Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-01-16
ARMY OFFICERS KISSED
At cONGRESSMANDR
WHEN HE ASKED CADET DEEM A
QUESTION THAT IMPLIED HE
WAS A LIAR.
VERY STRONG LANGUAGE USED
IN DENOUNCING WEST POINT
METHODS. 1ra -sJ

WEST POINT, N. Y, January 10
Cadet Joseph F. Barnes of the Dis
trict of Columbia, who was one of
Cadet Keller's seconds, and who seems
to have more knowledge of the code
of the corps in regard to fistic argu-
ments than any other cadet at the
West Point Academy, continued his
testimony to-day.
| The young man had quite a trying
time.
| Judge Smith did not mince words
! when telling the witness, who is on
7 the eve of graduation, TIT the first
class men were arrogant ignorant
and conceited in addition, when they
commended the West Point system Of
fighting against the judgment of the
officers of the academy and in viola
ton Of rules.
Mr. briggs took the witness and
asked him infinitely about the Keller
Booz fight While listening to
Barnes description Of the affair, the
Brooklyn congressman interrupted
the witness and asked him: Under
your infamous and unmanly code of
fighting is it not understood that an
upper class man is selected especially
for the purpose of administering
sound drubbing ID the fourth class
man who is called out?'
Yes, sir; it is understood when a
fourth class man is called out he is to
be whipped.
"Oh, so that's the CODE said Mr.
briggs as he shook his finger at the
witness, while he arose from his seat
beside the chairman, then leaning to-
wards the witness, he shouted:
Young man, this dishonorable prac-
tice you have described would not be
tolerated in any athletic club in the
world. The upper class man, who is
party to the calling out of a fourth
class man for the purpose of having
him thrashed is a coward and the
fourth class man who is beaten is
nothing else but a hero. That is too
mild description. l call it brutal
cowardice."
By MI. Wanger: Suppose an oath
Wore administered, do you think it
would stop the practice?"
Yes, sir; but as for myself, if an
oath was to be administered, which
would prohibit me from resenting an
insult, would content myself in some
civil occupation"
You expect to become an officer
very soon, do you not?" inquired Col
Clayton.
Yes, sir.!'
Then after you have become an Of
ficer would you in violation of your
oath accept Or send & challenge to a
duel, fistic or otherwise?"
III the provOcation occurred in we'll
defined lines, would not violate my
oath, but would resign and send or ac-
cept challenge, in the event that
could not meet and shoot my man on
sight"
During the afternoon session Cadet
George M. Russell, of New Hampshire,
was asked by Mr.. briggs:
DO you think it is tair play to haze
fourth class men for the purpose of
making them do things which are vilo-
latlons of the academic rules and for
which they are liable to receive pun
ishment by the authorities of the in
stitutlon?"
We'll, | don't think it was unfair"
gu, who have been three years in
this academy and say SOP" said Mr..
briggs, angrily.
ICES, THINK the ends justified the
means, was the reply.
Cadet Fred l.. Deem, of Texas. who.
when before the military court said:
L hazed Booz just to make him
fell good" was then called and sworn
Examined by Judge Smith. Dixon said
he remembered Cadet Booz. We're
you not the chief exponent of the eff
ticiently to tabasco sauce"
Deem said its use had been stopped
Now, don't you know that you
only stopped when Booz died and his
death was practically laid at your
door,"
His death was never laid at my
door,
Mr.. briggs handed a list OF second
and third class men to Deem and ask
ed him to name all those whom he had
exercised.
Deem mentioned the name of Cadet
Sheridan as the only one he could re-
member.
Why is it that you remember Mr..
Sheridan and don't remember about any
one else?' asked Mr. briggs
don know sir; l just remember
"pUut MI pueIlNdu, repned Deem.
What is it? Is it a case of convenient
memory"
No, sir" This answer was downed in
storm of Kisses which began in the
northeast corner of the room. 1t ran
around the room, which was filled with
women and officers
The kissing was particularly strong
from the seats behind the reporters,
ting.
Mir; briggs asked that the court room
| be cleared.
AS the officers and men left the room
they were all talking of the affair, and
Mr.. briggs came in for a full share of
condemnation in asking a question that
tended TO cast doubt on the truthfulness
of the witness.