The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-04-15
THE CADET WHITAKER.

Washington, April 9-The Senate to-day had
under consideration the resolution calling for the
investigation of the alleged outrage on the color
ed cadet Whitaker, at West Point, and the debate
took rather wide range, touching upon the gen.
eral utility of the military institution at that
place,
Mr., Voorhees, said he was In favor Of every pos
sible investigation of the administration of the
West Point Academy. He regarded those who
had graduated from that institution with wonder,
as having survsved a regime of brutality on hu
manity and uncivlzed conduct. II have known
for years." he continued, "of young men going
there not colored young men, but white young
who have been driven away by the system OF con
duct on the part Of the students there, being so
dlsgraCeful that intend to lend my aid, humble
though 1t may be, on all occasions, to every kind
Of investigation, and to swell public opinion as
far as am able to assist in doing II, to humanize
and ciVillze, ifnot possibly 10 Christianize West
Point. That ought to be done or the institution
| ought to be abolished, II this unspeakable and
Internal outrage has been perpetrated upon this
young man, there Is no length to which this gov.
eminent ought not TO go for the purpose of cor.
rectng such an abuse, even to the exteUt Of abol'
ishing the institution. II 1t is impossible to con.
| duct this institution on civilized and human
| principles, 1t ought to 60 down, have attended
| institutions OF learning In my day, and know
that 1t Ia possible for young men in large numbers
to be together and pursue their studies and treat
| each other as gentlemen; but there is something
| in this seminary of war to inspire young men
with sort of taste for brutality that is entirely
amazing. Whether II Is because they are being
educated to war with their kind, or whether 1t Is
the fault Of the men in management, do not
know. | take no stock in the thought that this
young man cut his own ears off, 1t is absurd and
| ridiculous TO my mind 1t Is part of that sys.
tenn of outrages that have known committed
upon yonng men from my own Congressional
district when was serving in the other house; a
part of that system that makes young man fight
for his right to stay there while being educated,
Mr. Bruce-I indOrse every word the Senator
from Indiana (VOOIhees) has uttered. For three
or four days the newspapers have been filled with
reports as to the mutilation OF this young man.
Now the theory is advanced that this young man
mutated bir1self, III did, the country ought
to know 1t, and he should be expelled. But 1t is
asking entirely too much of me to believe that he
or any other man would mutilate himself. To
use vulgar expression, 1t is entirely 'toO thin"
We have for several days been discussing bill
that will more eftectualy christlaniZe and civil
ize Indians. think this senate would do well If
1t should devote little time 10 christianizing and
civiliSing West Point. For six or seven years
scanaalous stories have emanated from that jnBti.
tuition as to the treatment that young men sent
there receive. know one instance OF young
man who voluntarily did that which would
6uhDlo ulm W l6hVb U6Chub0 u6 was uuWlllluR 10
bR subjected TO the outrages which he obtained
In that institution.
Mr.. Hoar-I do not think this case ought to be
confounded as the Senator from Indiana seems to
confound 1t with ordinary cases OF hazng Haz.
ing occurs in the first year, not In the third year
In our colleges, But the treatment of the colored
pupils at West Point stands by Itself alone The
colOred boys who have entered West Point have
been subjected to course of treatment which, II
1t cannot be ended, ought to result In the aholi.
n tho fnettutinn iipnlf and In FpgnrtiDu In
some other methods for educating the officers for
the service Of our republic, The CoOred boy who
enters West Point, unless the practice there has
changed within year or two, is In as complete
solitude from the time he enters until his gradua
ton as Robinson Crusoe was on his desolate
island. Everything which the discipline of the
institution demands from one soldier to another
neXtin rank, is scrupClously performed, but the
boy is left absolutely without an associate No
body speaks to him. nobody calls upon him in his
room nobody affords any sympathy TO him in
sickness or sorrow. Now, who would not rather
fight his way through dozen attempts at hazing
than spend four years OF his growing bOyhoOd in
such a solitude as that ? am afraid the instruct.
ors at West Point have rot tried to impress on the
classes there that the basest thing they can do is
to treat young coOred youth as person to be
exiled from all sympathy and associations Of hu,
manty on account Of the color of the skin This
American Republic, with Its four million colored
citizens equal before the constitution and the
law, will grind that institution to powder unless
that abuse is cured.
WHITAKER EXAMINED
West Point, April 9-The examination In the
case of Cadet Whitaker commenced at 1880
to day. Whitaker was first examined, his story
agreeing with his first statement He was on the
stand over two hours. He first described the as.
sault on him. reiterating his former story minute.
ly, saying the men were genteelly attired and he
couldn't tell whether they were citizens or dis.
guised cadets. He said he cried loud enough for
help for the occupants In the adjoining rooms to
hear him II they had been awake The transOm
over the door was open as was also the vRntilatOr
over his desk. He said the men had on slippers
or were in their stocking feet, and one, the larg,
est, carried either candle or taper He did
not even suspect who the men we're. When asked
what had been his personal feeling within the
month as to the possibility Of his graduating, he
replied ~ always felt / would get through" He
said that he never had special cause for discour.
agement before this occurred. He testified that
he had no reason to suppose that there are preju'
dees in the minds Of his instructors against him,
and that he has fair chance OF getting through,
so far as they are concerned but felt that his
social isolation has had an effect upon him so far
az his studies are concerned. When some pieces
of belt with which he had been tied were shown
the witness, 1t was revealed that one piece con,
ained eyelets, which none but officers belts have,
and Whitaker has never been an officer. His
counsel deem this important He also denied
the ownership of the neCktia found in his room