Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-15
FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS-,
WASHINGTON, Feb. IA.

The report of the Military Committee on
the West Point Academy difficulties was taken
up, and for the second resolution, recon-
mending the Secretary of War to convene a
court of inquiry, for the purpose of ascer-
tanning and eXpelling the instigators and lead
ers in the affair of January Sd, and properly
Furnishing other participating members of the
class, Mr.. Butler, of Mass, offered the fol-
lowing substitute:
Resolved, That the House of Represen-
tatives recommend that the Secretary of War
refuse at the graduation of the first class, the
customary furlough, or leave of absence; but
that every member of that class be at once on
their graduation, ordered to their duties as
officers of the army, and leave of absence.
except a sick leave, not be granted to any of
them for one year.
Mr.. johnson, of California, offered the fol-
lowing, as an additional resolution:
Resolved, That the House OF Representa-
tives recommend the Secretary of War to
commence court of inquiry to examine into
the conduct of the officers on duty at West
Point Academy, with view to ascertain
whether they connived at, and tried to keep
from the public, and the War Department.
wrongs done by the first class, thereby en-
couraging INSTRUMENTATION and riot0us con-
duct at the academy, and if found guilty they
be relieved from duty at the institution.
Mr.. Benjamin, of Missouri, asked leave to
offer an additional resolution, as follows:
Resolved, That in the opinion of the House
of Representatives the military academy at
West Point has outlived its usefulness, and
ought to be abolished; but Mr. Kelsey OBJ
jected
Mr.. Asper, of Missouri, member of the
Committee on Military Affairs, who drew up
the report proceeded to address the House in
support of the resolutions.
Mr.. Axtell of Cal, approved the first reso-
luton reported by the committee, because it
leaned to the side of mercy, but he was OPP
posed to and would vote against the second
1t recommended in fact the dismissal of the
first class of the academy, for in that move
ment there were neither instigators or lead
ers, it was voluntary, impulsive, unanimous
movement. He asked the members whether
they had forgotten the indiscretons and tollies
of their college days, and were prepared to
mete out to these young men the severest
penalty known to college laws-expulsion.
Mr.. Slocum of N. y, member of the
Committee on Military Affairs. which made
the investigation, declared that he had not
been in favor af the House entering upon the
investigation, thinking the discipline of the
school might be safely left to its officers, but
as the House had thought it proper to order
it, he had taken part in it and had concurred
in the resolution.
He. defended the officers OF the Academy,
but recognized that they had unusual difficult
ties in their way within the last few years.
First, by the admission of a colored cadet,
who had proved source of embarrassment;
and secondly, by the presence Of cadet, the
son of a man high in authority, who inter-
fered with the order in discipline. Ii he was
at the head of such an institution he would
rather have twenty negro cadets in it than
one cadet so circumstanced, and this had
been the position in which the officers of
West Point had been placed for the last three
years.
Mr.. Butler, of Mass, said he was inilu-
enced by no hostile feeling toward the mill
tary academy although the effects OF its
teachings had followed kim for years, and in
ficted on him more injury than mortal man
could ever inflict on him. He had felt its ef-
feet from the 10th of April 1861, till the Sth
OF Nov, 1865. 1t had deprived him of the
command Of the Army of the James, and had
sent him home in disgrace, and had prevented
him entering the capital of the enemy. But
still he was opposed to interference by Con-
gress with the discipline of the school. Com
plant had been made of the bad effect of the
executive interference with it, and now they
proposed to add to the difficulty by legislative
interference with it. He argued against the
second resolution, representing whata serious
thing it was to blight, as was proposed, the
lives of those young men forever. Ii was