New-York tribune., 1900-12-30
AT WEST POINT AND ELSEWHERE.


However opinions may differ about the dis
closures resulting from the investigation at
West Point. it must, we think be generally ad-
mitted that the cadets have appeared well in
this respect. AT least, that they have told the
truth without fiinching. AS to the facts brought
out some misrepresentation has probably arisen
from a failure 10 observe that the testimony
has in large part related to incidents antedating
the appointment of Colonel Mills TO the super
intendency Of the Academy, and for that reason
the actual correction OF abuses within the last
two years which has been justly accredited TO
his administration may be disputed. Substan-
tial progress has assuredly been made in the
difficult task of abOlshing evil customs but
nevertheless there seems 10 be sufficient reason
for believing tbaF some of the more objection
able forms of hazing, such as it is entirely poss-
bic to suppress, still continue. If, as We are
glad 10 suppose, they were destined to disap-
pear by means Of the continued pressure of au-
thority and sentiment, this present inquiry can
scarcely fail 10 hasten the process of extinction.
II would seem TO be perfectly safe to assert
that the practice of requiring cadets TO fight
for some alleged fault of conduct or demeanor
can be and ought to be stopped. outright and
wholly. 1t is pretty clear also that the custom
of exercising" the new men has in not few
instances Of recent date. been carried TO such
extremes as might without much difficulty have
been detected and should have been in every
case severely punished.
Turning 10 various other proceedings compre-
bended. not without objection. under the name
Of hazing. We venture TO assert that they have
provoked a great deal Of needless, Improbable
and more or less hypOcritical condemnation. In
reply TO an inquiry President Hadley says in
eFrs.. 1~..rt
Of civilization hazing has been almost done
away with at Yale. ard that the attitude Of the
university authorities toward the small rem
nants which remain is summed up In the legal
maxim. The law takes no account of trifes'
There is a great deal of cool common sense II
that official view and statement. The man who
undertakes as schOOlmaster or parent, TO eradi
cate the human nature OF boy is sure 10 fat
In most cases and so make himself ridiculous
and is likely In the few cases In which he sue
ceeds 10 spoil his subject.
II may not be easy 10 define but II Is NO
difficult 10 recognize the difference between
boyish acts which are intrinsicaly mean ant
brutal and those which are essentially harm
less and presumpuvely salutary. Does any DO,
who is ht 20 grow up resent any one Of a hun
ored prsnks played on him by his comrades an,
quite as often by his own brothers? The anal
ogy is not far fetched The irregular, kratui
tous discipline which is a part Of the life o
every group Of active. happy. healthy and whole
some young fellows is as Indispensable as il /
inevitable. Fortunately il cannot be prevented
II il could be, and were the loss would be do
plorable We haven't the slightest doubt tha
the cadets are right when they assert withou
exception, that ''plebe" lesrns more in mont
about The proper attitude and carriage Of
fran >,
ministrarions Of the upper class men than b
would learn in year from the prescribed in
struction alone. And, unless West Poir. is M
Ike every other educational institution on eartl
pubic or domestic. a variety Of unofficial dl,
c'phnary measures must and will continue |,
De employed there, with generally useful r,
suit. OF course, rigid regulations are esser
~A% but the academic lsw should not eoncer