National Republican., 1880-05-31
WHlTTAKER'S CASE ENDED.
The Conclusion of the Court An
n0unCed.
ScYon ucasons for EclicvinG the oIutilntIon
ScIr-lnnicted--No Oihor Person Could
Have Dono It-No Ono Had IA aIo-
tive 10 DO It--ProE Crconer
Defends His Friend
What He Says.
Finding. and opinion OF The Court.

First-'rho court is unable to believe that
such slight wounds as Cadet Whitaker re-
ccivcd could lavo been inflicted By the per-
sous in tho manner aud under the cicuin-
stances described by him.
Second 1t does not see why man with his
surroundings and iu his condition and frame Of
mind as shown by his own evidence, should
have submitted TO an assault, such us is al
legged, without summoming assistance during
the assault or Immediately thereafter
Third-It bolia"es n person tied Gs he was
and left as ho clpims to have bocn could have
readily released himself. should he exert him
self to do so.
Four;h--Froni tho testimony of tho rest
surgeon and others tho court Is compelled 10
believe that Cadet Whitaker was neither
asleep nor insensible when he was examined
on tho morning Of April q, but that lie was
feigniDg.
Flth--rhe court Is not able 10 discover any
motive that any person othor than Cadet
Whitaker could have had in making such
an assault, aud thore is no evidence whatever
to warrant the boliofthat any other person did
mako il.
5ixth--It believes that the hair clipping, tho
flesh cutting and the binding could all have
been accomplished by Cadet Whitaker him
self.
Seventh-Tho theory that the note of warn.
ing is an imitation Of Cadet Whitttker's writ
ing Is, In the opinion OF the court untonable.
The severe tests TO which the experts in
handwriting were subjected and their positive
testimony place it beyond doubt that Cadet
Whitaker himself wrote tho note of warning,
and therefore that hG Is not ignorant of tho
person or persons engaged In the affair. This
latter conclusion is strengthened by tho fact
that onC-haltOf the sheet Of paper on which
this note is written vas found in Cadet Whit
takers possession.
Opinion: Amer the strong array Of circum-
slautih evidence from the testimony OF tho
experts in handwriting, aud from the con-
iicting statements OF Cadet Whitaker and
lack Of vcracity cvirc0d by him in certain
cases during tho inquiry rs shown by the cvi-
dpncc, the court is OF the opinion that the inn
putstion upon the character of Cadet Whitaker
referred to in the order convening the court in
the official reports of the commandant Of
cadets and the post surgeon il fully sustained.
When the report was sent to General Scho-
field and carefully read Ivy him, ho caused
lettor to be addressed to Colonel Lazele, COM
mandant of tho corps of cadets, directing tho
arrest of Cadet Whitaker, and placing him in
confinement in his room The order was
promptly carried out, and Whitaker will ro-
main under arrest until this case is disposed
OF. and guard will keep him under survoi-
| lance. An officer OF high rank being asked
what disposition would be made OF him if tho
findings OF tho court are approved by the war
| department, replied "If lie was non-coIn-
missioncd officer, he would be tried by court
martial, as urged by Recorder Sears ia bis ad-
1rcss to too court But il is probable that if the
| president approves he will bo dismissed from
| tho academy or be turned ovor TO tho civil au-
| tEoritics." Whitaker still protests his iuno-
cence. The finding OF the court will bo for.
wardcd TO tho war department TO. night 10y
mail