The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-24
more LIGHT ON HAZING
Ex-Cadet Sheldon BEFORE the Con-
gressional Committee.
The Witness Tcstifics Concerning the
Treatment of Booz. by whom He
Was Served as especial Duty MAN"
at the Academy - The Latter Not
Neat in Personal Appearance.

sheldon was formerly a Cduet dt NSSN
Point, and Booz stood in the relation to
him of special duty man.
BOOKS health. Sheldon said, was not
good and II was due to this, he thought,
that Booz could not look him in the face.
Witness did not remember ever having
exercised Booz, never required him to take
tabssco souce and never heard of his
taking any. He had, however, exercised
other fourth class men.
Representative Wsnger questioned Shell
don regarding ex-Cadet Breth, but wit
ness remembered nothing abou, the hazing
of Breth.
Representative briggs asked concern
ing tie hazing OF Farnsworth and Tyler
but witness knew nothing of them Shell
don said: Il never approved of violent
exercising, and took little part in it." He
had no knowledge of the hazing of Bren-
ton, Jewett, Sheridan. or others.
To Representative Clayton he said he
had chosen Booz as a special duty man
largely because no one else seemed to
want him. Sheldon had left the Academy
because he had been found deficient in his
studies He had been court-martialed for
ton wanted to know if this had anything
to do with his leaving the Academy. Wit
ness did not wish to answer. but after a
brief discussion Representative Dick re-
questsd him 10 answer. Il believe the
court martial did affect my academic
standing" said the witness. who displayed
no resentment at the question.
He did not think cadets were reported
because they were unpopular, but were
of ~ hai
due to class pride. Mr. Clayton wanted
to know If he had suffered because of
his unpopularity.
Il don't see why you say | was unpop
ular" said the witness.
Granting you were not-that you were
popular Did you derive any benefit from
such popularity"
Witness replied he had not. that pop
ular men were reported as often as they
would have been if they were unpopular.
Booz was unpopular because of his man
ner, his carelessness, and his shiftless-
ness. He knew nothing of his resigning.
Mr.. Wanger examined the witness on
Booz's shiftlessness. Sheldon said Booz
was not Clearly, his carriage was not
erect, his clothes were not cared for
MIR. Wanger asked him If he knew that
Booz bore the opposite reputation in his
home community And also from the
testimony at West Point interrupted
Representative briggs.
NO" replied Sheldon.
More questioning on this point failed
to shake the witness from his statement
How would you account, then" said Mr.
Wanger. "for his always having been a
bright and cheerful lad before he went to
West Point and then becoming morose
and sullen2"
i would attribute it to his health;
the work was too faiigufng.'
In reply to Representative briggs, wit
ness said the most severe hazing he had
heard of was that of Cadets Harley and
Dean.
Representative Dick asked concerning
the duties of special duty man.
Witness said he Was required TO make
and unmake the bed. prepare refresh
ments, sweep out the tent, prepare it for
inspection, clean brasses and guns. carry
water, and perform other services.
rs that authorized"
No, sir; not by the authorities These
special duty men are allotted by the up
per classes, without authority"
BooZ, he said, had served him for a
week, when he was dropped and, as far
as witness knew, Booz served no other
Booz had made no complaints, but left
many things undone. which was the rea-
son he dropped him. Booz was not asser-
tive; was necessarily retiring
Why so?" he was asked
Why" said the witness in surprise.
he was a fourth-cIsss man and must be
retiring"
Mr.. Dick ELECTED the fact that if he was
not retiring he would be hazed; if he de-
clined 10 be hazed he was called out. and
If he refused TO fight he was cut by the
corps Booz, therefore chose TO be re
firing"
Representative Dick asked him regard
ing other details of the camp, which wit
ness remembered very we'll but nothing
connected with Booz's death. Booz's skin
was not clear. his body not erect HIS eye
was dull-evidences of ilI-heaIth.
Questioned as TO his (witnessD court
martial. Sheldon objected to answering
Mr. Dicks questions. He said however
that the regulations did not require
salute of the fencing master, yet witness
was court-martialed for not saluting him
witness had never been severely hazed
but thought Cadet J. B. Ray had been
hazed as much as any other Witness
had been "eagled," hung on a stretcher
and compelled to do other exercises until
he was quite exhausted although he never
tainted. He did not think that eating
soap could be called a form of cruel haz-
ing, ct which statement a broad smile
ran around the room. II was given more
as joke than anything else. although II
was administered TO cadets who INDUCED
In swearing. Plebes were also set TO
chewing the wooden frames OF stretchers
He recognized about fifty forms Of hazing
mentioned By various committeeman as
having been in vogue during his term
"Summoning to Newburg' was considered
as joke-to the man watching it. 1t was
an offence for hazed cadet to look sui
len, but he was permitted to look tired
and bored"
Mr.. Wanger wanted to know II the
ability of first class men to distinguish
between the two expressions was a
natural gift or acquired during their
Academy experience. Witness thought
It was natural gift. He had been hazed
for looking at an upper class man.
DO you call that a small offence2"
asked Representative briggs Ironically.
Yes the witness replied. "at that
time
But you changed your mind when YOU
became an upper class man?"
Yes. sir"
He had submitted to hszing. because
he did not care to go against 400 cadets
He admitted he had violated the rules OF
the Academy in submitting to hazing. The
committee then adjourned until tomorrow
morning at 10 o'clock.
THE DOCTORS WIFE