Evening star., 1901-02-19
WEST POINT HAZING
Animated Discussion in the Senate
Over Proposed Penalties.
VIGOROUS OBJECTIONS VOICED
Resolution Governing Theater Ii
censes in District Passed.
OTHER LEGISLATIVE NEWS

AT the opening Of today's session Of the
Senate a joint resolution regulating licenses
to theaters in the District of Columbia was
passed.
1t provides that any license issued by the
Commissioners to the proprietors of a thea
ter or other public place Of amusement in
the District Of Columbia may be terminated
by the Commissioners whenever it shall
appear to them that after due notice the
person holding the license shall have failed
to comply with such regulations as may be
prescribed by the Commissioners for the
public decency.
Mr.. Hale chairman of the committee on
naval affairs, favorably reported from that
committee bill to revive the grade OF
vice admiral of the navy, and authorizing
the President, with the advice and consent
of the Senate, to appoint two vice admirals
from the hist of active rear admirals of the
navy.
He asked Immediate consideration for the
bill.
Both Mr. Butler On C) and Mr. Petit
grew Is. d. were on their feet instantly
with objections.
Under the objection" said Mr.. Hale.
"the bill Will go to the calendar. l give
sena tors notice that as soon as practicable
I will call up the bill. If anything is to be
done it should be done within a few days
in order that it may have consideration by
the House of Representatives and the Pres
ident. If it be delayed long it will fall by
the wayside and nothing will be done.
Mr. Warren Wyo) asked unanimous
consent that the Senate meet at 10 o'clock
claims bill. Mr.. Pettigrew objected.
A resolution offered by Mr. Chandler was
agreed to calling upon the Secretary of the
Navy for the report of the test of fire
proof wood taken from the torpedo boat
Winslow.
The resolution of Mr. Chandler providing
for the consideration of memorial resolu-
tfonS at special session next Sunday went
for one day.
Isthmian Canal Advocated.
In accordance with previous notice, Mr..
Deboe Ky) addressed the Senate in advo-
cacy of the construction of an isthmian
canal. He reviewed at length the steps
leading up to the present situation in re-
spect to the canal, quoting from treaties
and from the utterances of eminent states
men upon the subject He believed that the
canal was demanded imperatively by the
material interests of the United States. He
argued that it should be constructed by d-
rect appropriation from the United States
treasury, feeling assured that the govern
ment would not suffer thereby any ulti
mate loss.
Mr.. Deboe maintained that the treaty,
only recently ratified by the Senate, gave
the United States the right to control the
Cdldi WuSil COLS uCltu
Penalties for Hazing.
AT the conclusion Of Mr.. Deboe's speech,
Mr.. Sewell called up the conference report
on the Military Academy appropriation bill,
which aroused the opposition of Mr.. Dan
iel Va) at the close Of yesterdays ses-
sion. Mr.. Sewell defended the action of the
conferees, holding that they had followed
the instructions of both the Senate and the
10 hot
thought Booz was killed by hazing, and if
there was anything this country demanded
1t was law to prevent such a crime as
hazing
Mr.. Pettus argued that the provision of
the conference report which debarred a
cadet convicted of haZing from ever hold
ing commission in the armv navy and
marine corps was clearly unconstitutional.
Favored Hazins in Moderation.
Mr.. Butler urged that Congress ought
not to be swept off it's feet by popular
clamor. He believed that in this instance
Congress was enacting extreme legislation
without due consideration. He said hazing
in moderation was not a thing to be put
down by penal legislation. In fact, he
thought 1t good practice to limited
extent and in certain cases. He had known
men In college who were the better for haz-
ing IN moderation. 1t did them good-took
the conceit out of them. He thought the re-
port ought to be recommtted to conference.
Mr.. Hawley. chairman of the military af-
fairs committee, thought the penalty for
hazing ought to be limited to dismissal from
the academy, with a prohibition against re-
admission. The penalty as provided in the
conference was, in his judgment, too
sey ere.
IIr. Depew In Opposition.
Mr.. Depew, in opposing the hazing pen
atty. declared it had been adopted under
It, -.
upon impulse rather than upon Judgment
1t was conceded by all that hazing should
be prohibited, but he felt that injustice
would be done by the proposed provision
He agreed that dismissal from the academy
ought to follow conviction of hazing, but
tfat the young man should not leave West
Point with brand upon him; brand that
would remain upon him through life was
going too far. He suggested that a con-
spiracy might be organized against some
s tine of So that s
as criminal for life He could not run for
office. the brand would stand against
him, and it would stand against him in his
business. 1t would be punishment almost
equivalent to the Russian method of ban
ishing students to Siberia and to the mines
for violation of college regulations.
Mr.. Chandler was willing that a cadet
convicted Of hazing should be dismissed
from the academy. but he thought he
should be debarred from holding a commits
sion for only limited number of years
He thought no perpetual stigma ought to
be put upon him.
Mr.. Allen (Neb.). in opposing any change
in the penalty prescribed by the conference
report for hazing had read a part of the
report of the House committee which in
vestigated the death of young Booz, which,
he declared. had mo parallel for barbarity
in prize fighting. In bear-baiting or in bull
batting"
No Credit to the Academy.
Mr.. Spooner thought the conferees had
done their full duty. in accordance with
the action Of both branches of Congress,
but he would vote to recommit the report
to the committee in order that modifca-
ton Of the provision might be made. All
agreed that hazing al West Point ought to
be suppressed. But" said he, 'the prac-
tice Of hazing has been carried to an ex-
tent that is degrading. brutal and, in some
respects, to a point near the danger line.
That 1t has been permitted is no credit to
the institution
Mr.. Tilman interrupted to say that those
1Atc, wy1,D A4%t, ,1A x>s.,