The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-20

The Senate yesterday devoted over FIVE
hours to the discussion of the conference
report on the Military Academy bill. The
amendment providing that any cadet found
guilty of hazing shall be dismissed from
the Academy and forever barred from en-
tering the army or navy or holding a
position under the Government caused a
lot of debate. Messrs. Butler, Pettus.
Hawley, Depew, Hale. Spooner. Chandler.
Bacon, Money, Wolcott, Teller. Daniel,
McCumber. Kenney, Allen. Proctor. Lodge,
and others protested against the amend
ment as too severe.
Mr.. Pettus argued that the provision in
question was unconstitutional
Mr.. Butler also opposed the provision
although he did not consider it unconsti-
tutional But he objected that there was no
active definition of hazing. He had been
hazed at college himself, and it had done
him no harm.
Mr.. Hawley, Chairman of the Military
Committee, expressed the opinion that The
penalty for hazing should go no further
than expulsion from the Academy with a
prohibition of re-entry. He thought that
the penalty of the bill was too severe.
Mr.. Dcpew said that the case was one
where action had taken place under pub
lie ciamor and under impulse rather than
Judgment. The whole country agreed that
hazng at West Point as developed in the
testimony should be prohibited But un-
der the provisions of the conference report
great Injustice would be done to the young
men in that institution. 1t was all right,
as proposed that the cadet convicted of
haZing should be dismissed. but not that
he should be excluded from appointment
in the Army OF Navy or Marine Corps. 1t
was possible to conceive cases where the
sneaks and towards OF an institution might
conspire against an unpopular student. or
against one more successful than them
selves and post him as a criminal for the
rest of his days.
Mr.. Proctor spoke against the amend
ment, saying that it was too strong.
Mr.. Chandler said that he wanted the
amendment modified, making the punish
ment last for cnly five or ten years.
Mr.. Allen said that he would be salts
fed with ten years punishment. although
some of the cadets had been guilty Of
felony
Mr.. Spooner argued that the boys should
not be disfranchised for life.
Mr.. Kenney agreed to a ten-year limit.
Mr. Allen read the conference report
MIR. spnoner spoke at length against the
amendment as too severe.
Mr. Teller favored legislation against
haZing. but did not deem it wise to make
The punishment so severe.
Mr.. Lodge scored the amendment as
cruel. He said that ii placed che cadets
al the mercy OF all tale-bearers. and was
TOO extreme. He held that the West Point
cadets we're no worse than those in any
nfb He hn unhn
which had turned out Grant and Lee and
Sherman
MIR. McCumber said that the amend
ment would not prevent the murderers Of
Booze from becoming commanders in the
United States Army.
Mr.. Wolcott spoke against the amend
ment as tending TO make milk sops and
school children, he said and should not be
treated as such.
Mr.. Hale argued against the amendment |
and against the action OF the conferees
He said that the intention was 10 make |
corps OF spies and sneaks do duty at West |
Point
Mr.. Hale favored sending back the CON
ference report and having a properly
limited provision on the subject I'VE |
have made a tremendous uproar over this |
matter" he declared. "as if there was $50 |
such set OF malefactors on the face of the |
globe the students at West Point
Mr.. Money argued in favor of the con- |
ference report. and INDUCED in a Herce !
of the hazers of West Point |
He would not disparage West Point. hut |
he thought that the country could get |
along without it. In the recent wars, and |
In all the wars of the country, the vol |
unteers had stood forth as the exem7Iars 1
OF the grandeur and courage of the Ameri- |
can pecple-and not the regulars.
During pause in the discussion the |
River and Harbor bill was reported and |
notice was given by Mr.. Nelson that lie
would call ii up as soon as possible
Mr.. Daniel opposed the conference re-
port. which. he said, was an illustration
Of the old maxim that hard cases make
bad laws" He doubted II there could be
found a population of $50 young men in
any town or township among whom there
was such good order and social discipline |
as at West Point. It was a reproaeh. |
he said on American civilization to char
those boys that had gone forth |
from the best American homes as per-
vaded by brutal spirit. He ridiculed the |
nnaudlin sentimentality" which wanted TO /
place West Point cadets under military |
wet nurse, and which called upon all the |
gods at once to come and go and catch t
a boy. because he had hit another boy /
too hard in a fight
M ll4ilidus 10 MS altiStOI
TO West Point cadets as dogs" and |
"brutes," said that he almost felt ready |
to apologize for such a comparison be- |
cause no big dog would ever abuse a |
little pug.
Finally. after discussion lasting over |
five hours, the conference report was re |
jected. yeas Is; nays ~. The vote follows: |
Yeas-Ailen. Carter. Cockren. Hanna, |
Harris. Kyle, McIaurin.
Money. Nelson. Petugrew, Seweil, Shoup |
Simon, Sullivan. Teller. Tfllman. and war |
ren-1S
Nays-Allison. Bacon. Bate Berry. But
Ter, Caffery. Chandler, Clapp, Clay, Cul- |
hersou. Cullom, Daniel, Deboe. Depew |
Dolliver. Fairbanks. Foster. Frye. CALI |
ger. Hawley, Jones Of Arkansas, Kearns. |
Lindsay, Lodge. McComas McCumber
McEillan, Martin. Morgan. Per-
dns, Piatt of Connecticut, PFitchard
Quarles. Rawlins, Spooner. Stewart
Thur5ton. Turley. Vest, Wetmore. and
Woicott-i2
a new conference was ordered. and
TO CURE TIE GRIP IN TWO DAYS
Laxative BEonno- Qainine removes the cause.
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