New-York tribune., 1901-01-16
LMPUGNS CADETS VERACITY.
CONGRESSMAN briggs KISSED BY OFF,
GERS AT WEST POINT.
TABASCO SAUCE GIVEN IN HALF-TEASPOON-
Full AND FIFTEEN-DRoP DOSES
THE HAZERS CONFESS

iALERS CONtESS.
West Point Jan. 15.-Cadet Joseph F. Barnes. of
the District of Columbia. who was of Cadet
Keller's seconds in the fight with Booz and who
seems to have knowledge OF the code OF the
corps in regard fstic arguments than any other
cadet at West Point. continued his testimony be-
fore the Congress Investigating Committee when
the hearing resumed this morning
Mr.. briggs. of Brooklyn. took the young witness
in hand and asked him minutey about the Keller
Booz fight. While listening to Barnes's descrlp-
tion of the affair the Brooklyn Congressman in
terrupted the witness and asked:
Under your Infamous and unmanly code of
fighting is it not understood that an upper class
man is selected especially for the purpose of ad-
ministering sound drubbing to the fourth class
man who is called out?'
Yes. sir; it is understood that when fourth
class is called out he is TO be whipped"
"Oh so that's the code" said Mr.. briggs as he
shook his finger the witness. while he arose from
his beside the chairman. Then, leaning tow
ard the witness. he shouted: Young man. this dis
honorable practice you have described would not
be tolerated in any athletic club in the world 1
am admirer of good boxing and wrestling my
self. and never heard of such a cowardly method
of matching men your code calls for. outside OF
the West Point Military Reservation The upper
class man who is party to the calling out OF a
fourth class for the purpose of having him
;hrashed is a coward and the fourth class man
who is beaten is nothing else but hero This
morning L received four letters from Kansas
Massachusetts, New-York and Brooklyn, In all OF
which the mode of fighting and hazins mere Is
called brutal bullyism."
briggs CALLS IT BRUTAL COwARDICE."
That is too mild a description 1 call it brutal
cowardice." said the Kings County Representative
he took his seat
Suppose that an oath administered to a
candidate when he receives his appointment as
cadet this Academy the provisions of which pro
hibited fighting. do you think 1t would stop the
practce?" asked Mr.. Wanger
Yes sir I presume it would. as do not believe
any man would break his OATH But as for mysen'
will say that If had to go back to the time
Of my appointment and an oath was ABOUT
to be administered to which would Prohlon
me from resentng an insult would unhesitatingiy
refuse to take it, and content myself IN some CIVIL
occupation" replied the witness.
You expect to become Army officer very soon'
do you not?' inquired Colonel Clayton
Yes SIR
'Then. after you have become officer. would
you. in violation Of your oath. accept or SEND
challenge to a duel hstic otherwise?
.'If the provocation occurred in certain well de-
fined lines 1 would not violate my oath' put "ouio
resign and send accept a challenge In the event
that I could not meet and shoot my man on sisht.
"Are you member OF the scrapping commlttee'
asked Mr.. briggs.
YES sir: of my class"
Have any fights been arranged recently
No az; in my class"
Are there any likely TO take place oefore TINS
committee goes away?' asked General Dick
quietly.
"I don't think so sir" replied the witness much
to tho amusement of the committee as we'll as the
spectators.
MKINLEY ON RECORD AGAINST HAzIN6.
Speaking of hazing Mr.. wanger. addressing the
witness said: do you know that one Wiiiani
Mckinley now the President OF the United states,
when a member of Congress said that ne would
INT rQTv
Academy in case hazing could not be stopped
there?''
Yes sir
And the late James G. Blaine had the same
ideas" said Mr.. briggs. And so also old Aaehary
Taylor" added Judge Smith.
II knew about Mr.. Blaine's views. sir. but L
never heard of Mr.. Taylor's. and may I say that
these men never asserted that hazing could not
be stopped?
Cadet George Moore Russell of New-Hampshire.
was next called. Colonel Clayton asked the wit
ness:
Did you ever see tabasco sauce given to any
cadet at your table?"
Yes sir. have much ten to hf-
teen drops given to the gunner at the table in
order to make him prompt in getting the
waiter to furnish the food for the table"
Did it quicken his wits or his movements?"
asked Mr. Wanser
Both, sir"
Did you ever take any sauce yourself?''
Yes. sir. only couple or drops IL tasted not,
added the witness
"Of course, it did said Mr.. Wanger.
ANSWER Anglers MR.. briggs.
do you think it is fair play to haze fourth
class men for the purpose of making them do
things which are violations of the academic rules
and for which they liable to receive punishment
by the authorities of the institution
We'll, I don't think il unfair
You who have been three years in this Academy
saw 90 said MIR briggs, angrily.
Yes l think the end justified the means" was
the reply.
Were you ever at any soiree where cadet
No, sir but I Cadet Deem feigning to faint.
as he told us he going to fool the upper class
men He was my classmate. and l was rather
amused at his success:
asked about the administration of tabasco or pep
He said he had had to take axe h half IF d-on tea
Cadet Fred L. Deem. of Texas. who when testi-
yng before me len dry @ & cGu sad bs naIe1 raed nd
sworn Examined by Judge smith. Deem said he
How much tabasco sauce did you prescribe for
Mr., Booz?' -. .. s,s +.,,s
l probably did give him some" 1870 -.
Booz iU and tell him he would have to use it all
within certain timt!
What do you mean by the word probaby'?''
This seemed to puzzle the Texan who finally re-
piled:
THINKS HE GAVE SAUCE TO Booz.
II mean that If 1 sat at the table the odds
are 1 gave Booz some sauce. l gave it to a good
many fourth class men. and can't remember any
particular one
Were you not the chief exponent of the efficacy
of this sauce in making the gunner attend to his
duties the table!
4 don't think was the only one
DO YOU il w" asked the Judge
No sir; l stopped il some months ago
Nov don't you know that you only stopped when