New-York tribune., 1901-06-01
CADETS SIDE OF 1T GIVEN.
DISMISSED WEST POINTERS GOING TO
ECUADOR on TUESDAY.
MAHAFFEY DECLARES THAT SECRETARY
ROOT TOLD HIM OTHERS WERE As
CULPABLE as THE ONES WHO
WERE PUNISHED.

Birchie o. Mahaffey, one of the cadets recent
ly dismissed from West Point. returned 10 this
city yesterday from Washington, where he had
been 20 try TO get reinstated in the Military
Academy He consented TO tell the cadets siae
nf the story Of the dismissals. The dismissed
men VIII start on Tuesday for Ecuador 10 Joiii
the engineer corps Of the Guayaquil ana QUITO
Railroad.
Mahaffey says that Secretary Root toid hliii
that other cadets now in the academy were as
culpable as those dismissed, but that the ones
dismissed were chosen for punishment because
they were the most prominent. Mahaney W's
formerly president of the second class He SAID
that he thought the punishment unnecessarily
harsh. and accused both Secretary Root and
Colonel Mills Of unfairness in not permitting MIN
mud his friends to see the testimony against
them. 50 they could make proper defence tie
rl.arged. further. that when the dismissed cadets
uaw Secretary Root in Washington ne seemed
10 have prejudged their cases and TO have al
ready decided not 10 reopen them
What was the cause Of the trouble NJ West
Pointq" Mahaffev was asked.
Tho dissatisfaction was caused by the fan
,,re OF the superintendent 10 keep his pert of
the agreement with the committee OF twelve
and three men from each class who called upon
Colonel Mills 10 learn his Interpretation Of the
word fhaZing.' III Gt'tNlilSlIalltu "e' Ai'''
caused by his efforts to suppress hazing as
stated by Colonel Mills in his report and in the
finding Of the board Of officers. There had been
no bozing for him 10 suppress since the vol
untarv abolition Of the practice by the corps.
The iudge-ad general admitted this in so
many words 70 the five dismissed cadets after
their interview Of May % with the Secretary OF
War.
In the interview in which Colonel Mills de-
fined hazing TO the committee Of twelve, ne
agreed that 'bracing' was not hazing. and that
10 cadet would he crucifed for unintentionailY
,,,-erstenping the bounds Of the resolution. The
penalties shortly afterward inflicted on hNch-
ardson and Crissy made the cadets doubt the
,,aracit,- Of Colonel Mills Then followed the
harsh attack on the character Of Cadet Ralston-
IT was then taa, the demonstration was
made was IL not?"
Yes. Corps and class cheers We're given after
supper 10 show Cadet Ralston that the corps
did not consider that he had been disgraoed IN
their estimation by the reading Of his punish
ment."
Was the demonstration prearranged?
NO II was spontaneous. 1t had not been
foreseen, and there had been no secret meetings.
So great was the indignation Of the corps thai
The cheering swept the cadets along by its own
enthusiasm. and in the excitement which fol-
lowed eXcHSSeS were colilll44Atci N4t4elA wv
surprise even TO those who took part in them.
Did you get an opportunity 10 explain thls
and Justify yourself at the Investigations:
The committee did not question Us about our
selves but about other cadets, nor was an op-
portunity given to Tefute anything that
might have been said against We do not
officially know a single word OF the evidence
against us. Colonel Mills refused TO let as see
IL and did the Secretary Of War. When We
went TO Washington We found ourselves pre-
judged by Secretary Root. He heard Us through
courtesy TO a Senator. hut seemed To have de-
termined already to refuse rc0rening Of the
case. He impressed being disposed 10 he
fair, but he mad already been Influenced by the
report of the official board"
Mahaffey said that in Ecuador he and the
ether dismissed cadets would be under Major
John Harman and other graduates OF West
Point. il their decision 10 enter private
life. he said. which had made them feel that
they were at liberty TO tell their side Of the
story.