Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-15
NO MERCY SHOWN.
Congressman Piti|ess in Their
West Point Examination.
Cadets Obliged to Answer Questions
They Would Rather tvade.
Probing the Alleged Brutal hazing Practices
10 The Very Bottom.


Congressional committee investigating
the charges of hazing at the Military
Academy. today, held an executive ses-
sion of two hours before resuming the
hearing of testimony.
The first witness examined. today.
was Cadet Lewis Brown, Jr.. of Rhode
Island, who acted as one of Cadet kel-
Iers seconds in his fight with Oscar l..
Boose. Brown was sworn by Judge
Smith and examined by Chairman
Dick. He said he first entered the
academy in 1895 but was discharged in
1896 and re-entered again in the sum-
mer of 1898. In reply to Congressman
Wanger of Pennsylvania, he said:
II was not consulted as to the pro-
priety of calling out Cadet Boose, but
was asked by Keller to act as one of
his seconds in his fight with Boosc on
Aug. 6, 1885,
He named all the cadets who were
present at the fight but was not quite
sure who acted as referee. He thought
it was Cadet Wray. Witness went into
the details of the fight and said that
while there was not an effective blow
struck during the fight Boose laid
down. He was knocked down. He
whimpcred and did not get up when
his seconds asked him to do so. Wit
ness heard some persons say that
Boose was hit in the solar pleXuS. He
thought it was Keller who said so but
the witness did not see such q blow
struck.
Mr.. briggs led the witness by the re-
peatcd questions as to gymnasium
work given to fourth class men during
their first year to acknowledge that
when they cease to be "plebes" they
were in excellent physical condition.
do you ascertain whether the
fourth class men are in good physical
condition when they are asked to fight,
or do YOU take it for granted that they
are?" asked Mr.. briggs.
we take it Cor granted
We'll. let me ask as an athlete do
YOU think it honorable to pit man
whom you know to be in prime physi-
cal condition against one of whose
physical status you know nothing"
Il don't think it is dshonorable, was
the answer
Did you ever know of a cadet faint
ing or having commissions from haz-
ing?" Mr. briggs asked.
Il remember seeing Cadet c. Robin
son, who was a fourth classman With
me. faint while standing attention. lie
was standing with others i'll 4 line OF
attention in charge Of an upper class
man
Was he being hazed?"
He might have been braccd, but l
would not call that hazing," replied
Brown.
Cadet Brown ha aS - N 90
detail by Congressman Wagner on the
d ffeient forms of exercising INDUCED.
in.
Mr.. Wagner resumed the questioning
of Cadet Brown at the afternoon SEES
sion. After the witness had described
the routine of one days work the
colonel asked him about the demcrit
system.
Brown said that when he was preparing
at Lieut. Bradcns school at Highland
Falls. for his entrance to the academy
he learned a good deal Of what ne might
expect in the line Of hazing when lie got
here. lie was initiated in h2zins az
Highland Falls one night b. the 'llod
Carriers.
Did you say anything. there as to what
action YOU would take in case you We're
hazcd when you came here?
II did not talk much. made up my
mind to do what | was told.
How many fights have you attended?
SIX would be about right"
Now if you knew that by doing so you
would be liable To he expelled from the
academy and Your chances Of becoming
an army officer would vanish, would ypH
attend fight?
No, sir. / don't think l would"
And do you think this would deter 9TH
ors from taking part in fist lights
Yes | think So.
ALLOW mo to ask a question said
Judge Smith. the punishment for drink
ing Intoxicating liquors or bringing them
into the academy is absolute dismissal?
YET this has been done. Liquor has
been brought in.
Yes sir
Well. don't You think the men would
attend fights and run the chances of dis
covery and subsequent dismissal just as
well as they would take the other RISKS.
II certainly would not -.
Suppose that in case man was us
covered at a fight that he and every MON
Der of his class would be dismissed, q"
adopted it would stop all this fighting?
asked Mr. briggs.
Yes. sir. think it would
IF a cadet on entering the academy
were to be mace to take an oath against
lighting. do you think that would stop the
practice asked Mr.. briggs
"Suppose YOU received a challenge to a
duel the day after YOU got your appoint
Ircnt, would you accept II: asked toi-
Clayton. .
Yes. I would under certain circum-
stances"
DO you know that Gen. Grant said that
he would refuse the challenge and that
IL tho offence was serious enough ne
would rather kill his man than accept a
challenge in violation of the military
regulations -,
Il thinl, that is a case that every man
has to decide for himself replied the
witness. -oo .,,-
Until O'Clock.
The investigation will be resumed. to-
morrow.