The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-12-19
Mount Holly Row Accused

/ A telegram received last week by DIR.
G. W. Van Derveer. of Mount Holly, con-
tanned intelligence that was not very
| pleasant, and which created much uneasi-
ness among the friends Of the doctor and
his son. Warren Van Derveer is cadet
in the Naval Academy, at Annapolis. and
by his attention to the duties of the insti-
tuition has already reached the rank of lieu
tenant, although he has not been in
the academy very long time. His con-
duct has been exemplary, and his marks
for attention to duties and for proficiency
OF studies have been of the highest.
Hence the announcement that he had
been suspended, with recommendation
for dismissal, came like thunderbolt.
The charge against the young man was
that he was cognizant of case of hazing,
and had not reported it. A cadet from
Tennessee was hazed to such an extent
that he was apparently ill. Van Derveer,
it is claimed, found the boy in this con
dition and did not report the fact.
At first it was charged that the hazing oc-
CURED while the Mount Holly boy was on
duty, and was in such position as to be
unable to be ignorant of it. On this idea,
probably, the order of suspension and dis
missal was hurriedly made. In response
to the telegram from his son, Dr. Van
Derveer at once proceeded to Annapolis
He found the matter, in his estimation,
less serious than appeared on the surface,
but with the feeling that has recently
arisen owing to the disclosures in hazing
events, more notice had been taken than
would otherwise have occurred.
Young Van Derveer's side of the story
ia that when he went on duty he found
a cadet in bed, apparently indisposed.
On inquiring the nature of the illness he
was told that it was very slight, and the
sick boy said he would soon be around,
and asked that he be not reported, as he
did not wish to go to the sick ward.
In granting this request probably the
of judgment. The affair reached the ears
of the authorities and the truth came out.
Acting quickly the authorities determined
to make an example. and the recommen-
dations followed.
With his usual energy DR.. Van Derveer
began to look after the interests OF his
son, and interviewed the commandant
of the academy, and then went to Washing
ton to confer with the Secretary of the
Navy. He insisted that this affair be given
a thorough Investigation, that his boy
have square DEAL" and that no "snap
judgment" be recorded. This, the was as
sured, would be done. In addition to Wis
iting the officers mentioned, DR.. Van
Derveer related the case to Governor
Stokes, who telegraped to Senator Dryden
and Congressman Gardner, these officials
having been instrumental in gaining ad
mission to the academy for the young man.
They have given assurance that they will
use their best endeavors to have the mat
ter fairly and impartially considered.
This is all that is desired. Take away all
prejudice owing to other cases of hazing
and divest this incident of any possible
desire to make an example of some one,
and the probability is that most of the
first reports will be Invested of many
of the sensational incidents given out.
In the meantime the order of suspension
has been modified, as Van Derveer is at
tending to his duties, with one or two
slight exceptions.