The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-12-31
AT WEST POINT.
The Superintendent Tell. of Hazins
There.

West Point N. Y, December e9.-The
investigation Of the charges Of brutal
hazing arising out OF the death OF former
cadet Oscar l.. Booz which q court OF In
quiry appointed by the Secretary OF War,
has been in progress with some intermis-
sion for the last two weeks, was conclud-
ed at the West Point military academy
this afternoon. The military court OF in
quiry left for Governors Island tonight
and on Monday morning az tsn O'Clock
thay will examine the mass OF evidence
they have listened TO during the sessions
of the court and except something unfor-
War Department 9 Washington very
soon afterwards. While the court OF In
quiry has been an open one since it began
taking testimony, Mondays session Will
be executive and OF no public interest.
Several cadets and ex-oadets were ex-
amined today but their testimony added
little to what has been told. Colonel.
Miller, the superintendent oil the academy
was the important wit ness Of the day
The Superintenunt told of his having Sc
cured the oath Of society known as
1.-THE Hod CARRIERS which existed
among candidates for admission TO this
academy who were at a preparatory school
West Point. 1t was u society co imposed
of and formed for hazing cadets. The
witness said it was OF such vile nature
that he knew he had good weapon In
his hands. He submitted It to the
cadet body with the result that when they
saw what hazing entailed, the graduating
class OF 1900 declared that they would
abolish hazing and wrote him to that
effect.
Colonel Mills read some letters which
hs had written TO the War Department In
his efforts to abolish hazing at the acad-
envy, containing such suggestive words
as "brutaI treatment OF cadets and secret
outrages," referring to the eucampmsnt
OF 1879,
Colonel Mills cited cases where cadets
had been dismissed for bazing lower
class men. he said they had invariably
CONS TO Washington where great deal
OF influence was exsrted TO bring about
their reinstatement; but in every in
stance, Colonel Mills said, he was ably
supported by the War Department and
the dismissal was ratified. In reply TO
General Bates, she witness said:
81 do not think hAzing can be effectual-
ly stamped out as long as human nature
remains as 1t ia. But think that by
vigilance of the authorities &C this acade-
my and the cooperation OF the cadets
themselves. 1t can be kent within such
bounds that no injury would result
AS to the abolition of lighting among
cadets, Colonel Mills said that where
there were so many young men living to-
gether under the same roof, IL was natur-
al that fights should occur. Referring to
the case OF Oscar L. Bo0z he said:
"rhe first intimation had OF the case
was IN a letter / received from the editor
OF the lntellioencer OF Doylestown, Pa,
in which he said that booz was dying
from the effects OF severe injuries he had
H. frvAN ~ MnufD tx4f NaA nj
from the effects OF having swallowed
some liquid substance.
"Ihis letter was dated Novemb bar "a,
1900. l Immediately Investigated the case
and replied to the letter, November 2Sth.
saying that Booz bad resigned on ao-
count OF weak eyes and that be had re-
ceived no serious injury in the fight
mentioned. l wish - call the attention
of the court TO the fact that Ihs resigna-
ton OF former cadet Booz was dated Sep
tender ~, 1873 In it he says he re-
signed on account OF weak eyes and the
resignation was Anoomuanied by the
written consent OF his father.
"At no Tins slnos Booz left this
academy until the present time have the
West Point authorities or the War de-
partment received any complaint or ref
erencs to the case from Booz's parents. l
would also wish to make mention of tn
necessity of establishing the cause OF the
uebtu Oh OftuSb DuOL, 1cEo bilo NltuosS
was interrupted by the president Of the
court, Gensral Brooke, who said that
the court would take care Of that matter.
Ibid you ever in any way call Cadet
Booz liars' inquired General Clous,
"No, sir; simply wrote to the author
tiles at Washington the facts which 1
learned through my investigation here
at the academy"
"Have you any measures to suggest
which in your opinion would stamp out
hazing at this academy inquired Gen.
eral Brooke.
"No, sir; think the present conditions
are all that can be ssired and that the
continuation OF these efforts Will accom-
plish everything that we can expect to ac-
complish."
Continuing Colonel Mills said: 81 be-
lieve that 1t would be most unwise for
Congress to act either by the requirement
OF an cath or by any other provisions
than making the Superintendent mower
absolute In a case OF hazing 30 that he
can act summary at all times
This ended the testimony OF the last
witness and the court adjourned to re-
convene at Governors Island on Monday
morning.