The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-18
AN ANNAPOLITAN BRICK"
Cadet Dortch Is Very Popular with
the Future AdmiraIs.
New York Press.

New York Press.
Cadet Isaac f. Dortch. of the fourth
class at Annapolis, is most popular young
man there just now. His testimony, given
at the recent court-martial of six other ca
diets charged with hazing him, has saved
those lively young men from losing their
opportunities OF becoming officers of Uncle
Sans navy.
One night. as Lieutenant Bookwalter was
making tour of inspection through one of
the buildings of the academy. he heard
noises of festivity proceeding from one of
the rooms Opening the door he ''hived" a
joyous company of future admirals, who
were engaged in the ancient and joyous
pastime Of hazing ''plebe"-'plebe" being
the equivalent at ANNAPOLIS and West Point
for the civilian freshman" They were
smoking and talking and laughing. and
were putting Cadet Dortch through the
same old routine which has comprised the
main features of Naval Academy hazing
since the institution was founded Dortch
had told his story. sung his song, stood on
his head, and the proceedings had just
rived at he point where the plebe tells his
experiences" The arrival of the unbidden
guest-Lieut. BookWaIter-put an end to the
proceedings. of course and no one will ever
know now what Dortch was going to relate
as his experiences" The result was.
naturally, a court-martial of the six cadets
caught in the room. At the trial Dortch
Jailed to recognize the accused even as ac-
guaintances. He said that he had been told
that he was wanted in the room in -ques-
ton and had gone there. lie had been
asked il he could tell a story. He said he
could and he did. Some one asked him If
he could stand on his head. lie was not
quite sure that he could at first, but after
one or the cadets had shown him how he
did II easily. When they asked him if he
could sing a song he struck up Yankee
Doodle" Not being very good vocalist
he was told to stop it before he had fairly
begun. lie was then asked to relate his
experiences" and just at that point Lieu
tenant Bookwalter came in and broke up
the party. He had not been forced to do
anything, he said. He had simply been
asked in a friendly way If he possessed
the accomplishments named. and had will
ingly demonstrated that he did He had no
objection in the world to ..oblige" 10 the
extent of his ability. The cadets were all
friendly and he was simply contributing
voluntarily TO the enjoyment of the even
Ing. DOrtch was asked If he usually stood
on his head. told stories and sang songs to
amuse strangers, and replied he did those
things Tor strangers only when his ability
TO do them was questioned.
OF course, Dortch is brick, and all the
academy says so. but in spite of his testi-
mony the gentlemen who were present
when 'Dortch consented TO oblige' have
received various numbers of dement's,
some are imprisoned on the old guard ship
Santee and one has had his name sent to
Washington for further punishment by the
secretary OF the navy. He is a first-class
man, and If the secretary is not too severe
viii graduate next spring.
All those who were present at the enter
tanment furnished by Dortch ieoparded
their chances of ever receiving commits
sion To students in civilian colleges to be
caught hazing is not so serious a matter
as IL IS for students at Annapolis and West
Point \ student dismissed from civilian
college can complete his education at some
other college. As a rule his future career
Is not affected materially. But at Annapo-
lis and West Point 10 be caught haZng
has an effect on the cadets whole chosen
future career. IL IL does not block him from
that career entirely. Even III he is not dis
missed from the academy altogether to
the bitter disappointment of his parents
and friends and his own discredit. the de-
merits which he receives affects his stand
ing at his graduation. and his standing at
graduation affects his number on the naval
list. and his number affects his promotion.
1t seems incredible that bright and intelli-
gent young men. the chosen out of many.
should sacrifice or injure their chosen ca
reer for the satisfaction of hearing n
"plebe' sing song and tell a story and
see him stand on his head. But they do il,
always have done IL and probably always
viii do IT, The finest discipline and high
est ambition the world knows can make
nothing OF a boy but just-a boy. But when
boys are bad they must suffer for ii. as all
the long generations of bad boys gone be-
Tore them have.