The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-30
WHOLESALE HAzLNG
/. EVILS REVEALED
Middies at Annapolis Own the
81 Entire First Glass Has
III Offended.

Annapolis, Md, Dec. 3O.-Mid:
shipman Stephen Decatur, Jr., charged
with hazing Midshipman Isaac N.
McCrary and Gaylord Church, was
arraigned before the naval court-mar-
tial this afternoon and pleaded not
guilty on all specifications.
The developments Of the last twenty
four hours, connecting SO many members
Of the graduating classes with hazing,
as well as the persistent rumors Of the
wholesale implication of other midship-
men by the facts adduced by the board
of inquiry, which has been in session
for the last three weeks here, have
aroused the whole body of naidshipmen
to pitch Of great excitement. The mid
shipmen, particularly the first class men,
are wondering who will be taken next.
It is freely admitted that M st Of them
are involved, tho less is now, being said
crusade. Il. -: = -
I'll @- Others Accused.
The only other midshipnnan against
whom charges have actually been laid
at this time is Worth Wright Foster of
New Albany, Ind, tho it is known that
Carroll G. Graves of Spokane, Wash,
There seems to be good foundation for
the report that at least twenty members
Of the first class have been connected
with some incident of hazing by the
testimony brought out by the court of
inquiry, and the number of members of
the second and third classes is put at
125.
1t is not known whether the facts
will justify charges in all these cases
and it is said to be quite possible that
the authorities will consider the ex-
1ciO ~ oil hn al
Of hazing as a sufficient object lesson to
the lower class men at this time. No
official statement has been made, how
ever, that in any way suggests that
every midshipman will not be brought to
trial if facts warrant it.
Chiefs Word L. Final.
Washington, Dec. 30.-Altho the
papers in the case of Midshipman
Tremnor Coffin, Jr., whose trial by
courtmartial on the charge of hazing
has just been concluded at Annapolis,
will be forwarded to the navy depart
ment for execution, approval by the
superintendent Of the sentence Of the
June %, 1874, provides that "any
cadet, midshipman or cadet-engineer
found guilty Of said offense by said
i court shall upon recommendation of
said court be dismissed and such find
ing, when approved by the superintend-
emit, shall be final, and the cadet SO dis
missed from the naval academy shall
forever be ineligible to reappointment
to said naval academy
Moody's Advice.
In letter to the secretary Of the
navy in March, 1876, the attorney
general says: ri do not believe that
The president would be justified in thus
abrogating the clear intent and plair
meaning Of a salutary statute and the
attorney general wishes strongly to ad
wise against any such course as will
tend by indirection to nullify the stat
ute.
i In the same letter the attorney gen
eral said further:
i It is evident from the reading Of
i the statute that the congress intended
to put an end to the disgraceful Gus
tom of hazing at the naval academy
and that congress meant to cut off al
1 chance. of reinstatement or reappoint
ment from q cadet who had been fount
4 guilty of the offense by courtmartial
4 If such action should be approved b.
the department.
4 Attorney General Moody has ruled
:. that the law of March 8, 1908, does no
!, contradict the law of 1874
Prompt action will be taken by tn,
navy department as soon as the paper
iare received.