New-York tribune., 1900-12-08
THE CHARGE AGAINST WEST POINT

1t is expected that the Committee on Military
Affairs Of the House Of Representatives will
favorably report the resolution asking the Sec
retary of War 20 investigate the charge that the
recent death Of former cadet named Booz re-
suited from injuries which he received while
being haZed az West Point in the summer of
1898. The substance OF the assertions made by
the young mans family and friends is that he
entered the Academy in June in perfect health.
resigned in October because he was physically
unfit 10 stay longer. returned home in a mser-
able condition of body and an unhappy frame
Of mind, and soon fell victim to a tuberculous
disease which his system would probably have
resisted IL his maltreatment at the Military
Academy had not rendered him peculiarly sus-
ceptible to its attack
In reply to this accusation Colonel Mills,
Superintendent Of the Academy, declares that
there is no evidence. official or other, to sup
port ii; that the record shows Booz to have
been relieved from duty only once for a
slight physical ailment. during his brief con-
nection with the corps; that any such inju-
ries as he is said 10 have received could not
possibly have escaped official observation. and
that he resigned because he could not keep up
with his studies, weak eyes" being merely the
excuse customarily assigned for mental def
cheney. Ii should be added that Colonel Mills
was not Superintendent or attached to the
Academy In any capa@ity in the summer Of
1898, so that he has no personal knowledge OF
the case but is compelled to depend upon the
records OF the institution and such other infor-
nation as he has indirectly acquired 1t should,
however be borne in mind also that the matter
OF haZing is not one 10 which he is Indifferent
On the contrary. his administration has been
characterized by the unusual severity of the
punishments Inflicted, not only for offences Of
that sort generally acknowledged TO be serious,
but for minor infractions of the regulations
which everybody has been accustomed to con-
slider trivial his declared purpose being TO Grad
icate the evil completely by showing no mercy
! even TO It's mildest forms He is therefore not
predisposed TO make light of these charges
Nevertheless We are not inclined to agree with
Colonel Mills that there is no need of an investi-
cation by the Secretary Of War. Explicit ac-
cusations OF the gravest character have been
made by those whom the death OF Booz most
grievously aficts. and they have been accom-
panied by incidental statements which. though
they strongly tend 10 refute themselves. are
exactly calculated 10 appeal TO lovers of sensa-
/ uon and persons Of hysterical propensities. The
main charge and its embellishments have al
ready been widely published in such a fasbion
as TO produce some impression on sober minds
and the Military Academy is likely 10 suffer dis
Fepute II they are officially ignored II there is
SUBSTANTIAL basis for the assertion that Booz
died In consequence OF injuries caused nv baz-
ing while he was cadet, the fact ought To he
1 proved III his family and friends have been
! deceived whether by wilful Misrepresentation
or superficial appearances. and are circulating
sanaers' The truth ought TO be made SO evident