The New York herald., 1879-08-09
THE EXPELLED CADETS.
NO FURTHER ACTION REGARDING THEM TAKEN
AS YET-GENERAL scHorIELD NOT AvERsE
TO MILDER PUNISHMENT.

AS YET-GENERAL sCHOFIELD NOT AvERsE
TO MILDER PUNISHMENT.
WEST POINT August 8, 1879.
At three o clock this afternoon HERALD reporter
halted front of the cottage of Major General Scho
field who is in command of the department of West
Point and found him taking his sesta upon the
broad piazza and alone. Recognizing his visitor
as an acquaintance. he rose and politely offered
him an arm chair. and both squared away for
a chat upon the main topic of all
yersation nere-the post "hazlng." showed him
the Washington despatch printed in this mornings
HERALD regarding the probable action of the Presi.
dent and the War Department in the cases of the.
dismissed and having it before. he read it
apparently with great deal Of relish, and when he
reached that portion Of it which stated that General
Sheridan was turned back while cadet for making
free with his fists upon the face Of cadet he
laughed and, taking his cigar from his lips, ex-
caiined. as he laughed:-
.That's not correct about Sheridan. He was in
the second class and was private in the ranks
parade, and member of the third class that
day corporal over him. and while marching Sheri.
dan conceived the idea that the corporal insulted
him. but he said nothing till they broke ranks when
he knocked the corporal down with his musket, and
that what he was turned back for"
ACTION YET TAKEN.
REPORTER General. the hazing OF to-day
does not seem to compare with the haZng OF other
days i'll point of fun making and harmless mis-
chievousness
General ScHoFIELD-Oh, no! It has degenerated
greatly and must be stopped.
REpoRTER-It is intinated in the Washington de-
missed may be sent back here and be reduced from
the third to the fourth class the same Cadets
Mendenhal and Richardson?
General ScHoFIELD-No action has vet been taken
looking to such disposition Of these cases that
| know Of: certainly none by me.
| REPoRTER-Then if recommendation for such a
| course has been gent TO Washington il has not
| emanated from you?
General ScHoFIELD--No, sir. The main question
now being considered and to which all ether ques-
tions bearing upon hazns are subordinate. is not
what do in the cases of the dismissed cadets but
what shall be pursued to efectually pre-
vent hazing in the future, tor something must be
done On this point may say. that the President.
the War Department and myself are in perfect har-
mony. and all the bearings are being gravely con-
sldered.
the guilty from the third to the fourth class
and making them 20 their first years study
second time is very severe punishment for hazing?
And would not the adoption OF such rule
pletey wipe out the annoyance?
General scHorIELD-There is no doubt but that
such course of punishment would be felt keenly,
it would not only act as punishment by way Of
lost time and hard work, but the disgrace and hu-
initiation would add much to the lesson the cadet
THE GENERALS OWN YOUTHFUL FREAKS.
REPoRTEh-I see that they could not let you alono,
hazng.
General scHorIELp-oh. yes well. didn't care
when they published falsehoods the matter had to
be truthfully explained so that my position might
be truthtully stated But l what & has my hazine Of
My duty il to put stop to it, the only question
being, How shall it be done? and that doubt will
REpoRTER-D Do you know Of any political influence
being brought to bear to reinstate the dismissed
cadets?
General scHorrE1p-No sir; Iknow nothing about
nything of that kind.
REpoRrER--I don't suppose you would join In
1pd
General scHoFrELp-well, that's hardly fair ques-
tion to put.
Other conversation followed, in which the writer
understood that since the four cadets away
from the post their have not been officially
considered at Washington at all. tn. only question
being as stated above, How shall 'hazing' be pre-
vented i'll the futurey
General Schofeld feels confident that cool delib-
Grafton will reveal plan which will entirely put
rest the vexed question II is true that every officer
in this department is imbued with General Scho-
helds ideas against hazing. and they will hail with
delight any rule or law which will wipe away the
| disgrace forever.
CADETS RESENTMENT.
Cadet w. Allen, who one Of those who were
sent away actually believed that the officers had
right to watch in order to catch cadet hazng for
before he departed he said to the writer
.rrhe story ought to be told rs 1t is. The officers
have gone out Of their to detect this thing They
have resorted to dishonorabe means in going Sc
cretly to the sink room, in the of the camp,
and watch which was thing they never did be-
| tore"
He evidently was not aware of the fact that for q
long time before General Schofed, having heard OF
! the brutal and coarse attacks on the men OF the
fourth class by the of the third--attacks that
were british and cowardy-resolved firmly to break
it up. To further the matter the General succeeded
in having Lieutenant Colonel Lazelle detailed from
General Terry's department, in the Indian coun-
try to take charge OF the corps. Colonel Lazelle was
graduate of the class of 1855 and he IL a rigid dis
ciplinarian. and II was through his determination,
sllrewd manner and prompt action that the present
state OF affairs exists. When 1t broke out he had
nearly the entire third class under arrest because
they would not tell the story of the "hazing'' and
give the names of the ringleas'crs.
General Schofeld maintains stoutly that when the
! United States receives young men in this depart.
ment they come here with certain rights guaran-
tcoi them, among which is personal protection,
"and," said the General, when their personal
liberty is assaed the assalants no better than
highway robbers, better than tho rufian who
may knock you down on lonely road and take
away your valuables."