invesug'uoh VI ""
case Of Cadet Smith at West Point, ana u nave io
read which he had received from MI Clark oi haI'O'u
Mr. Wood objected, and Mr. Porter VIII ASK luo 'V'
on Monday next to suspend the rules in order 70 pass
the resolution The following Is the RESOLUTION:
Pesol,ed. That the Committee Military Aitairs ne
and they are hereby directed TO inquire what 10 ~
n any Is necessary TO prevent cadet James W. ~
tdyt I'm the United states Military Academy at Nest
Point from being nt-treated anu peIset - -
Sion hJSg y if apviS necessary TO redress the wrongs
heretofore practced upon him at said s % -
alleged on account OF his color aud said committee te
authorized TO send for persons and papers ana report 10
the House az any time.
The following is the letter from Mr. Clark feferred 10
above: ,,.,uou,, Tan :. 1871.
Hon Mr. PoRrER-y Dear SIR notice yGart iIo tbc
posa in the II House S OF sppf for wch Thank you
With all my heart. desire to give you rev nct5
about Cadet Smith soon aiter tN9 el9s9 Oi te T
visited her school, MY attention was eaeu 70 Io % poJ
smith then IS years old My teacher said That ne was
remarkablo scholar and possessed an excellent charac
ter The boy most anxious i9r an eGGSaTh, H. ie @
neal was so earnest that decided to do So lie entered
our district school, containing ll0v puIs, III eo d =
=
the close OF the erm he the best scholar IN te rs
class and received recommendation from tne pilcIp
to enter the High school, which he did IN the Fan & -.
fhe close OF the term he the first III nus cIass' 1
second year no entered the third class ana came ou
mo - besides studying German with PrOIess9r ~
Trinity College The third year he took both secohI anu
frat classes and, although he did double WORK. came ouI
with the best and was resigned most important pI III
te exercises OF graduation The Principal on the hSl
school saws that he the best scholar nc ever saw Inc
sons and daughters OF 1rs families are educaleo aI
this school. ,.,.,s orauo,+bo ,oost
truthful and correct boy in all his habits ana depo
thaL ever saw What balplaying skat ing, auu Vtel
omnseme nts are to Others, books and sudy Wee 70
He sat at the table with my groom aud gardener pOt
Americans aud intelligent men. His good GepOIthent
and gent emanly bearing commenced nln 70 eNeIy V2
here moth n school and church On tEe ISL OF Nay
sent him 10 the Howard University, intending 10 educo
him there During the month Judge Hoge, Keprenen.I-
five OF Tho lid Congre5 District OF SOuth 0h
him an appointment to West Point He desired 70 &c.
Gen Uowards approval Of the plan / offered put
Welded lie went, aud God only knows how lnuch he
has suffered from the day he trod that GROUND uil ".
last cOurtmartia have been there three times 70
after him lie would have left In July had it not Dee
for me- had interview with Presidents Grant Nhen
here on the I'd Sd OF July last He said Don't take
him away; the battle might as well be f0ught now as
any time" SO he permitted TO stay scarcely uay
has passed when he has not been assaulted by word
blows inflicted to force him to do something Tor whcL
they might expel him. beg you to continue your eI
| forts in behalf Of this prosecuted young man