The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-02-21
CBNSURB TOR TIE HAZBRS
Mr.. Hepburn Denounces Brutality
at West Point and Annapolis.
CaGStTe Remarks OF the IoEvkn in the
House Resented by Eessrs. Can
non and Dayton.

The House proceeded at once upon meet
ing today to further consider the General
Deficiency bill il Committee Of the Whole
Mr.. Sherman offered an :a.serdmelt au-
thorizing the Superintendent Of the Naval
Academy 10 make such rules as viii ef-
fectuc,iiy prevent the practice Of hazing;
and providing for the expulsion Of any
cadet found guilty OF haziEg and barring
hal from resPpointment TO either the Ma
Vai CT Military Academy.
Mr. Shermau's belief was that the peo-
pie Of the country who supported these
institutions desired that al horse play
whether or not ii reached the brutality
Of hazins- should cease. and his only par
pcse in introducing this amendment was
10 make that decree effective
In the discussion following Mr. Dayton.
Of the Naval Committee, supported the
amendment, at the same time denying
that hazins was practiced at Annapolis IS
it had been at West Point. The worst
case. probably, which had occurred since
the BoOz case. was making plebe re. eat
rapidly the string Of adjectives which Mr.
briggs had used 70 denounce hazing al
West Point
Nj Sherman and Nj Latimer called
Mr. Dayton's attention 10 cases Of hazIng
within the past year Of which he admitted
he had net previous knowledge
Mr.. GrCsyeECr and Mir. Wheeler of Ken
lucky advocating tie cessation OF brutaIi-
" at these Institutions. protested against
the extreme penalty sought to be en-
forced for ha: ing &r- GFcsveror said Il
VS. equivalent to that for treason ~ Mr.
Wheeler said The present public sentiment
against these boyish pranks was an IN
keaIthful sentiment, akin to THAI which
supported Mrs. Nation IL her Ratchet cru
SADIE II Kansas.
Mr. Shaciieford-But does not hazing
breed brutality
Nj Wheeler do not think so but if
an investiga ion IS wanted into the con-
duet of officers ct Annapolis IL can be had.
We know il VII reveal nothing. But this
IS snap judgment Nothing should be done
without an Investigation Do not close
the matter by a hastily drawn amend
ment.
Mr. Hepburn ana an advocate Of the
adjustment of hazing in every form You
cannot call these bru5alitjes childish
pranks" TIE atmosphere in which the
officers OF cur navy and army are brought
mp IS one OF harshness and bestiaI rough
ness. II makes them unfit to command and
| il makes Il impossible for US TO man our
| ships because the men cannot be found
/ who are willing 10 serve under the ty
rants besOtten at cur Academy. Whatev-
! er there is Of incompetence IN our army
i
/ brutal system Of hazing
! The gentleman from Kentucky CIR.
! Wheeler may think that such is : proper
method 10 bring the martial spirit Of our
/ citizens up to the level OF Kentucky pub
/ lie opinion For me. I am for any pro-
J cedurs which will stamp out these dis
| graceful practices.
! Mr.. Clayton had read by the clerk 4 see
/ tiou Of statute giving the Superintend-
+ ent Of the Naval Academy power to dis
4 miss any cadet found guilty Of hazing.
! The prevalence of hazing At West Point
/ is due 20 the fact that there is no such
/ power LODGED in the hands Of the superin-
/ tendeHt there" ne said
/ Mr. Cannon, replying 70 Ar. Hepburn.
/ said;
y viii rot by my silence assent to the
/ wholesale denunciaion OF cur brave naval
/ officers
Mr.. Dayton resented Mr. Hepburn 5
! charges against the navy as unjust aad
! brutaIly untrue"
Mr. Lawrence. in the chair. rGled IN
| favor of a point of order taken by SIR,
| Wheeler. and the amendment was re-
| jected.
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