Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-24
FINDINGS OF COURT OF INQUIRY.
Report of the Investigation III
Cadet-Captain Hawes's Matter.

LEXINGTON, February 23.-(Special)-
The finding Of the court Of inquiry re-
Gently held at the Virginia Military In
stitute to investigate certain charges
against Cadet-Captain G. Percy Halves
of Richmond, was made public to-day,
and the orders of the military tribunal
were published at parade.
The report. as will be seen, is most
complimentary to the cadet and what
ever NAV be the etiquette and unWrltleh
laws of the brass button boys, the
outside public will infer that the Rich
mond lad has little reason TO be ashamed
of the finding Of the court. The following
is the report: 90 1909
To the Superintendent Virginia Military
SirMIn compliance with Special Order
No g. headquarters Virginia MhitaIy IN
stitute. Of date January %, 1873 the
court Of inquiry appointed to investigate
and report upon the facts and circum-
stances connected % with the record as
| q cadet Of Cadet Halves, and tZ) win
| certain transactions between MN ana MS
| class. have the honor to submit tns pro pro
| ceedings and summary of the evidence
| given herewith, and in compliance with
| instructions, TO submit the following.
OPINION.
| 1 The record as a cadet Of Cadet Hawes
| is excellent; as an officer he has Deeh
! faithful and conscientious; as yOuns
! man among his fellows his record mas
been subject to no adverse criticism, eA-
| cept in two cases arising from transac-
| lions between himself and his class.
| 9 In the first transaction between Cauet
| HAYES and his class, occurring on January
| 1. 1897. Cadet Halves was in error In that
| having sgnified his intention TO certain
| first officers Of his class that ne would
| join them and other members OF MS Grass
| in a certain escapade. and having suhSe-
| phapoqH his nlIrnOSC. he UlQ not
| so inform them.
| 3. In the second transaction between
| Cadet Halves and his class, the class was
| in error (or some OF them), in that they
! held and promulgated the opinion that
| Cadet Hawes had betrayed class secrets
| (Signed) e. w. NICHOLS, President
(SgnedD c. w. WATTS, Recorder.
III. The proceedings of the court are ap-
| proved, and the opinion given Is concurred
| in The only criticism OF Cadet Halves
! by the court appears due TO his action
| on January /, 1897 His action az that
| time would have been commendable, had
| he Seen careful to have his intentions I'M
| derstood by those with him, and who
| were acting by mutual consent His
| error appears to have been due TO lack
| Of judgment, and not TO any intent TO de-
| ceiVe and the acting superintendent Is
of the opinion that no further proceedings
| are necessary I'm this case. Cadet Halves
| will report from leave Of absence without
delay BY command Of Colonel John NJ.
| (Signed) III. Il. HYATT
Captain and Adjutant, Virginia Military
Institute.
The court OF inquiry was demanded by
Cadet-Captain Halves, who holds the
| rank of first captain in the corps OF
cadets He was charged with betraylne
! class secrets and snubbed by his class.
In order 10 vindicate himself he asked for
| the Investigation. and his request was
granted. and Colonel T.. w. Nichols. Ma
| Tor Francis Mallory. and Captain G. w
Watts composed the court. After sitting
in secret session for three afternoons and
nights they adjourned sine die. At the
J lime Cadet Hawe's lawyer Mr.. Julian
Bryant, OF Richmsnd. sought to place