The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-05-05
The Whitaker Investigation.

WEST POINT, April 2S.-In the Whitaker
inquiry, to-day, PIofet sor kenGriek bore testi-
mOny 10 the studiOus habits and aptne 5 Of
Whitaker.
The fireman in the boiler house te t'fsd that
Simpson. OH the morning OF the outrage, said !:
This Will create agreat racket throughout the
country and in Congress"
Cadet Turner, who was appointed by Mr.
Townsend, said he never spoke 10 Whitaker,
because he did not care TO associate with him.
1t is understood, among cadets, that they are
not 70 associate with him, except when duty
Mr.. ToWnsend-I appointed him on his
merits, and not as a favor. He passed q COM
peJitjve examination. 1 am not responsible
Being further questioned the witness said he
would effect his popularity II he associated
with Whitaker. such he said IS the general
feeling of the corps. He had heard the cadets
say so.
Recorder Sears placed himself on the wit
ness stand and dictated to the stenographer
question which he himself proceeded TO an.
swer. He is assistant professor OF philosophy.
He testified that Whitaker was one of the
most attentive and industrious students in his
class. He was not deficient in want of appIi-
cation or study, but the witness thought he
was deficient in mental sbility 10 grasp some
of the more abstruse portions of the subject.
His social ostracism, OF which the Recorder
said he knew nothing personally, deprived
him OF an Interchange OF ideas and hints with
his fellow pupils which was enjoyed
by The white cadets. This was in sOme
degree made up 10 him by his (the
Recorder's) aSsiduity IN explaining knOtty
points, as ne had stood as much as half an
hour with him at the blackboard. Whitta-
ker's average standing from the lStn of Janu
ary up to last Saturday Was l6 Ito. The Re-
coTder considered Whittaker's present position
douOtful, with chances in favor OF his picking
up on the general review end getting through.
He had studied well, aud shovel a fair grasp
OF subjects.
In reply TO Mr.. Townsend, the Recorder said
10 leo was trifie over t6 per cent, or two
thirds of the maximum. The trifs was figured
out, and found 10 amount to 9 per cent max
Ing his standing 75 per cant, or nearly three
fourths OF the maximum.
"Do you cOneider 13 per cent. a bad stand
ing?" asked Mr.. Townsend.
The Recorder did not, particularly.
Colonel Peter >. Mishte, Professor of Natural
and Experimental Philosophy, gave interest
ing testimony. While Whittas er was in the
class, his tendency was downward, and in
January last, by Jecomme ndatiOD of the wit
ness, Whitaker was declared deficient, but
General Schofeld recommended the Secretary
OF War that he be given another chance, and
same time a white cadet, who had been de-
clared deficient, but who stood higher than
Whitaker, was discharged. Going back to
the department of philosophy, Whitaker sue
ceeded in coming out forty one in a class of
hfiy-nine. Since January last he has gradually
gone down in his class rank until now he
stands fourth from the foot. The witness said
Whitaker has but little aptitude and il he
had been a white cadet he would not have
progressed as far as he has Professor Michie
said he had taken more than usual pains with
him, because of the sympathy he had for him,
and because he had no room mate. He said
ing powers are not up to the average. He
thought If he passes the examination this year
be VIII graduate next year.
Major General Schofield testified that at the
semi annual examination in 1879, Whitaker
was reported deficient and the board recon-
mended that he be discharged. The witness
held a conversation with Whitaker, the lat
ter promising TO study hard and make up the
deficiency, If he was given another chance.
After a consideration OF all the circumstances,
the witness recommended the Secretary OF
War that Whitaker, with two other cadets,
Hammond ana BOman, be given another
chance, or be turned back. Referring 10 the
trouble between Cadets Whitaker and Nc
Donald, General Schofield said, in substance,
that IL was understood by the officers of the
post and cadet officers and in the corps of ca
dets generally, that Whitaker is under the
special protection of the military authorities,
and, indeed, the country at large; that he was
the one cadet in the corps not TO be abused
because of his isolated position. An assault
on an officer would surprise him less.
The recorder stated that when Cadet
Flipper was in a class under him one day, be
entered the room and occupied q vacant seat
moved away, and the Recorder ordered him
back again in such manner that the scene
was not repeated again. The Recorder also
said, at a close of the week ending April 3,
two days before the outrage, and one day
before Whitaker received the note of warn
ing, Whitaker had made in natural phioso
ply llz IN a possible 10, when, as Mr.. Town
send states, 10 would do.