The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-05
Having al. West Point.

The death OF Oscar l.. Boox. former
cadet at West Point, is likely to provoke
a good deal Of discussion and perhaps
call for some criticism Of the methods Of
control and manners Of life in the coun-
fry's chief military institution. II Is al
legged that young Boos while being hased
was compelled to drink burning liquid
composed OF tomato ketchnp. Worcester
shire sauce and cayenne pepper. ~ a re-
suit OF which throat consumption set in.
terminating in death with great suffer-
ing. It looks as II the matter would
be more thoroughly investigated than II
has been; II certainly would seem that
II cadet has died because of maltreat-
ment at the hands OF his fellow students.
the matter should be carefully looked
into.
Col. Mills. the superintendent Of the
academy. seems disposed to take sides
with the cadets. claiming that Boos was
put only to the customary tests OF manii-
ness. He says that Boox was not ia
vorfte with his classmates. was not liked
by the older cadets. and In refusing to
meet fellow cadet in a standup fight
assumed an attitude that was cowardly
and unsoidieriy. The superintendent main-
tains that the academy trains men for
the army: that they must grow up SOL
diers and not towards; that they must
stand ready TO meet an enemy at mo-
ment's notice. even while knowing that
they are facing defeat.
No one will deny that the young men
upon whom the nation IL to rely az its
defenders should be put to all reasonable
tests Of manliness. but 1t may be guess
toned II y fair test il made when cadet
is compelled to use az q beverage a con-
coction made OF tomato ketcnup. worces-
tershire sauce and cayenne pepper. IL
would seem that better means could be
adopted for showing that man is brave
and has the right qualities Of heart. IT
may perhaps be impossible to suppress
the hasfng practices which are recognized
in nearly ali OF our educational fnstitu-
tons. but public sentiment has expressed
itself In late years TO the effect that
cruelty and brutality shall not be toll
Grated. Col Mills intimaies that the main
purpose OF the academy at West Point
Is to turn out fighters. This may be
true. but II has been commonly UNDER
the graduates should be gentlemen Free
dom to indulge In brutal hazing Is not
likely to make the cadet distinguished for
his gentlemanly characteristics.
u may be that the stories OF the indig-
mites heaped on young Hoox have been
exaggerated. II has been alleged at the
academy hat he was unpopular and
lacked manliness. The reports of HIS ac-
lions Just prior to his death would hardly
seem to bear this out. He refused to the
last TO dsvuige the names Of those who
iIi-sreated him. claiming that he had
gone to the academy expecting ITO
take his medicine and he was not go
ing TO complain Of his fellow students.
This would Indicate that he had some Of
the good qualities that are essential to
the makeup OF the soldier.
A resolution was introduced In congress
yesterday asking that the secretary OF
war investigate the practice Of haxing
At the military academy. In View Of al
legations made in connection with the
death % young Booz. such "a investiga-
slon should be had. The ROOF fam
lily have a right 70 demand II. snd
both academy authorities and cadets
ought 70 court IL ~. as they claim. tho
charges brought against them are wholly
unwarrsnted.