New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-20
WHY CADETS ARE HAZED
WITNESSES EXPLAIN THAT 1T TAKES
THE ooNcEIT OUT OF THEM.
Rooz REGARDED AS CoTARD-cLAss-
MATES DECLARE he NEVER CUM
planned OF PERSECUTION.

West Point n Y, Dec. 10 CspeciaD.-As the
evidence accunuiates in the investigation that
IS being conducted into the hazing practices
which Il is alleged contributed TO the death oi
Oscar l. Booz the more apparent 1t becomes
that the dead cadet was probably the most I'M
popular student who had entered the ACADEMY
IN recent wears. Witness after witness TESTIFIED
to-day that Booz was regarded with contempt
not only by the upper class men but ov the CO.
dets OF his own class, for exhibiting as thes
described il. cowardice when he was called OUT
10 night.
one after another. members of the class 10
which Booz belonged went upon the stand ana
declared that he had not been hazed WIN any
more severity than they; that they never hearo
him complain Of persecution, ana mat so i0i
from being unolested ne was instead left alone
because OF the general dislike which was rev
for him by his colleagues. So strongly oiu Ia.
evidence run On this direction that one ooserNah
listener AT the end of the days proceedings was
heard 10 remark: 1T seems 10 me that bo"z
came here expecting 70 ind the Academy TO oe
q sort of theological seminary, and that the ds-
illusion ne experienced was too great for him 10
bear"
60 far the Court Of Inquiry appointed ny the
War Department has not succeeded in obtaining
any evidence that could he regarded as incrlInl-
natorv aeainst the upper class men who hazeo
the "plebes" i'm 1895. the year that Booz was al
the Academy. The examination to-day was
again confined 20 the present second Class the
ore ~ which Rooz belonged. over thirty stu
dents Of this class were called. and IN turn each
~ them maintained that while he had been
hazed I'm his '-plebe" year, ne had suffered no
phvsical injuries from his experience, and that
he regarded the attentions bestowed upon him
H. the MINER class men more in the nature or
rleasantries than Of an intent 10 infiict bodily
sufferlnCs. The witnesses insisted that the haz-
ing which existed at West Point two years ago
was mainly comprised IN what was known as
Exercising" Cadets subjected 70 this form OF
disciplining were required TO perform exhaust
ing drills, but it was contended that the eKer-
cises were not prolonged beyond ordinary en-
durance.
CADETS VIEW OF HAZING.
The Court invariably inquired Of the cadets
whether their idea of hazing agreed with the
Century Dictionary. which defines II as a prac-
tioe Of playing mischievous or abusive tricks.
and trying the pluck and temper by physical
persecution 81 lower class of students. Not
one Of the witnesses would agree with that
definition as describing West Point hazing. OF
the many witnesses during the day who de-
scribed the ethics Il hazing at the Academy
perhaps Cadet John K. Kerr was the most in
teresting in his answers. Asked If he would
haze an upper class man. he replied that he
would not. and when requested TO give his
reasons why an upper class man should be ex-
empt ne answered:
There is no cause for II. Lower class men
who come here do not understand the customs
81 the academy. ana when they taught
those customs and afterward Intentionally trans
gress punishment is prescribed for the offence.
Fourth class men are put through a course OF
order without question. and they are exercised
10 give them a soderly carriage and 70 pre-
vent them slouching along with their chins
pushed forward"
What provokes this teasing Of the lower class
men?" ne was asked 10y General Brooke.
We'll" replied Kerr, somewhat ingenuously.
"as 4 general thing new cadet has a large
idea Of his own Importance. and it is 10 change
that opinion that he is disciplined"
DO you mean 10 take the concet out OF hm?"
him?"
Yes sir"
In what line does that coneet usually lie?"
1T takes different forms Some of them are
proud Of their possession Of wealth. some of
them are proud Of their intellect, and others OF
what they think is their military proficiency"
Then the purpose OF hazing is TO bring them
down to a solid foundation?' suggested General
Brooke.
les, SIT, answered Kerr, to make them all
stand on the ground and TO make them
realize that they are no better than anybody
else"
Kerr was present at the fight which Booz had
with Keller Of the present first class. He de-
scribed IL graphically as follows:
AT the beginning Booz rushed IN and en-
oeavored 70 exchange blows. The first blow he
received was beneath the left eye. After ne got
this blow he was not inclined face his on
ponent, and ran around the ring trying to avoid
the other man. Occasionally he would make q
received slight blow he would go down TO the
ground and stay there until he was picked up
think that was done two three times Finally
he would not get up al all. and said he would
give up the fight. He did not speak as though
the wind had been knocked out OF him. He was
whimepring After that Booz was looked upon
as coward by the corps. and was not as
ISOLATED with.
SONS OF DISTINGUISHED FATHERS.
Among the cadets who were called before the
court to-day were Philip II. Sheridan, son Of
General Phil Sheridan; a brother OF Lieutenant
Hobson, Of Merrlmac fame and Mark Brooke
nephew OF General Brooke, the president ~
the court. Their distinguished relatives how,
ever. did not make them any more immune
from hszing than their classmates Of less "a :
nous connections. Young Hobson was forced "a
stand on his head in tub OF water 10 climb .
tent pole and 90 sing a comic song Brooke was
exercised and experienced the biting effects =,