The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-26

Tho offence for which these cadets were
eXpeUcd was the class celebration on
New Years eve hy the use or nie"oiHs
i'm the face OF direct warming from tue
Superintendent under instructions from
tse Board OF Visitors.
The vcar before a similar escapade Wds
ATTEMPTED but was frustrated mainly pN
fhs vstchfulness of First Cadet captain
Percy s Hawcs. OF this city, VINO Was
overpowered bound and gagged oy als
olsssmatcs in order to- dispose OF MN
while tho fun Went on. ,,s....
Tia esoanod from the bonds and left me
opntv room ln which he was siorel away
and reported The case iu time To oteah
rn the plans of the class for ma KING
MERRY contrary 10 iho rules OF o'sei-
pline and special orders
AS result several cadets were as
missed. and young Hawes, after exon
Grafton by q court ol inquiry wiz" '''
demanded resigned
AN ANNUAL CUSTOM
ID b.s been thc custom of the frst class
to celebrate tho graduating year WIN
some sensational action To meet '''
...,.rcrf desire of the class to burn pow
drr with great noise ON thls oc'aslo"'
t0e hoard some years ago provided mat
.r.h a celebration should pe dlioWeI'
,rh., NOT only gave it official SANCTION,
hg apDropr.atcd material Tor IT. anu
triod to give 10 such support as Wou."
make 30 "a gala occasion and q credHdpIe
affair
10 came off one year under these aus
pices on tho parade ground ana "a nne
,.,rote.bric disolay accompanied by can
non salutes was the result. The next
YEAR fhe bows voted 10 TOO tame ant I'M
afly abandoned it for something more eN-
citing ani spicy
The breach of discipline in l&S was so
serious that The board determined 10
break up the practice III possible ana IS
sued special instructions 20 the officers
of The institute 10 use every precauuon
q stop the disorder I'm lSs9
SPECIAL ORDERS
TO this end special orders were issued
warning the members OF the arst class
that mo- attempt 40 such demoralizng
practices must De made and that the
most severe punishment would follow the
Violation or the regulations ia this re-
gard.
% was known outside of the Virginia
Military Institute for weeks before New
Ncar's nish.. and presumably at the in-
ftltutc. that The class expected to make
some 0cmOnst trat.on on New Years eve.
for the institute officer In charge was in-
suucted To- take extra precautions and
the cadet officer Of the day was in turn
instructed 10 have hls sentlneis dou5ly
watchfui
Heretofore the hrst classmen have been
in the habit Of making merry just at the
dawn of the New Year. an hour when
ON cadets are supposed To have been
snug.y tucked in their cots for two hours.
Plans had been made 80 double the
guards and NIP in the bud any attempt
al infractlon of the rules.
There was no bail in the gymnasium
as on the previous year, TO give cadets
A. excuse for being ont % their rooms
after the usual hour Of taps
KNEW A THING OR Two
The Wiley first ciassmcu knew that
precautions had been taken 20 frustrate
their midnight frolic and 10 the surprise
OF an who suspected their intentions. the
dbllment broke loose am hour and "a half
ahead of supposed schedule time
1he special breach Of discipline. of
which ahc class Us guilty This year. was
p crand display of fire. works from the
top ol The cadet barracks about an hour
~ midnight. which awakened the corps
from thoir sium0crs and professors as
We'll
The cadets ono by one slipped out OF
iholr rooms end went up the narrow stair
way, which goes through one Of The tow
'rs from the fourth sloop 20 the roof OF
ihe barracks main building.
"a binding siect and snow storm was
raging and the hour 50 early that the
most suspicious officer aid not think OF
boxing for trouble when the night was
yet 50 young
TIiE CANNON WENT OFF
by means known only 20 themselves.
NE cadets had secured q large amount
D. fireworks and stored - on the roof
kadv Tor the now year celebration.
1he cannon in front OF barracks had