National Republican., 1880-04-29
WAITTAKER'S TWO SHOES.
a Singular Method of Investigation
Pursued.
Ono Old aud Ono New Shoe worn--Thcir
Relevancy to the Inquiry Not Developed
-Whttaker's Standing Before aud
After the Outra SEC onlclaI
Testimony as to His
General Cbnractcr.
Nothing Further from Rynn,s Hotel.

Nothing Further from Rynn's Hotel.
WEST RpINT, ~ Y, April 2S-At the opening OF
the couH this morning Engineer Turner, OF tho
boiler house, was recalled and swore that he never
carried any note for Cadet Whitaker, or that ho
has any knowledge or suspicion as to who COM
mitted tho outrage.
Charles IIarer the boiler.house fireman, sworo
TO different language used by Simpson on tho
morning Of the outrage. Witness said the remarks
were: This will create great racket throughout
the country and Congress-" He was sure simpson
used the word 'racket," but did not hear him say
anything about Whitaker graduating.
John Fitzpatrick, another fireman, said Simpson
used tho word racket" This witness and the ono
previous swore that Whitaker passed the boiler
house ON his way 10 the barracks from the hospital
lie had new shoe on the left foot and AN old one
has in the case did not transpire though each wit
ness was questioned about II glosely.l Witness said
Whitaker limped considerably and the left foot
seemed to be the sore foot
| Henry l., Kendrck professor OF chemistry min-
eralogy and geology, was called To- the stand, aud
| his testimony was interesting. He had known
Whitaker officially for four months in 1873. and
since then from last September until now lie has
| had frequent opportunities for noticing him as
student his manner of recitation aud his qualities
as student; his application had been good. his
aptitude fair and his conduct always uneNccp-
tionabe; his present prospects in his class were fair
Witness said when Ee had charge of the second
room quite as much attention had been given
Whitaker as any ether cadet perhaps little norc.
those occupying high military and civil positions
ever said anything regarding the position Of coll
ored cadets at the Academy, witness said never to
his knowledge.
Recorder Sears placed himself on the witness
stand and dictated 10 tho senOgrapher question
which he himself proceeded to answer Ho is
assistant professor OF philosophy. lie testified that
Whitaker was one Ot the most attentive and in
dnstrious students in his class, and no not de-
lcient In application or study, but the witness
thought he was deficient in mental ability to grasp
some of the absiruse portions of the subject His
| social ostrGcism, of which the recorder said ha
knew nothing personally, deprived him of tho
Interchange of ideas and hints with his fellow
| pupils, and which was enjoyed by the white ca
diets. This was ~ some degree made up TO him by
his (tho recorders) nssiduity in explaining knoty
points, us he had stood as much as half an hour
with him at the blackboard He had also done The
same with white cadets. Whittaker's average
standing from the 18th of January up to last Satur-
day was 2.l6. When student fell below he was
generally considered deficient. although IL required
Tho decision Of the Academy board to confirm 1t.
Whitaker had remained longer in the 9TH section
than the recorder had expected. Ho came down
on the 10Th of March. At the time Of the outrage
he was ct the head of the 9TH section, and there
were seven white cadets below him. His standing
had not altered since Tho recorder considered
Whittekers present condition doubtful with
the, chances of his picking up in the gen:
studied well and showed a fair grasp of subjects
III reply to Mr.. Townsend. the recorder said
ZIG was tribe over sixty-six per cent, or
out and found to amount to six per cent, making
WhittGker's standing seventy-two, or being nearly
| do you consider seventy-two per cent bad
standing2" Mr.. Townsend asked
| The recorder did not, particularly.
In response to the court the witness stated that
| members of the sixth or last section were always
considered In danger and were generally warned
of the fact, still he had marked mon deficient who
Peter ). Michie professor of natural and expert.
mental philosophy, gave some interesting testi-
tendency WAS downward. and in January last by
the recommendation Of witness, Whitaker was de
clared deficient, but General Schofed recom-
monled to tho Secretary of War that he be given
another chance and he was sent back to the third
class and at the same time white cadet who had
been declared deficient was discharged. Going
back to the department of philosophy, Whitaker
succeeded in coming out iorty.one in a class OF
tlty-n Since January last he has gradually
gone down in his class rank, till now he stands
four from the foot. The witness added, however,
my impression IL he. will pass examination in the
the general review, which is the final test Wit
ness said Whitaker had little aptitude, and IL he
had been white cadet he would not have
progressed as far as he has.
Professor Niche said he had taken more than
usual pains with Whitaker, because of the SYM
pathy he had for him. aud because hu had no room
mate. lie said Whitaker has fine memory, but
| his reasoning powers are not up TO the average
no would graduate next year Apparently to show
why Whitaker has not been allowed To be present
during the sitting Of the court of inquiry witness
said II he had been absent from his studies from
the sth OF April till now 1t would not have been
possible for him to become proficient in his
Major-General SchOheld testified that at the
semi-annual examination in 1879 Whitaker was
reported deficient, and the board recommended
that he be discharged. Witness held Il conversation
with Whitaker the latter promising 10 study hard
and make up the deficiency II he was given
another chance. After consideration of all The
circumstances, witness recommended to the Sccrc.
tary of War that Whitaker. with two other cadets.
Hammond and Burnhan be given another
chance or be turned back. General SCho-
field thought this was q new invention,
aud that Whitaker was the first cadet
ever allowed TO be turned back but in one n
stance previous there had been similar case.
Referring TO the trouble between Cadet Whitaker
and Mcdonald, General Schoheld said IN substance
that II was understood by the officers of the post
and cadet officers and In the corps Of cadets gem
orally that Whitaker is under the special proteU.
tion Of tho military authorities, and indeed tho
country ut large that he the one cadet in the
corps not 10 be abused because OF his Isolated post
ton. An assault on any cadet officer would sur.
prise him much less than an assault on Whtttakor,
Howard A. Springer assistant professor OF chem
istry, testified that Whitaker Wal stuliOusly in.
clinCd, but to no remarkable degree Of aptitude
Since January his average has been out of 3.
Recorder sears stated that when Cadet Flipper
was in a class under him one day he ouIurcd TIM
room and occupied n vacant seat alongside Of u
whiteecsdel, when the white cadet moved away,
and the recorder ordered him back again In such
u manner that the scene was not repeated again,