The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-11-09
SUSPENDED FROM WEST POINT.
Philip Smiths Prank Led to an I'm
pleasant Finale.

Chicago Tribune: For failing to re-
port his own delinquences while on duty
at the West Point military academy,
Cadet Philip S. Smith has. been tried
by g court-martial. convicted of con-
duct prejudicial to good discipline, sus-
pended for one year, and dropped
class lower. This means, perhaps, more
than hundred numbers down the line
Of Sromotion below where he would
have been had he not suffered suspen-
sion.
Two years ago Cadet Smith left his
home in Nebraska, after passing
competitive examination, confident
that four years course at West Point
would bring him a commission in the
army. he was 20 years old when he
entered the academy. Last year he
took his medicine like all the rest of
the Dlebes, double-stepped and 'choo-
ChOoed" with a plebe's patience and
resignation, fought when necessary,
and made a grim determination to
make his successors do likewise.
This year the authorities at West
Point said there should be no semblanee
of hazing. The order went forth that
any olebe caught doing manual labor
for an upper classman without report
ing it should be severely punished. In
spite of this the plebes were haZed.
The tactical officers, after scouting
tours, so reported, and no facts" word
ever yet was doubted. In truth, there
was 20 room for doubt The results
were visible. Plebes were arrested, but
no concession could be forced from
them. They refused to answer ques-
lions, and patiently took the punish
ment which would have gone to their
tormentors had they given evidence. 1t
was next ordered that sentinels should
be placed in the company streets, with
strict orders to peer into each tent,
report every suspicious circumstance,
and, if plebeS were seen in upper class
mems tents, or vice versa, the corporal
of the guard was to be called and the
cadets arrested. The sentineIs were in
honor bound to report all such cases
that came to their notice Among the
first to be posted for sentinel was Cadet
Smith. The young Nebraskan did not
like the work, but orders had to be
obeyed, and he oatrolled his beat with
a watchful eye on the tents. Hour after
hour he kept tab on his comrades and
classmates, but all was quiet as the
grave, and as the first streak of dawn
came 3 hustle in the guard tent told
the weary sentinel that the relief would
soon march on.
Whether It was the elves or fairies
which are said to abound in the vi
entity OF West Point that put the
the 9lebes out of bed an hour before
reveille will never be known.
The facts" did not tr yto explain it.
Certain it is that Smith or the fairies
went to every plebe's tent and admon-
ished the sleeping soldiers to turn out
and pile their bedding. But while the
babes slumbered a guardian angel in
the person of Lieutenant Hoffer watch
ed over their slee9 and noted down
mentally and in writing the time that
Smith turned them out.
Scarcely had the cobwebs been rub
bed out of the lower classmans
eyes before the tramp of the guard was
heard. At the same moment the flaps
of Lieutenant Hoffer's tent were
thrown back. and with clanking sword
the tactical officer marched up to Cadet
Smith.
Anything to report, Mr.. Smith,"
Nothing, lieutenant. ALPS well,'
promptly responded the cadet.
DO you know your orders. Mr..
Smith?"
yes, SIR" and the young cadet rat
tied them off.
You are sure there is nothing to re-
port?" repeated the lieutenant, but
Smith adhered to his first statement,
although a little nervous from the Of
ticer's aersistence.
when you march off guard, Mr..
Smith, go to your tent and consider
yourself in arrest" was the parting or
der Lieutenant Hoffer gave. A court
martial followed. Charges were pre-
ferred against Cadet Smith for making
an untruthful report. He was found
guilty, although, according to military
and civil law, nobody is supposed to say
anything that will incriminate himself.
The Washington bureau approved the
sentence, and. Cadet Smith will enjoy
a vacation for the next II months, but
his present classmates will be a year
ahead of him. and some of the plebes
who We're awakened from their early
morning dreams will rank him in the
arn1y