New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-21
THE INQUIRY ATWEsT POINT.
A LEAR CASE on pERJURK

MISUNDERSTANDING TESTIMONY c0NFRADscTeD ~
CADETS WHO BLUsHTTGIx .CQHREss TO
BRRAcHEs OF DIsclPLINE.-cADKTs WHO WE'RE
s-tRsBNr oN5THg NIGHT or THE OUTRAGE.
(VRoN AaRRcIAL c0RKBsPoNRHsT THE TkTBUss.i
WEST POINT, N. r, April 20,:-Thez exam
nati0n of Highland FslIs sslocnkeeper was the nrst
business Of the Whstsker Court OF Inquiry this morn
ing. His name was Pbitip Ryan andsit was inhis
saloon that the soepe was Lid OF story ABOUT three
cadets plotting to ok the Niger just before the al
legged outrage. Not knowing probably that the entire
corps Of cadets be In turn after him. and
that those that had been to his saloon would frankly
confess It, Ryan stouy swore that cadets never came
TO his place. unlesa possibly in disguise, so that be did
not know them Dismissed cadets might como there,
but never che real article. -
This testimony surprise to everybody here, for
IL is known that cadets do sometimes run it High
land Falls aud that Ryans saloon s the nearest one TO
the post Il was to purpose far Ryan con-
eerned that the Recorder told him that he was author
lied to pardon any cadet whose name Ryan might dis
close for the purpose Of this Investigation. He stuck to
his story A lew questions ELECTED from him the fact
that he valued oath upon the Bible more than
another and that he might be sure OF being sworn
upon the Bible, Catholic Bible was procured, and
be was again sworn upon it-being q Catholic.
He did not however wish TO change his testimony after
having been so sworn he to say That his place
always closed 90 10 O'Clock, and that he never
there.
The rumor about the three CADETS Ryan said. he had
testified to nnmoer Of details in witch was after
ward fatty contradoted by the confessions made by TIE
cadets who had run the guard az various times He
knew cadet he could not tell cadet by his
walk or appearance he never saw Cadet Burnett He
acknowledged, however, that derived much Of his
support from West Point
Then followed continuation OF what was begun yes
terday-thc examination Court, under OATH Of every
cadet In the corps AS to whether e had any knowledge
OF the Whitaker atr. The cadets were all asked the
same identical questions, excepting when a variation
from the prevailing answer :" No." caused further
tne cadet his room between taps ana revele on
April 5 whether his roOrn-mates were also present;
tO have been absent from quaFters whether he knew
had Neen told OF any one WHO was engaged In the as
mous note OF warming; and whether he knew or had
beeu told of any threat ntmation that any person
would do Violence toward Or pracuee any indiSnity
Finy.three cadets we're sworn-three of them upon
Catholic Biblc-and answered these questions, with
very few exceptions, in the negative.
Cadet Burnett. who was officer OF the day upon the
night Of the alleged outrage, and who the first wit
in this inquiry, admitted that he aud another cadet
RiTNg bay and that RYAN knew them to be- cadets He
also knew VI other cadets who had been there He hIn
self had been there number OF times before then In
While Mr. Burnett was waiting to hear his testimony
has been given, Mr. Townsend arose and said in
pressive manner and looking harg az Burnett that lie
disclose at present which might make 1t necessary Tor
him to recall this witness But the cadet did not take
this opportunity to confess anything. The president
said thai any witness might be recalled. Burnett said
it could not exactly be called custom to 20 to Ryans
after taps, although some did 80.
Cadet Hunter blushlngy confessed to having visited
another cadet after taps, as did also Cadet Car
ter. Cadet Chamberlain saw Whitaker stop
and talk with Lewis Simpson while bis way
to the hospital. Cadet Hewitt had been to "Tbe
Falls" after taps, and knew Ryan, who also knew him.
He had cen there in UNIFORM He had hired horse ut
one time, OF which Ryan knew, when he citizen
clothing under his uniform. the latter being laid ASIDE
during the drive Cadet McGrath also withdrew from
Ryaus protecting testimony aud confessed TO having
been 10 his place. Cadet Viewer SAID he OF
quarters the night 10 question from IL O'clOcK 10
nearly H. but not within mile and a half OF High
land Falls. On his return be looked carefully for ghts
ia barracks but saw none III WhttakerS room or any
where else.
Several of the cadets testified TO having been told by
others that they absent Some were absent RON
the quarters but in the hospital They uniformly
testified that left the eosplta that night.
1t Is understood be the intention Of tie Court to
continue this Questioning tbrOnghUut the corps nearly
all tine frat class having been flushed.
A committee OF caCetS called upon the newspaper
correspondents, with the permission OF General Seno
held this evening. ask them TO deny, IN their behalf
statements recently published TO the effect that there
WAS late "A relaxation OF discipline. and Increase
lying, stealing aud other things that reflected upon
the LOnUr VI the corps.