National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-12-24
THE WHITTAKER CAsE.
a Few Facts Not Generally Known 20 th'

Public
Tho review OF the Whitaker court-martial
brings out some surprises In the way OF evil
denCe, which the Associated Press dispatches
failed to print during the progress of The trial.
II appears that the motive usually ascribed TO
Whitaker fear OF not passing in his studies NJ
the approaching examination utterly failed.
me records OF the olassstanding for the year IN
troduced by Professor Grccner and admitted In
evidence, show that Cadet Whitaker was not de-
fcient IN any study AT any time during the
June 30, 1850. Take away the supposed motive of
Whitaker for clipping his ears and the theory OF
self-inhcton fills. In addition, we learn now
that the post BARRIERS, both NJ West Point and
at the court martial testified that Whitaker could
not have cut his own cars az they were found cut
on the morning Of ne assault The theory , OF
ing of the discovery. so readily entertained by
Surgeon Alexander, is combatted by the testimony
Of five eminent physicians, aud corrubOtntcd by
none, specialists like Dr. Beard asserting that oil
of Whiuakcrs symptoms, as oven described by
Surgeon Alexander, were evidences of genuine
Inconsistencies. In the matter OF similarity OF
hand writing. No 81" the cadet first picked out
at West Point by Southworih, the main Govern.
wnrnng, was shown to have more striking re-
senibances TO his penmanship than Whitaker, EX-
pert Simpson pointing them ont IN detail and yet
the court refused to compel Captain Sears TO dis
close the identity of"No Y" a verysrnngc decision
Whitaker was not fighter, aud his loss TO the
army may not be very great one but his record
OF scholnrslip as now brought out by the persist
ency of his friend and counsel, Professor Greener
shows that hc was no such ignOr0mus us West
iOint authorities would have us believe. IN
philosophy, In which he was only found deficient
after u second examination. he received from his
instructor aud prosecutor So ont OF Q, lS3 on u
scale of O. or 81 per cent. Up to June, 1880 with
no allowance mnde for his wounds, wear and tear
of mind. mental strain, &c., he had succeeded IN
Wrestling from prcjudced instructors II mark OF
2.l3 ont Ol3. In advance and review from March
to June he limped along, with CO per
cent, sufficient to pass any cadet Cap
tain Recorder Sears was Obliged TO CON
TESS Up. 1920 that Mt the June examination
he gave him clearly proficient mark of 2,2j,
or 20 per cent. II was reserved for Professor
Niche to give the coup dc grace lie testified NJ
the court of inquiry (p. 1885, 2Sh April 1850, that
he thought Whitaker would pass the June cxnmin-
ation-at least such would be his recommendation,
considering carefully the work he Ind done during
the year; but aitcrwurd he wrote In the North
1mcricdn RcrieU that he would not paSs, and he
made good his last prediction. Professor Michic,
not satisfied with the IS per cent. Of Captain
Sears, gave Whitaker second examination on the
Elasticity of Wave Surface" topic on which
he had boosted OF being able to floor any over
pert cadet, aud thus, and thus only, was the poor
negro cadctgOt rid Of so far MS the academic board
was concerned. This may be sharp practice for
West Point, and section 1925 Revised Statutes may
prevent Wlittakcrs reinstatement to West Point,
from which he has been driven by mcrciless perse-
cution, but certain IL IL that the American people
have not yet closed their ears to the cry OF fair
play, whether accorded to the white or black and
they will say "amen" to the verdict of General
swain and the President IL they have rebuked
West Point snobiOcracy aud caste.