The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-01-09


velOpments today at the naval academy
We're important. Stephen Decatur
Ir., the first of the member of the first
class to be put on trial, was declared
acquitted, and restored to duty, but
was rearrested shortly after and will
be tried under other charges of hazing
under the act Of 1874, and of encourag
ing or countenancing hazing under the
act of 1903. 1t is authOritatively
stated that he will fight these charges.
Announcement was made unOtficially
that Midshipman Trenmor Coffin, Jr.,
of the third class from Carson City,
Nevada, has been convicted of haZing
Midshipman Kimbrough and dis
missed.
During the trial of Midshipman Mar
zoni, it developed that a tagging sys-
tenn exists at the academy, under class
men being expected to bring food from
the breakfast table ito upper classmen
when they miss the formation
1t was also made clear that since the
hazing investigation began, upper
clasSmen have been subjecting each
other to the practices generally visited
upon fourth claSsmen, so as to be able
to testify that certain things were not
done to under classmen only, and con-
sequently, do not constitute hazing.
An intimatiOn Of this has been gained
by previous testimony, but it remain
ed for Midshipman Robert w Caba-
Mss, first claSSman from Birming-
ham. Ala, to finally let the cat out of
the bag, when he stated that since the
session of the court of inquiry begun
the first class midshipmen and others
1T his table had been required to re-
ject dessert
This was only required of fourth
classmen up to few weeks ago. In
the Marzoni trial. Chester S. Roberts
testified that he was ordered to Mar
zoni's room, where he had to do Mum
ber 16."
Roberts said that he had been told
TO go to the room and say to Marzoni,
IF she had been a dog, do you think
she would have taken it,"
Fourth Classman Benjamin W. I've
CT Atlanta, said that he had brought
Marzoni's breakfast to him. Il did
not mind it bit" he said He had
done it about six times. Tye said that
there was friendly feeling between
himself and Marzoni and that they
were from adjoining southern states.
Tis fact, he said, made him perfectly
willing to do the service for Marzoni
On cross examination Tye said that
he did not consider the services he
performed for MarZoni as mental nor
did they annoy him or harrass him.
He said that he had seen Nagle, Mar
zOnfs room mate, bring Marzoni's
breakfast.
Midshipman Albert c. Bryant, testi-
fed that he had carried milk to- Mar
Zoni on several occasions Marzoni
came to his room and Iuado him stand
on his head he said.
Bryant was cross examined by Mar
zOni's counsel to show that the bring
ing of food from the breakfast table
was a courtesy and not humiliation.
Bryant said southern midshipmen
usually performed courtesies for each
other and declared that he was not
haraSsed or annoyed in any way by
bringing the food. Fe said he under
SlO'ti II 10 bt tl request iNJIItI lNldu .lD
order.
bryant also said that Uarzoni had
helped him with his Spanish voluntar-
iIy He sat at Marzoni's table and was
treated we'll in every respect.
NIdshipman Marzonl was called ia
tie stand by his counsel. He absolute
Iy denied that he had hazed Roberts or
ever knew him. He said that Tye had
brought him food by request. He had
thanked him for so doing and Tye did
not appear to make any objection to
this. He only knew Of two occasions
when Tye had brought him food.
Bryant had also brought him food and
a glass of milk. 1t had been done up-
Ter the circumstances as in Tye's case.
Marzoni then absolutely denied that
he had compelled Bryant to stand on
his head as alleged in the srecifica"
tons. He said that he had never stood
a fourth classTnan on his head and did,