New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-29
Is WHITAKER GUILTY.

10 W El4I lAhEh OOAAAA
WHY RECORDER SEARS THINKS HE Is-sEARCHING
THE CADETS PRIVATE CORRESPONDENTS AND
DIARY-THE ARGUMENTS.
IRON THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
WEST POINT. May 28.-There was a large
audience present at the last sessions Of the Court Of In
qury to-day. This evening the court held closed ses-
sion, and findings may be submitted tU General sohO-
field tonight 1t is possible that they may be made
public tomorrow. Cadet Whitaker was present all
day, and his face slight smile while the Recorder
was testifyinR and was making his argument.
The morning session was devoted TO clearing up Incl
dental points In the investigation, and to inter
esting testimony given by Recorder Sears. The first
question that was taken up that Of the pair Of cti
zens trousers, which few days ago we're found rolled
up in the sleeve Of Cadet Whttakers Overcoat in his
room.
Lieutenant B. H. Randolph testified to o conversation
which heard between Whitaker Recorder Sears
May 81. Whitaker said at first that he had no citi-
GEMS clothing In his Afterward he qualified his
answer saying that to the best Of his knowledge and be-
lief he had none referring especially to pair Of trousers
Whitaker said that besides himself must have
put tho trousers the sleeve Of his overcoat The wit
ness further testified that the delinquent book showed
that on April II Whitaker was reported by Cadet
Hodges for wearing his overcoat at reveie.
To Lieutenant Knight the witness said that neither
interview did Whitaker deny having controband arti
tices IN hts room.
Lbuteuhnk NOHn lebllnbu lldJ Oh ApEH %, WHICH, Ho
to inspect WhttAker's room. Whitaker said that
there were contraband articles in IL.
RECORDER sEARs's TESTIMONY.
The Recorder then testified several interesting
points. He explained how he accidentally found Whit
takers trousers rolled up In the coatseeve He imme-
datey asked Whitaker II he had any ctizeds clothes
In his room. or had had any before the attack He
Piled that no had not at will call attention TO this
point" snid Recorder Sears d" to give the Court
idea Of what weight should be given to the testimony Of
this witness"
:" have another matter" continued the Recorder;
Whitaker testified that he made no offers OF money
anything that could be construed as 9n Offer TO any
or 10 the family or anyone who should come on here
TO act as his friend counsel"
The Recorder then road the following extracts from
letter dated Washington, April 81, $780, and written by
the wife OF Professor Greener:
"a thousand thanks for your good letter and the
many kind words spoken Of my husband Your Offering
only adds another 10 the many proofs OF your noble man
hood aud your deep sense Of gratitude and honor
10 accept the money YOU offer me would so dcbase
my and my husbands opinion forever to dOaway
with the noble motives which cause my husbands pres
ence with you to-day Feel beg Of you, that the only
compensation We would have Is TO see yOa the noble
To Lieutenant Knight the Recorder said that Whit
takers trunk had been In the third story OF the guard
house He had known OF no cases OF cadets going INTO
tins room 10 get things. lie had known, however, OF
cadets going to the Communicates 0co to see tue book
them - have beard" he said " Of Christmas boxes
beng purloined stolen. 20 use PLAN English But
nevor had one myself" he added.
" 1t Is generally supposed. said Recorder Sears CON
tinulUg MIS- examination OF nlulheiI AuhI COoIbu
dets nre the only ones VINO nave been osraclsed ~
West Point, Twant to say, however, that In my own
class ~. there white man to whom for over two
years and nall no one spoke ana WIN Wh0m no one
had anything do. Frequently he was openly naulted,
s1a in G 20 great was the desire 10 avoid him.
dually eliminated In his being drummed out OF cump 70
9necdote to show the fairness with which even those
whn are unpopular are treated On one Occasion t1e
hold Of list OF tho subjects tho examination and
hating one man extremely they nevertheless ieII tue
list IN his room for his use"
WHAT wHITTAKERs STORY SHOWS.
al have now a somewhat unpleasant duty to per-
form" sad the Recorder " I want to refer to Whtta
kers eorrespoudenco and his Journal in order 10 show
hs state OF mndand 20 suggest what regard rs req
hiinsNL have found evidences that be involved
In love affairs a. many other men have been before
lieutenant Knight objected to the Recorders making
any comments on the extracts " hich he might read
The Recorder said that he Intended TO show by the OK
tracts that WhtlukcT's mind was In very morbid con-
The extracts were from journal which had been Kept
by Whitaker for several months beginning with Sep-
a. showing how Whitaker was treated BY his insruc-
tors and as indicating tho hopeful determined way IN
when no looked forward TO his graduation. The ex'
First recitation IN chem Cchemstry) told that
nerTSe In drswiDS was told by Prof that my
drawing was ridlculous and he would not correct II.
A No gro-hater from what had before seen OF him.
al did very well IN 'math.' but in Chem was told
again that ny recitation ha vas Se 9 Fhe m
shall watch every act IN nm Of my Instructor In
He marked too low my merits and plainly 500 now
how be hates negro Poor devil snail pray for him
III I have not any merits in the eyes Of prejudIced
officers and lowtoned men, shall some dOy make my
merits shine by my am hated, scorned and III
treated for the sn o. OF being Niger But some
day win prove me worthless or not: No" -,
q" Did pretty we'll IN Chem: but the Instructor did
not listen TO half Of my subject Consequence low
II did pretty we'll In Phil but Lieutenant s. was
harsh 10 me account Of little err0r Tie seems ike
a good man and think he will treat me fairly"
Prof L. says he Ia going to ma man man
Everybody and everything secms against me this
year. and afraid they Will after all door me like
poor smith Ny lot Ia. indeed, hard Everybody
browns at and loves to see me fall aud all because
Pm anegrO-a white skin negro ~
To-day my drawing Lieutenant would not correct
approve my drawing; he sent me back To my seat
from his desk aud said no would como TO see IT, but dd
marked prejudice toward me and fear II Is all trump
Professor H. in 'Phi' scoldcd mo for slight mistake
and was unusually harsh upon me- am sure studied
the lesson ana cannot suit theln let me lall ono
day will prove all these things"
In chem Lieutenant j. was savage me. At every
recitation ne shows ny acts and words that he actually
hates me, but why cannot say unless 1t Is because
shall study to night until or o'clock. and here
after try TO do better under my harsh, pieudloed
Instructors may yet 80 through II they give me half
chance" ,. 49,, ,.. -
n subject or rather q problem, In no way connected
with the text $500 ,.
drawing daily and no says he Will not object. shall
see tho superintendent, also"
Whttaker's correspondents, tho Recorder sad,Ihad
given him much good counsel, aud his character had
been Of the best.
the Lieut. j." who Whitaker thought was against
him. passed him in chemistry, and I" Liout. g.
was the Recorder himself whom Whitaker regarded
hs friend. but who the only instructor that found
WhttaEer was placed on tho stand and said that he
a IN Mira