The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-05-31

made very forcible speeches.
The Assembly adjourned, after the usual
evotional exercises, to meet at o. O'Clock
this morning.
Whitaker Guilty.
SEARS RECOMMENDS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
OF THE EXAMINATION AT WEST POINT.
WEST PoIST, n. Y, May 2S.-The Whit.
tsker investigation was resumed to-day.
Lieutenant McCernard testified to inspect
ing Whittaker's room in company with Re-
cordcr Sears. and finding citizens clothing
concealed there. This was contrary to the
rules. Lieutenant Randolph testified that
when Whitaker had first been questioned
by the Recorder about the presence Of such
clothing in his room he bad denied It,
but subsequently, he qualified his denial,
aud identified the clothing as be.
longing TO him. He said, however, that
some one else must have placed it there.
Lieutenant Coffin and Recorder Sears iesti-
fed 10 the same effect. Other testimony
was given tending to impeach Whittakers
yeracity. Portions OF Whitaker's diary
were read, showing that his mind was in a
morbid condition on the question OF color.
In one OF his entries he said at least one Of
his instructors was n "nCgrO-hater." All
the evidence beng in, the Recorder began
to sum up. He reviewed the whole case,
taking the ground from the start that all
the testimony went 10 show that Whitaker
was the author Of his own assault.
This statement made marked sensation.
Lieutenant knight tben arose and made an
able argument in behalf Of his client. lie
said there was nothing in the evidence to
show Whittaker's story was not true, and
that no evidence had been produced to re-
fleet on bis clients character. He held that
the note OF warning was forgery OF Whit
takers writing, and that the paper bad been
stolen from his room. He showed how the
experts had contradicted themselves and
each other, and demanded a court OF in
uuirv. The decision of thu court will be
handed TO General Schote!d tonight, and
forwarded to the War Department.
In concluding. the Recorder charged that
Whitaker had failed te clear himself; but,
on the contrary, the circumstantial evil
dence was so strong against him as to JUS
tify the Recorder in demanding that be be
tried by court.martal for conduct unbe-
coming q cadet and gentleman and FOR
perjury.
IBy telegraph
REPORT OF THE COURT OF ISQUIRY-THEY
UNANIMOUSLY FIND THAT HE WAS THE Az
THOR OF ALL HIS ALLEGED TROUBLES
WHITAKER PLACED UNDER ARREST.
WEST POINT. n. Y, May 20.-The Whit
taker court met to-day in secret session an0
made up its final report, which was agreed
upon and signed by all the members OF the
court. The report after reviewing the facts
and evidence in the case gives the following
conclusions:
First. The court is unable to believe thai
such slight wounds as Cadet Whitaker re
ceived could have been inflicted by persons
| i'm the manner and under the circumstances
described by him.
| Second. 1t does not see why man will
his surroundings aud in his condition anC
frame Of mind, as shown by his own EVIL
dence, should have submitted to an assault
such as is alleged without summoning as
sstance during the assault or Immediately
thereafter.
Third. 1t believes that person tied as ht
was, and left as he claims to have been
could have easily released himself sboul(
he exert himself to do so.
Fourth. From the testimony of the pos
surgeon and others the Court is compelled
to believe that Whitaker was neither asleeI
nor insensible when he was examined OF
the morning OF April 9th, but that he wa
fegning.
Fifth. The Court is not able to discove
any motive that any person other thai
Whitaker could have in making such al
assault, and there Is no evidence whateye
10 warrant the belief that any other persol
did make 1t.
sixth. It's believed that the hair-clippiDg
flesh. cutting, and binding could bave al
been accomplished by Whitaker himself.
Seventh. The theory that the note Q
warning is an imitation OF Whitaker
writing is, In the opinion OF the Court, TN
ttepabie. The severe tests to which the eX
perts in handwriting were subjected, AM
their positive testimony, place 1t Deyon'
doubt that Whitaker himself wrot
the note OF warning; therefore that he
not ignorant OF the person or persons en-
gagged in the affair. The latter conclusion
is strengthened by the fact that one-half Q
the sheet Of paper on which this note
written was found in WhittakeTs posses
sion.
ODini0n.--Afte the strong array OF Gil
cumstantial evidence from the testimony O
tue experts in handwriting and from the cor
fiicting statements OF Cadet Whitaker an
the lack OF veracity evinced by him in certal
cases during tine inquiry as shown Dy tn
evidence, the Court Is OF opinion that LII
imputation upon the character OF Caut
Whitaker referred TO in the order conver
ing the court in the official reports OF tn
commandment Of cadets and the post surgeo
is fully sustained.
When the report was sent to Gener'
Schofield, and carefully read by him, b
caused a letter to be addressed TO Colont
LazelIe, commandant OF the corps OF ca
diets, directing the arrest of Whitaker, an
placing him In confinement in his room
The order was promptly carried out, an
Whitaker will remain under arrest uni
his case is disposed Of, and guard WI
keep him under surveillance.