New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-01
WHITTAKERS SCHOLARSHIP.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COURT-MARTIAL.
CAPTAIN sEARs's ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF Mr..
CHAMBERLAIN AGAINST THE INTRODUCTION or
CERTAIN wRITINGs-A GENTLEMANLIKE DEIEC-
TIVE.
Captain Clinton B. Sears occupied the witness
stand again yesterday morning at the opening of the
Whitaker court-martial. In reply to questions OF
Mr.. Chamberlain, he stated that Whitaker had in
his department stand" of 2.27 out of possible
8 up to his examination, January, 1880. lie did
better in that examination than he had during the
term and improved his position in his class slightly.
ANY cadet, he thought, whose mark was IN the
neighborhood of two. was in danger. Whittaker's
mark, however, at that time was such as to indl-
cate proficiency in his studies. From January n to
April he took a stand of 2.28, but at the begin
ming of the June examination, his average from
January 81 was only 2.13 The first time lie was
examined in June his mark was 2.25; he was ex-
amined again. however. and failed utterly:
Mr. Chamberlain-Was any cadet besides Whit
taker reeXaminedY
There one other"
How did you think Whitaker did on the first
examination ~
" Very well, although should have marked him
higher If he had not given himself away, rather I'M
necessarily, OH the first principles of the study"
Are you not of the opinion that Whittakcrs ap,
pearances before the Court of Inquiry interfered
with his studies y
Certainly, 1t was very unfortunate occur
"What did you think of Whittaker's standing IN
his class In April, before the outrage -
| thought he was in a very dangerous position.
did not base my opinion so much upon his marks
as did upon my knowledge of his ability, and the
fact that he had not been doing well in March as
before and also upon the fact that the class was
just entering upon the most dAhcult part OF the
work."
Captain Sears then identified certain papers which
had been introduced into the Court of Inquiry as
evidence. Major Gardner chen offered them TO the
Court as specimens of WhittakerS handwriting
and also containing evidence bearing on the case
Mr.. Chamberlain objected, and made long argu-
ment against the admission of these writings. Major
Gardner was allowed to postpone his answer to Mr..
Chamberlain IN til to-day. Captain Sears,then con-
tinued his testimony. He identified the scissors
found in Whittaker's room. DE had found single
hair on one of the blades.
Mr.. ChambeTlain-Did You identify itas anybodys
hair in PARTICULAR
No, Sir"
Major Gardner-It did not nell of hair-ou, then
"Nop
Thomas Fisher, detective of this city. who was
employed by General SchO6eld to investigate the
case was the next witness. He testified that he had
spent several weeks at West Point, but he had
learned nothing there in regard to the matter
although he had examined sixty or seventy cadets.
The COurt-Did these cadets know VINO you were
when you examined themf
us it usual for detectives to announce the pur-
pose of their visit when they go to small towns to
ferret out a crime 7"
ut depends entirely upon circumstances"
"How did you manage to see all these cadetsV
"They were sent to me by order OF General Scho-
field"
"Then Won conducted the examination in a thor
oughly gentlemanllke wayW
The Court adjourned until this morning at II n. m.