Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-09-19
WASHINGTON NOTES.

Sergeant Mason Defends His Shooting al
Guiteau and Wants to be q MartyT-Re.
port ofthe West Point Visitors.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17-Sergeant Ma
son, who shot at Guiteau, has written an
address to the American people which
will be published to-day. The address is
rather disconnected and incoherent, and
was evidently prepared by himself. He
admits that his act was unsoldierly; but
maintains that he had justification for it..
He refers to Guiteau as miserable
wretch who deserves no consideration
such as q man is entitled to. Mason's
address was written in reply to some
newspaper article saying he would have
been guilty of murder had he killed Gui-
teau. Mason denies this, holding that it
would not have been murder for him to
have killed cowardly assassin who had
shot down the President Mason further
saws that he does not think soldiers
should be required to guard dog like
Guiteau, that while he and
the other soldiers were outside
exposed to ram and bad weather, Cult
eau, an assassin, was we'll housed and
well fed, that the guards are sheltered
from the weather and receive 500 per
month for their services, while he and
other soldiers, guards, get only $l3 per
month. He refers particularly to his
poor wife and children, and says he does
not want to bear the brand of would be
murderer for their sakes. Mason main
tains that he did right, and says his only
regret is that he made a poor shot-that
he did not kill Guiteau. His address is
not in the least of a whining or senti-
mental order. Mason evidently expects
to be punished and seems prepared to
stand punishment, but holds, in effect,
that Guiteau deserves summary punish
ment and that he was justifable in at
tempting to kill him.
The department of state is IN receipt
of communication from the British le-
hibltlon to be held in London of appar-
The exhibition will open October "a, and
the department has been further in
formed by the British charge d'ataars at
Washington that the committee has de-
cided to consider favorably all applica-
tions from foreign exhibitors throughout
September, and they will, as far as posi-
Bile, reserve space for late exhibits, so that
none may be excluded.
Up to the close of business to-day thei3'
has been received at the treasury depart
ment for redemption $6,s29 300 of per
cent. coupon bonds under the 103d call,
and SIG, 72l, $50 of per cent. registered
bonds under the 104th call.
The board of visitors to West Point
have made lengthy report to the secre-
tary of war and among other things say
that the command at West Point consti-
tutes military department of which the
academy is part and the commanding
general is superintendent instead of be
ing, as contemplated by the law, in charge
of colonel of engineers. With this ex-
ception the position and rank of officers
are in accordance with law. The assist
ant adjutant general of the military de-
partment does not belong to the
military academy organization and
is not essential to it, but occupies quar-
tiers occupied by academic officers. A
period of more than four years. expert
ence seems necessary to enable the super
lntendent to acquire perfect knowledge
of the interests of the academy, and no
previous army training is of service in
this branch, which seems to require the
experience of graduate for its success
full administration. 1t is a source of
regret that the assistant professors
of the academy cannot be detailed
there permanently, for this ser
vice, without interfering with their
hopes of promotion. The malpractice of
"hazing," which made its appearance a
few years ago, has been crushed by rigid
discipline, but it still fingers to some ex-
tent, and it will require the utmost vigil
ance on the part of the officers in imme-
date charge of the cadets, and the most
prompt measures of punishment, in order
to eradicate this vicious and unmanly
practice. The raising of various funds
by charging cadets percentage on sup
plies is condemned, and it is recommend
ed that in future no commission be
charged above the actual cost of
supplies. The surplus balances on these
various funds and property on June l,
1881, amounted TO little less than $780,
600, all of which is the result of the per-
centage system; and to secure justice to
former cadets for the levying of this tax
|. the board are of opinion that the money
should be devoted to some purpose in
which the former cadets may have an in
terest and their successors benefit, and
memorial hall is suggested, at West
Point, to commemorate the services of
such cadets as may have distinguished
themselves, OF died in public service. A
minority report, signed by three mem
bers of the board, has also been received
by the secretary of war.