Evening star., 1901-01-18
MAY BE DISMISSED
Offenses Which May Cost a Cadet
His Position.
EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE
Regulations at West Point Against
HazIng.
SUPERINTENDENT'S POWERS

SUPERINTENDENT'S POWERS
Army officers i'm this city are watching
with great interest the proceedings of the
congressional committee investigating the
practice of hazing at the Military Academy.
All those who were graduated from that
institution are strong In its defense and
quickly resent any aspersiOns upon It's
management and It's efficiency. The scan
dalous conduct and instances of brutality
developed by the investigation much
deplored by the military friends of the III
stitution. One of the number thinks that
the public should be given to understand.
however. that nearly all the cases of haZ-
ing developed by the congressional COM
nlittep occurred over two years ago. be
fore the present administration took hold.
Since that time, he says, only two cadets
have been found guilty of haZing, and each
Of them was summarily dismissed.
Maintenance of Discipline.
The efforts of the officials "a the Military
Academy are directed TO the maintenance
of perfect discipline at the academy, auj
the severest penalties are imposed for All
infractons of the rules and regulations
This is carried to such an extremity that
the superintendent Col Mills, and his chief
assistant, Col. Helm. have come to be re-
garded as regular 'nArtinets." 1t is said
at the War Department that they have
ample authority to deal with all characters
of offenses at the academy, and that there
is scarcely any necessity for further legis-
latiOn for the suppression of the practice
of haZing.
An important essential. however. is the
cooperation of the members of the legis-
lative branch in enforcing the penalties
imposed upon offending cadets. who in
most cases exert the most powerful in
fuence to overcome the action of the aca-
demc board and retain their places at
the academy.
The Senate committee of military affairs
yesterday adopted amendment to the
army bill directing the superintendent of
the Military Academy to make and enforce
such rules and regulations as Will prevent
the practice of hazing, and also providing
that any cadet found guilty of partfcipat-
ing in such practice shall be expelled and
not reappointed either TO the corps OF
cadets or to the army
1t was pointed out at the War Depart
ment that these provisions are not nearly
so severe and comprehensive as the exist
ing regulation at the academy. Under the
law, ii stands. any cadet may be dls-
missed who disobeys a command OF the
superintendent or any superior officer, VINO
drinks intoxicating liquor, or who brings
such liquor within the limits of the acad-
envy. who is absent without leave, who
d
fraudulent act of any kind, &c
Some Academy Regulations.
The following are few Of the existing
regulations designed for the prevention Of
hazing and the maintenance of discipline:
The superintendent shall have power TO
investigate violations Of the regulations
and all neglect, disorder and violations Of
discipline committed by cadets. These in
vestigations shall he conducted, habitualy,
by the commandant of cadets, but may, i'll
the discretion of the superintendent, be
carried on by boards of officers appointed
by the superintendent for that purpose. In
any investigation made under the authority
conferred in this paragraph, the com
maudaut of cadets. or the board of OFFICERS
charged with the conduct Of the same,
shall have the right to require any cadet
TO answer questions as to facts material 10
the inquiry which fall within his knowI-
edge. y refusal to answer shall he report
ed TO the superintendent. who may proceed
against the offender as in case OF dis
obedience 10 orders. If the refusal is on
the ground that the answer Will tend to
crminate the witness the proposed ques-
ton. together with the objection of the wit
ness, shall be submitted TO the superintend
ent in writing, and his decision thereon
shall be final.
NO cadet shall send or accept chal-
lengc to fight a duel, or 10 personal combat
upon pain of being dismissed the service, or
otherwise less severely punished; and all
seconds. promoters and carriers of chal-
le:iges To dueIs or combats will be deemed
principals. and shall be punished accord
ingly.
ANY cadet who shall upbraid another for
refusing challenge shall himself be pun
iShed a challenger.
Any cadet who shall IN any way attempt
to call to personal account another cadet
for having. whilst in the execution Of his
office prescribed duty, corrected
ported the said cadet. shall be dismissed the
service otherwise punished.
Any cadet who shall by any means what
ever traduce defame another shall be
dismissed the service or otherwise less Sc
verely punished according to the nature
and degree of his offense
ANY cadet who shall strike, lay hands
upon, treat with violence, disturb in his
tent, offer any bodily harm TO
another cadet. or to a candidate, with
view To injure, insult, annoy, molest or
harass the same, who shall compel or
permit another cadet or candidate to sweep
his room, make his bed, bring water
perform any other menial service for him,
10 do for him anything Incompatible with
with the position of a cadet and gentleman.
shall be dismissed summariy, by SEN
tence OF court-martial, or be less severely
punished, according to the nature and de-
gree of his offense.
"All combinations. under any pretext
whatever, are strictly prohibited. Any
cadet who. in concert with others. shall
adopt any measure, under pretense of pro-
curing redress of grievances, or sign any
paper, enter into any written or verbal
agreement with view of violating cyad-
ing any regulation of the academy, or who
shall combine. concert WITH join others
in expressing disapprobation, censure of
the conduct OF another cadet or be the
medium of conveying such censure or dis
APPRECIATION or who shall concert. combine
with or join others in doing any act con-
dpation. who shall endeavor TO per
suade others to do the same, shall be dis
MISSED the service"