Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1886-01-28
HAZING AT ANNAPOLIS.
Curious State OF Affairs at the United states
Naval Academy.


ent to The NeW York Mail ant EgpreSs,
have been able to CLEAN some inter-
estlng details in connection with the
charge OF hazing, upon which three
CADETS are undergoing trial. AL
though the proceedings are kept
secret, l have obtained sufficient in
formation concerning the general ma
ture OF the facts, my informant him
sell being cadet who has been an
eye witness to several of the indigni-
ties herein referred to-
About half of the fourth class" he
said, center the academy in May and
60 on the summer cruise. The other
half enter in September just before
the studies begin. The May portion
OF the class receive, may say, almost
all OF the hazing, for after the studies
begin on Oct. |. the upper class men
nave no time to spare for such amuse-
ments.
What age are the fourth class
cadets?'
"From 16 to 20. the majority being
considerably under the latter age.
The cruise, however, gives the great
opportunity for hazing inasmuch as
there are no studies except of prac-
tical nature, and the upper class men
have ample time and opportunity to
annoy the poor class, as the fourth
class men are generally called"
"And how old are their persecu-
torsP"
"They are big strong fellows of II
and upward. Now, although the
punishment for hazing is dismissal,
and Capt. Ramsay, the superintendent
honestly tries every means to stop it,
the upper class men can always find a
time and place beyond the eye of an
officer to haze all they please"
"But have the plebs no remedyP
"No pleb ever reports those who
haze him, for it is considered q point
of honor not to do so.
"WhyP"
because, for one reason, it is
against the traditions of the academy.
Besides, many of the weaker ones are
intimidated by the fact that the first
and many of the second class are cadet
officers and as such have the power to
report all misdemeanors committed by
lower class men, and the hazers
threaten that if the pleb tells they will
get him reported at every turn by the
cadet officer, SO that, al last, he would
in this way get SO many dement's that
he would lose all standing in his class.
This is, of itself, enough to frighten
any little fellow unaccustomed to the
ways of the academy
Il suppose you have had some OPP
portunity of Observing the different
forms of hazing?"
More than like for my own com
fort. The milde>t form is called run
ming that is, eXorc s,ng unauthorized
authority over the Fourth class; max
ing them address the upper class men
as sir after nearly every word they
use; giving them to understand that
fourth class cadets are no better than
dogs; not allowing them any privi-
leges which are theirs by right; not
letting them drink milk, Il beverage
which is furnished to all cadets in un-
limited quantity; not allowing them to
attend any of the Saturday night hops;
nor permitting them to use the gym
nasium, except, OF course, when un-
der Instruction.
care these the worse forms of per-
secutlonP"
'No, they are the mildest. Besides
those | have mentioned, they force the
fourth class cadets to do all the hard
est and drtiest work on the cruise;
using them as errand boys; borrow 40
nearly everything they possess in the
way Of clothing and triiles; constantly
chatting them not allowing them 10
smile in the presence of upper class
men; prohibiting them from walking
on the prettiest part Of tho academy
grounds and forcing them to stand NJ
to attention during the time it pleases
them to remain in their rooms. TAis
oil nnnoc nnInr tho hnnd of .rnnni inn