The comet., 1880-04-17
THE WHITAKER CASE.

Since this matter is at present oc-
cupying a large share of public atten-
ton, we give below the remarks OF
various Senators upon the subject
MUTILArIoN OF WEST POINT CADET.
Mr.. Logan. submit the following res
olution for present consideration
Resolved, That the Secretary of War be.
and is h, reby, directed to furnish to the
Senate any facts that may be in his posses
sion in IT ference to the recent mutllatlon
of one of the cadets at West Point.
Mr. Eaton. I think that had better go
over. There is already an examination as L
understand going on in regard to that out
rage.
MIR. Logan. This is not an investigation;
it is merely call for information.
Mr.. Eaton. We shall be very apt to get
it when the examination is through.
Mr.. Logan. I see from reports that are
going through the country that it has been
at least suggested that this cadet mutilated
himself. Now, that is so strange, it strikes
me as being so extraordinary, that l should
like the Senate to have some information
on tho subject. Without giving any opinion
| i
of War furnish the Senate with informa-
ton; and then whatever information is re-
ceived can be referred to some committee.
Afterward if the committee shall deem
proper to ask the Senate to inquire further
into the matter, the proper steps will have
to be taken.
Mr.. Hoar. Mr.. President
The President pro tempore The Chair
| =. ,hatb ha GO of
Connecticut objects to the present consid-
Grafton of the resolution?
Mr. Eaton. merely made suggestion
to the Senator from Illinois that he had
better wait until information came from
the proper source.
Mr.. Conkling. What is the proper
source?
Mr.. Eaton. We know the Secretary of
War has not got it. We know that at this
time there is an examination going on by
the authorities at West Point; and therefore
it struck me that we had better wait awhile
before we ask the Secretary of War for in>
formation which we know now that he does
not possess-that he has not got.
Mr.. Logan. The Secretary OF War is
the proper source.
The President pro tempore. The Sena,
tor from Illinois will please suspend This
discussion is out of order until it is ascer-
tanned whether the Senate will give unani-
nous consent. Is there unanimous onsent
to the present consideration of this resolue
tion? The Chair hears no objection, and
the Senator from Illinois will proceed
Mr.. Hoar | rose to suggest to the Sen
ator who offered the resolution whether it
would not be well to incorporate in it $50
far as may be made public without injus-
tiee.s IS If there has been communicated
from the Superintendent of the Military
Academy or from any quarter information
rejecting on the chal acter of this cadet or
of auy other cadet as mere matter of sus-
picion, it ought not to be spread before the
Senate and before the country prior to an
investigation being made. l suggest.
therefore, that the resolution should say
$50 far as, without injustice, in his judg-
ment, the information may be made pub
lic."
Mr.. Logan. have no objection to that,
because that is usual in inquiring of the
Department for information. | have no
objection to that modification.
Mr.. Conkling. If the Senator will hear
me. I do not think it is usual to address to
the head of Department such direction
as that My recollection is that resolution |
containing that is always addressed to the
President, and is in the form of request
if not incompatible with the public interest
in his Judgment to furnish the information. |
But to address the Secretary of War and |
then leave him to determine whether he
chooses to answer, think the Senator will
agree with me on reflection has never been
customary. do not see myself any obiec-
ton to the resolution as the Senator pro-
noses it; but if he does, it seems to me the
better way would be to change it and ad,
dress il to the President and request him
if in his Judgment not incompatible with
the public interest, to communicate this in
formation.
Mr.. Maxey. l suggest to the Senator
from Illinois that it is possible this call may
be premature. General Schofeld, com.
handing the department at West Point, has,
we learn, ordered court of inquiry, and
that is the usual and ordinary method of
Investigating a question of this kind.
Doubtless that court will fairly and fully
investigate the circumstances, and we shall
hen have an official report, not mere
newspaper report, of all the facts and cir
,umstances so far as they are ascertained
BY that court; and when that report is re-
,eived by the Department the Senate can '
axe such action as may be proper. I
Mr.. Hoar. l do not see any objection in (
proper case, although it be not usual
because such proper cases do not often '
rise-to allowing the head of a Depart r
nent to withhold facts which. in his iudg- o
nent, it would be improper to make known. s
Iere is a case of secret crime of the most
ross and AMI odious description, and the Q
uthors of it are not yet discovered Meas D
res are in progress for their discovery. n
Tow, why require every possible fact, or .
uspicion or suggestion which may have '
cen communicated through the head of v
he Department at West Point to the d
uthorities here, to be made public? l do k
ot understand the Senator from Illinois p
for a moment that there shall IL
e made public things that merely raise CT
1spicion about an individual which further ia
xamination may show not to be we'll CT
Junded. In regard to this young man the L
lct of suspicion against him ought not to IL
e spread abroad unnecessarily. For that SC
JASON it has occurred to me that there can OF
e no harm in excepting from the direction te
lch facts as the Secretary may be of opin- ef
n justice requires to be withheld from the LII
lblic. if
The President pro tempore. Does the liz
snatOr from Massachusetts move an ye
nendmeut? th
Mr.. HOar. do not tmove an amendment; re
only made a suggestion. on
Mr. Logan. I have no desire except to Ia
t proper information. am willing TO VIZ
ange the resolution and direct It TO the RAJ
resident and make the addendum as sug-
sted by the Senator from Massachusetts, BU
as to put it in this form: THAT the thi
esident be requested, if not incompatible bu
th the public servics;" and then there in
D be no objection to it. sin
wish 10 say to the Senator from Texas
II. MaEeyl that the fact that court of ash
luiry has been ordered by the command an
I atWest Point is unimportant 50 far as be