New-York tribune., 1901-01-11
BARE KNUCKLES FOR PLEBES
No GLOVES AND NO QUARTER IN FIGHTS
AT WEST POINT.
H.z1NG INQUIRY RESUMED YESTERDAY
CONGRESSMAN BRIGGS ON MARQUIS
OF oUEENsBERRY RULES.

CONGRESSMAN DfS1GGo O-N SA<1ANN~~-~
OF oUEENsBERRY RULES.
West Point. N Y Jan. 1O.-Before the members
of the Congress Investigating Committee resuileu
their INQUIRIES into the charges OF hazlng al the
| Military Academy this morning, they visited the
e-,o grounds and Fort Clinton, where many fights
between cadets have taken place. Colonel CLAYTON
who is a graduate of the Academy, explained 'ne
arrangerent of the tents in the summer eleaIlip
ments to his brother committeeman, ana "heh tnsS
y;s,,ed tha rink in the Of the camp the
stre+cbing'' process by which several cadets we're
bazed was described. After the Congressmen had
completed their executive session at tAe Nest
Point Hotel last niGht they decided that they Wod
call as the first witness this morning Horace boo%'
Of Buffalo brother of the dead eX-cadet' VINO ap-
peared before the military court 49,.
The Investigators arrived at the Academy ouiia-
ing at $50 O'Clock. but the expected witness had
not yet arrived. and there was conslderaoie ue-
lay About lo:15 o'clock Cadet William X Settlson'
OF Kentucky was called and sworn
In reoly TO Judge Smith, Of Iowa, the witness
said u am president of the first class. and have
been president Of my class for two years
The witness was then asked about the lighting az
the Academy and his testimony brought out the
fact that there had been half dozen or more
fights in each year of his course
DO you know" asked Mr.. Smith. how many OF
these fights have been investigated by the authori
ties Of the Academy
None that know of, sir.
And consequently no has been punished
during all these toUr years lor nShtlns-
None, sir
Did you yourself ever hght?"
NO sir but have oficiated at several" replied
Betuson-
How do these fights occur"
III offence is reported 70 me and deem 1t is
serious enough. call seven eight men together.
Il they decide that action should be taken the
offender is called out
That is the scrappng Committee. is it not?''
Yes. sir
81 ,
NO, sir, although generally can the same men
together
"who are they?'
Mr.. Deem Mr.. West Mr.. Meyer. Mr.. SpaIdIng
| Mr.. Lynch and Mr. Keller"
Does this same custom obtain in each of the four
classes
Yes sir
Are not most of these lights with fourth class
me2:"
WY is thts?''
,A5ys 5Syss 5nsnSss "a any soaRsctIon with haring
Iaa Refgsing to obey orders and regulations Of the
tb gs S. VINES :sg in reply to ether qqes01s said that
called OUT but acknowledged that the means Of
queS ed was the threat TO can him OUT The rea-
generally the better physical development Of the
upper class men Some OF the men got so marked
we're asked any anSwsrs tha5 might Be mads
was noi tolerated by the cadets. it was eonsid-
In reply 70 a direct question about these marks
dicate t1at a hght had occurred There is good
deal OF boxing in the gymnasium, and men could
DO you remember when Cadet Boor was here
any cadet with the under Standing that S he ws5 De0tS S
nnish It before the end OF the camp asked Mr..
mo. sir
The witness went to say that on one occasion
chew
70 the upper class men thar he had gold dlilng In
6 af 50R and 9 he 1 Sd sIt i have M to do Il He had to
Colonel Clayton asked the witness several ques
HGnS d w@nfh ms ~ pI0TgiS b out the faet that cadet
thSrsles 4g had no 10 way to md out -
BY @ the oh e5 b ms n frPs Pgoa9 %a evee BE
used +s to make man an fgnS The & fear Of oStraeis
Congressman Dr!ggs.s OF Brooklyn, took the wit
little more about this style OF lighting"
rules E duSs 81 sterS e @h 10
showed that the re- p & from Kings had
plies given TO ms many questions pIoysd that
How are the men dressed?' asked the Brooklyn
Stripped to the waist: wearing pants or drawers
No gloves asked MIR. Driggs. with feigned sur
prise
Under what rules are these fights conductea9'
rounds ana one minute rests renlied tbe Uitnsss
Mr.. briggs smiled. He evidently that there
very little QueensberTy in these rules
Il going to fighting term that we
can the better understand each other" said Ar.
Drisgs. Suppose man is Groggy when he goes
to his corner the end of the two minute round
what is done?''
His seconds try to revive him.
And if he is still groggy at the expiration OF
minute rest what is done then?
''Ee goes on, sir
well, what them"
IF he's groggy. he does not last long" replied
the witness.
Then it's q finish fight in every case?"
''Yos sir but in some might break
his hand something like that, and according to
how the fight stood at that time it might be called
a draw"
You are football player?'
Eyes. sir
What position do you play. may askg'
Centre"
Mr.. briggs a football player on the Crescent
team in 1889 and 1891 being unable 10 PLAY in 1880
because of an injury received in that year.
Now. then. when a is injured in a football