National Republican., 1880-04-17
CADET WHITTAKER'S CASE.
Commandant LazeIIe's Story Of His
investigation.
Hon. Martin 7. Townsend OmoIally Before
the Board-How the Inquiry was Con-
ductod-Au Based on the Theory
Of Whittalter's Guilt-No one
Else Who Would Admit
tho Crime, Etc.
A Wonderful neteot;ro omoor.


WEST POINT, N. Y, April 16.--At the OPEN
ing Of tho Whitaker case to-day the recorder
read an official letter defining the Hon. Mar
tin ]. Townsond's position before the court as
adviser and counsel for the recorder.
The first witness called was Commandant
LaZelle, of tho corps of cadets. He testified as
to tho orders he received to investigate tho
Whitaker case and how he procoodcd he
called each cadet of tho corps before him, put
him on his honor, and each one denied all
knowledge of the affair; lie examined the
pieces of belt with which Whitaker was
bound, but found no marks on them which
would give any clue to the perpetrators; he
went TO Wbittakers room, and with tho free
consent of Whitaker examined his correspond
once, and also compared the handkerchIefs In
his possession, but found none 10 correspond
with that found in Whittakers room; ho had
tho building searched to- sec If any ciii-
Zeu's clothing could DO found; In n pack
age brought by Whitaker from the laundry
no found two handkcrchicfs which corrc-
spondcd with the bloody handkerchief he
was at the hospital when Whitaker was cx.
amined and saw no bruises on him; rs tho
result of tho Investigation he made n written
report, based upon such thorough invostiga-
tion as the limited time would permit When
asked to state what he saw and heard when
he entered Wllttakcr's room he detailed the
story already told by the previous witnesses.
Whitaker said he did not recognize any of
his assailants us cadets, but they seemed to be
familiar with things in his room. Whitaker
said that SO far as he know no handn't IN
enemy in the corps 1t was by order OF the
witness that Whittakor's room was clcanssd
after the affair occurred.
AT the afternoon session Lazoll's examina
tion was resumed. He gave additional reasons
why he thought Whitaker was shamming, and
estimated tho amount of blood lost by Whit
takcr us n gill. He WAS strongly impressed
with the idea that the handwriting of Whit
takor compares with the handwriting of the
note ofwarnng. The finding of tho nccl.tie
was, he thought, against Whitaker, because
no person in civilians dress would have
brought it there. Whittaker's manner since
the occurrence has been OF uniform frankness
and enthusiastically so, and so have all the
cadets been frank aud candid. He thought
Whitaker could have freed himself aud had
moral aud physical courage; all the pecuiar.
ties of his case could have been tho result OF
practice. Ho had no reason to doubt Whit
takers veracty outside of this affair. He be-
lieved that If the civilians had committed the
deed they would have brought the cords to
bind Whitaker with instead Of using strips
Of bolts. He did not think the belts used
were brought into the room.
! Mr. Townsend questioned the witness, who,
in reply, said he thought vigorous kick
would have broken the fastening on Whit
takers feet. A man who would commit such
a deed would not hesitate to deny it, He
thought it improbable that one cadet would
do it aud lie; still more improbable that two
cadets would do it and lie; still more improb'
able that three would do 1t and lie, and yet
no thought that n cadet who would do it
would not hesitate to lie He said that II
| there were reasons why others should have
committed the outrage to drive Whitaker
away, thero were equally strong reasons why
he should have done it himself to stay, as
witness understood that he was steadily fall
ing back in his studies.
Adjourned.