New-York tribune., 1901-01-06
PROBING THE BOOZ CASE.
CoNGRESS COMMITTEE SEEKING FOR
ROCK BOTTOM FACTS-CLERGYMAN
QUESTIONED AS TO PROPRIETY
OF UNSUPPORTED PULPIT
STATEMENTS

Bristol Penn, Jan. 5.-The Congress committe.
which is investigating the alleged nazng of Oscar
Doo~ competed It's work here late this afternoon
ana VIII reconvene in Philadelphia on Monday
morning. Most of the testimony heard TODAY re-
lated to Oscar Booz's mental uhvsicaI and nor
sonal characteristics Ever witness called spoke
Vi the nigh character of the young He was
considered in good health before he went to West
foint and many persons testified as to his changed
cohoition when he returned from the academy II
was also brought that he was proficient in his
studies.
Inc feature of the two sessions held was the
examination of the Rev. Dr. Alexander Alison
pastor of the Bristol PRESBYTERIAN Church at
which the Booz family worshipped. Dr. Alison
dehVered the at the funeral of Booz in
""ich ne made what the committee thought were
illeu charges of severe hazing against cadets
Va west Foint The committee had newspaper ex-
tracts or the sermon read to the pastor which
ne pronounced correct. The members of the COM,
ihittee' especially Mr. briggs, of New-York tried
W " nave Dr. Alison prove the statements he
"ue iii the sermon. This. however, he could not
uo' saying he based of his remarks on what
1le Aaiiiiiy had told him and what he knew of
oscar Booz himself DIR. Alison was closely oues-
llohed as to the propriety of a minister of the
"osPei making statements from the pulpit which
ne could not prove und-r oath. and which might
give the country at large an unfavorable impress
sion OF the National Military Academy 1t was
not the purpose of the committee Chairman Dick
explained to the witness, TO question his honesty
but on the contrary they were trying to get down
to rock bottom facts
The committee will probably finish its work in
Philadelphia on Monday. and will begin the taking
OF testimony of the cadets at West Point on Tues
uay. The committees examination of witnesses
mere and at Philadelphia has been searching
ana the congressman say they will also make
thelr West Point investigation a thorough one.
DR.. William II. Martin the Bristol physican who
examined Oscar Booz to his physical condition
previous TO his entrance into West Point. the
hrst witness. He identified the report he made to
Congressman Wanger, who appointed Booz to the
Military Academy. He was followed by DR.. Willis
+. Weaver. of Bristol. the Booz family physician
VINO did not complete his testimony yesterday. 1t
was testified yesterday by Dr. Weaver that Oscar
Booz. when he went TO West Point had just re-
covered from an attack of acute Iaryngitis Con-
gresham briggs asked Dr. Weaver eft a person
suffering from acute laryngitis had tabasco sauce
administered to him would Il leave a vulnerable
spot for tuberculosis germs to take root"
Yes. sir, was the reply.
DR.. Evan ]. Groom of Bristol another nhvsicia,
who attended Oscar. said he treated him last year
Tor acute tubercular laryngits. He could not give
him any relief, so he sent him to a throat special
list In Philadelphia. The witness thought tabasco
sauce would anect a throat which had been treated
for laryngits. and that ie made him less able 10
resist the Judgement of tuberculosis germs Dr.
Groom corroborated DR.. Weaver in every detail as
to the personal characteristics of Booz He did
not think. however. that the young man was suited
for soldier. lie did not think he could stand the
rigor OF such a life
The Rev w. l. Kolb a retired clergyman. of Bris-
tol. knew Oscar very well. Oscar told him he had
been in a fight at the Military Academy and also
said that of his teeth had been Ioosened in
the contest, and that he had received a severe
blow over the heart. Oscar related him, Mr.
kolb said. how alarmed he the heart blow
and that he consulted surgeon at the academy
who quieted his fears. The surgeon according 20
Oscar. did not ask any questions as to how he
had received the heart blow.
The Rev. DR.. Alexander Alison. OF the Bristol
Presbyterian Church. where young Booz attended
related how a Bible had been presented to Oscar
by the Sunday school association Oscar wrote
20 him that he was reading the Bible every day
and said, among other things. YIt IS hard TO be n
Christian al West Point" The young man after
his resignation cOnfded TO the witness that II was
probably the Lords work and that he had an in
clinatton for career a minister of the Gospel
Oscars father, the witness continued. persuaded
him to study law.