The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-05-24
FIVE DISMISSED AND SIX SUSPENDED
FOR INSTRUMENTATION
THE ANTI-HAZING REGULATIONS
The Real Cause of the Disorderiy Con-
sult-The Ostensible Cause the Pun.
fshment of Second Glass Cade {.
Cadets Resent the Punishment of
Two of Their Classmates for Haz-
ing-Superintendent Mills Report.

Washington, May 22.-The names of
the Cadets who have been dismissed
from the West Point military academy
as the result of the recent disturbances
there are as follows: Henry L. Bowl
by. Nebraska: John A Cleveland, Ala
bama; Traugett F. Keller, New York:
Raymond a. Linton, Michigan: Birchie
o. Mahaffey, Texas. All these cadets
are Of the second class.
The following cadets have been sus-
pended: Olan c. Aleshire, Illinois; Ben
jannin F. Mcclellan Mississippi James
A. Shannon, Minnesota; Charles Tel
ford. Utah. all OF the second class: also
Thomas n. Gimperling, Ohio, and
Harry Hawley, New York, OF the third
class. Those cadets are suspended
without pay until April l. 1902.
The order of dismissal is signed by
Secretary Root. and states that it is is
sued by direction Of the president upon
recommendation of the superintendent
OF the military academy. The same
language is used regarding the Suspen-
SlonS. There was no cOurt-martial OF
these cadets but under the law the sec
retary has the power to dismiss or sus-
the superintendent.
A board of officers in this particular
case was appointed, which made
thorough examination of the disturb
ance. The board reported the facts to
the superintendent and the superinten-
dent made his report and recommends
tions to the secretary OF war and upon
this report the secretary acted.
The following is the report of Colonel
a. 1. Mills. superintendent OF the West
Point military academy upon which was
based the action of the secretary of
war dismissing the five cadets and sus-
pending six others for a year. Colonel
Mills says:
Il have the honor to report that at
| dusk on the evening OF April 16, 1901,
Immediately after the dismissal of the
battalion of cadets on its return from
supper, large number OF cadets be-
| came engaged in an insubordinate de-
monstration directed at the superin-
tendent Of the military academy. The
demonstration took place in the main
sally port Cf cadet barracks; then in
the area of the barracks: in the sink
on the plain north of the barracks, and,
finally in front OF the superintendent
quarters. It consisted OF cheers, end
ing With the names of two recently
punished cadets; several profane yells
directed at the superintendent and the
| moving Oh the TeNelllS gun from lIS aC-
customed place to a position on the
plain Immediately in front OF the su-
perintendents quarters, at the door Of
which the muZZle was pointed.
The preteXt for this demonstration
was a punishment awarded Cadet Rob
| ert r. Aston. second class, in orders
published at parade that evening. The
actual cause, as established by the tes-
| trnony Of cadets, under oath, taken by
| a board of officers convened the follow
| ing morning and which has made a long
| and exhaustive investigation into the
| affair, was the resentment of a group
| Of insubordinate cadets of the second
| class at measures taken by the superin-
| tendent to enforce the law forbidding
| nazing.
When the civilian candidates report
| the military academy for the
march entrance examinations, it be-
| came evident that members of the
| fourth class were disposed to improper
| ly interfere with them. On March 1st
| Cadet B. Richardson was detected
molesting one and was punished. On
| March 9th, Cadet Lieutenant Myron s.
| Crissy, second class, was punished for
| 'bracing' fourth class men in the man
| ner condemned in the report Of the con-
! gressional investigating committee in
session here last winter. On April 16
| 1901, Cadet Robert r. Ralston, second
| class was punished for fragrant neg
| lect of duty.
| The evidence taken before the board
| shows that the group Of cadets referred
| 10, resenting the first and second of the
| above punishments, began to engage in
| secret meetings in which the superin-
| tendent's actions were criticised and
| condemned and ugly terms were ap-
| piled to him before other cadets. The
| evidence shows that the demonstration
| was first proposed in ranks at parade,
| Immediately after the order Furnishing
Cadet Ralston was published, by three
| cadets prominent in the group, and the
| arrangements for it were completed by
| them in the mess hall at supper.
IT believe it is necessary for the dis
| cipline of the corps Of cadets that the
leaders in the insubordination be sepa-
| rated from the academy for good.
To permit them to remain under any
promise Of reformation would, In my
Judgment, be q mistake and might in
| volve very serious consequences. The
| academy cannot afford to have any
repetition Of hazing or other outbreaks.
The present demonstration plainly ex-
hibits among its leaders a total lack OF
appreciation of their responsibilities
and obligations. entirely inexcusable
among cadets finishing their third year
at the military academy
A Cyclone Strikes Fort Mill