New-York tribune., 1901-01-31
NAVY Denartment.
washington, ID. O, Jan. 30.

haSLiiStont H. -, JAN oV, iJol
Sir: have the honor TO acknowledge the receipt
OF resolution introduced by Mr.. Sherman relative
at the Naval Academy. and asking the views of the
IN reply, permit to inclose copy of letter
which wrote Mr.. Sherman on learning that he
had introduced this bill: also copy of report to
me by the Superintendent of the Academy, whom
wrote in anticipation OF the present request for
have all available informatio in the premises;
need not repeat that both the Department and
the Superintendent would as stated in my letter
Mr.. Sherman. welcome any investigation 1t
investigation will necessarily tend very much to de-
moralize the Academy for the time being, and
rupting the course OF study. / ought TO say. fur
ther that no & complaint has come to me during & the
] now recollect, of any hazing at the Academy;
friends always extremely and properly sensi-
tive in case of any hardship wrong. and had
any such case existed at the Academy feel con-
fdent that complaint would have been made. II is
also noticeable that since the introduction of Mr.
Sherman's resolution no such complaint-indeed no
word at all with reference 10 any alleged practice
rot help thinking that il there We're occasion for
investigation / should have received some sugges-
tion of this kind, especially after the general in
-terest created by the West Point investigation. and
aNer Mr.. sherman's resolution had called public
tnay be permitted TO say also that consideration
tSn usually ordered unless the foundation is
laid for it by evidence of instances Of wrongdoing
and it is presumed that the committee would re-
i suggest further. that before final action the
committee authorize me to summon the Superin-
tendent 10 appear before it, and that, If need be-
subcommittee or the committee Visit AnnapoIlS
where every facility will of course, be open to de-
termine whether there is justification for a formal
investigation.
avert investigation If Congress shall deem 1t
desirable. in which case the Department, Super
intendent and all the officers will heartily
operate In making II thorough and complete. From
the best information l can get however the prac-
tice Of hazing has been as the Superintendent
states. mnimized by the better public sentiment
of late years, and the result of the nvesu-
cation West Point will undoubtedly tend still
further emphasize the sentiment of the public
and of the students themselves against the prac-
tice, that investigation at the Naval Academy
does not seem 70 be required unless foundation
therefor shall be laid above suggested. Very
respectfully. JOHN ID. LONG Secretary.
The letter TO Representative Sherman referred
to by Secretary Long is follows:
Navy Department, Washington January 2s 1901
Dear Mr.. sherman: L have noticed the introduce
ton OF your resolution with regard 70 hazing at
the Naval Academy. Both myself and the Sinner
intendent Commander Wainwright would cordially
welcome most thorough and complete tnyestiga-
only result to the credit of the officers and cadets
There is the serious objection, which / am sure
you VIII appreciate, that the ACCOMMODATING sensa-
ton and interruption TO the studies would
be very injurious to the Academy and nrOba hIv
oemoralize il for the rest OF the year Then foo
there are the exaggerated misapprehensions which
naturally arise In the public mind when an Inyesti
cation is had, even II il IS afterward found thai
there is no occasion for IL. N
do rot say this in order avert the inyestiga-
tien, IL il is desirable. should rather have one