The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-21
THE HAWESCASE
FINALLY SETTLED
The Y, M. |. Board Sustains the
Court of Inquiry
THE RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
The Board Does Not Believe Cadet
Hawes Was Guilty of Any Intcn-
tional Wrong-doing. - Secret
Societies Not Discussed.
THE RESOLUTION ADOPTED

The Board of Visitors OF the Virginia
Military Institute, after "A session OF more
than six hours at Murphy's Hotel yes
terday. decided to refuse the Application
of Cadet Captain q. Percy Halves, Jr',
for a rehearing OF his case and aitlrmed
the findings OF the Court of Inquiry
which investigated II.
The resolution adopted by the board
reads as follows: -
THE VERDICT AFFIRMED.
"The Board OF Visitors of the Virginia
Military Institute, having upon the re-
quest or appeal " Cadet G. +. Halves
considered the findings and testl-
monv Herewith Of the Court OF
Inquiry in his case. ana also
all that Cadet Halves said or desires To
saws. and also upon like request having
heard the statement OF the Supermteh-
dent I'm reply to questions asked Dy couu-
sci for Cadet Halves. said Board OF VS.
itors. understanding the findings OF sdiu
court to exonerate Cadet Hawes from
any moral or intentional error. do APP
prove the findings OF the said Court OF
Inquiry"
The Board convened az II o'clock yes
terday morning. there being present
Mr.. 8 H. Letcher. Of Lexington presl-
dent: Colonel W. r. Poague. OF LeNins-
ton. secretary: Mr. Alexander Hamilton
OF Petersburg: Colonel Grenville Games
OF Warrenton. +. W. Saunders. of Frank
lin. Judge W. r. Rhea OF Bristol. ana
Colonel II. r. Parrish. Of Roanoke. COL
onel Scott Ship. Superintendent OF the
institute was also present, as was
Mr.. Julian Bryant. counsel for cadet
Halves. The case was dfscused at great
length by the Board Cadet Halves was
allowed TO testify fully. Mr.. Julian Bryant
was heard. and General Ship replied TO
questions asked by MFR. Bryant. after
which the Board adopted the resolution
above recorded which disposes OF the
matter as the decision OF the Board Is
final.
The case OF Cadet Halves has excited
much interest naturally In Richmond, thls
being his home. The facts IN the case
which have heretofore been printed IN
full. are briefly th6se.
The first class undertook to celebrate
the new year with an escapade, including
fireworks. Halves was on duty as officer
OF the dav. Unexpectedly. and under spe-
cial orders from the commandant, VINO
by reason OF previous disturbances ar this
season. suspected trouble. 10 break II
10. Members Of the class OyerpOwered
awes while on duty tied him and placed
him in an empty room. He freed him
self in time to prevent the escapade.
His classmates charged that HAYES
had taken advantage of information Sc
cured at meetings Of the class. which
he attended, to break mp their plans. and
they expelled him as a member OF the
class.
These and similar charges affecting his
standing as "a cadet and a gentleman
coming to his ears. he requested to have
| a court Of inquiry to investigate the
| charges.
The decision reached bly, the Court Of
Inquiry. which investigated the case, ful-
| ly eNonerated Cadet Halves from the
| charge Of conduct unbecOming an Off
Ger and a gentleman, but the board de-
| cined TO investigate anything that oc-
Cured subsequent to y o'clock Decem-
| Der 81. 1891 and for that reason Cadet
Halves did not think that the case had
been fully gone into.
THE SECRET SOCIETIES
The Board az IT'S session yesterday took
| up no other matter beside the Halves
case. although II had been expected that
| the question OF breaking up secret So
cietles would be considered. Col. Poague
stated 10 me. however, that all the meas
| ures possible had been taken looking 10
that end. New men are required 10 sign
| pledges that they will not join such or
| EahlLdllOiSt flAhtt btAolu VI 1AAFi HiiAA-
alton. Heretofore the boys have gotten
around the rule by promising 10 join after
| graduation. which virtually made them
members Of the orders. 1t IS thought by
| the board that the societies will not sur
| vive for any length OF time.
Several members OF the board. who
| were conver.ed with on the subject Of the
| Halves inquiry stated that they We're
satisfied the young soldier had not in
| tentlonally done anything wrong, and
| they were also satisfied that the findings
of the court OF inquiry were correct
Col. @. Percy HAYES, who is a member
| OF the board was not present while that
| body was considering his sons case.
Some Of the members Of the board left
| last night for their homes. Colonel
| Poague and Colonel Parrish expect 10 90
| TO Newport News to-day 10 inspect the
warships OF the Flying Squadron.