Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-01-16
Fourth CIassmen Called Out TO
be Whipped,
CADET BARNES SO TESTIFIEs
Congressman briggs Calls IL "Bruial
Cowardice" - Fighting Could be
stopped by Oath.

West Point, n. " Jan l0'-Odue'
Joseph +. Barnes. Of the District Of
Columbia, who was one Of Cadet kel.
lers seconds, and who seems TO have
more knowledge Of the code Of the corps
"a regard 10 istc arguments than any
other cadet at the West Pon academy
continued his testimony before the con-
gresslonal investigating committee
when the hearing was resumed today
Last night Barnes was sworn and eX-
amined by Judge Smith, the congress-
man from Council Bluffs. Iowa. and the
young man had quite trying time.
Mr. Smith did not mince his words
when he endeavored to show the wit
ness. who Is practically on the eve OF
graduation, that the first classmen were
arrogant, ignorant and cOuceted in adj
dltlOn when they as class commended
the West Point system OF fighting
against the better judgment Of the mill
tary officers of the academy and in Vi
olation OF an rules and regulations gov
erning the institution
Mr.. briggs. Of Brooklyn, took the Wit
ness in hand today and asked him mi
nutely about the Keller BOoz fight
While listening to Barnes knowledge Of
the affair, the Brooklyn congressman
interrupted the witness and asked HIM
Under your Infamous and unmanly
code Of fighting Is Il not understood
that an upper classman Is selected es-
pecially for the purpose Of administer
ing sound drubbing TO the fourth
classman who Is called out?'
yes. sir. Il Is understood when a
fourth slassman Is called out he Is TO
be whipped
ooh. so that's the code" said Mr..
briggs. as he shook his finger at the
witness, while he arose In his seat be-
side the chairman, then leaning towards
the witness he shouted;
Young man. this dlshonorable prac-
tce you have described would not be
tolerated I'm any athletic club IN the
world. The upper classman who Is a
party to the calling out Of a fourth
classman for the purpose OF having
him thrashed Is a coward and the
fourth classman who Is beaten IS moth
ing else but a hero. This morning I re-
ceived -four letters from Kansas. Mas
sachusetts New York and Brooklyn.
In all Of which the mode Of fighting
and hazing here Is called brutal bully
a
call it brutal cowardice."
BY Mr.. Wagner:
Suppose that an oath were admins
tered to a cade' when he receives his
appointed as a cadet TO this academy,
the provisions OF which provided
fighting DO you think II would stop the
practice"
Yes sir, I presume II would, as
! don't believe any man would break
! his oath. But. as for myself. I viii
say that II ! had 10 so back 10 the
! time Of my appointment and an oath
was about TO be administered TO me
which would prevent me from resenting
an insult. I would unhesitatinCly re-
fuse 10 take II and content myself IN
some clyil occupation" replied the wit.
ness.
you expect 10 become an officer very
soon, do YOU not?" inquired Col Clay
ton.
yes, sir"
Then, after you have become an Of
fcer, would you in violation Of your
oath accept or send a challenge to
duel. flstic or otherwise"
III the provocatlon occurred In well
defined terms 7 would not violate my
oath, but would resign and send or ac-
cept a challenge, in the event that I
could not meet and shoot my man on
sight"
Speaking Of hazing Mr.. Wagner ad-
dressed the witness. saying:
do you know that one William Nc
Kinley, now President Of the United
States. when a member OF Congress.
said that he would favor the abolition
Of the West Point military academy in
case hazing could not be stopped
there?"
Yes, sir"
and the late James c. Blaine had
the same Ideas" said Mr.. briggs.
And so also did Zachariah Taylor"
added Judge Smith.
The witness on the request Of Judge
Smith stood up.