The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-02-08
ROOSEVELT ASKS
NEW LAW ON HAz|NG
Present Statute Is Declared to
Be Bad for the Naval
Service.
COURT MARTIAL TRIAL
If APPROVED IS FINAL
Even the President or Secretary
May BE Baked by Academy
Superintendent.

! WASHINGTON Feb. THE President
today made public a letter urging upon
Congress a modification of the law against
hazlng at the Naval academy. Unless
Congress shall promptly amend the cx-
isting law against hnzing, which makes
mandatory the dismissal OF any midship-
man found guilty OF any form OF hazlng
the Secretary of the Navy may be forced
TO dismiss thirty-thrce mdshlpmen from
the Naval academy within the next
month, In addition to the eight who have
already suffered this penalty and three
whose are awaiting the action of
the department. Secretary Bonaparte
after urging upon individual members OF
Congress the necessity for immediate leg
lslation, laid the whole matter before the
President
Law Is Bad for Service.
1t Is admitted at the Navy department
that II the present law Is allowed 10 stand
the service Will suffer severely The In
yestlgaton board OF officers appointed by
the Superintendent OF the Naval academy
TO obtain evidence against all midShpmen
guilty OF any form OF hazing has already
brought 10 light evidence resulting I'm the
trial OF twenty five midshipmen. OF whom
two have been acquitted. eight d!smussed
one pardoned while under sentence OF dis
misSal and anothcr-Midshprnnn Minor
Meriwether, Jr., whose case is now await
Ing action by the departmcnt-has been
found guilty and recommended for par
don.
Court Martial Is Likely.
The Investigating board has left the su-
pcrintcndcnt OF the academy evidence
against thlrty-nvc other mldshipmen who
probably Will be ordered court martinled
The law Will necesslJatc the dismissal of
each midshipman found guilty. Included
In the last are mldshipmen whose records
are otherwise above reproach, among
them members of the first class who will
graduate next week and a number re-
lated to prominent members OF Congress.
The Presidents Letter.
The letter OF the President follows:
Il have directed that a pardon be is
sued to John Paul Miller a mdshipman
at tho United States Naval academy
Gently convicted OF 'hazing and sentenced
10 dismissal from tho academy
In tho discussion of this case my at
tention has been called forcibly to the
unsatisfactory condition of the law
this subject, A mldshipman accused OF
hazing. whether tho extent of his Of
fcnse be great or small must be tried by
court-mertial The findings OF such court
II approved by the superintendent OF the
academy, are declared final and cannot be
revised by the Secretary OF tie Navy or
even by me. and neither to the court IT.
SELF nor the superintendent, nor the Sec
retary OF the Navy. has any discretion as
TO the punishment to be imposed
Law Is Not Just.
1T is declared that In all cases of con-
viction the offender shall be dismissed
and be ineligible for appointment az a
commissioned officer of the army, navy or
marine corps, during a specified time
These provisions of law seem to me neith-
er just nor Judiciors and | am seriously
concerned at the injury which | fear may
be done TO tho discipline of the academy
and even to the future efficiency Of the
navy II they are permitted TO remain In
force without amendment
Disapproves Of Hazing.
Il heartily disapproye OF the practice of
hazln8, and In common with all those In
tcrested In the welfare OF the academy
wish to see this practice thoroughly Grad
icated there. But the punishment OF dis
missal is altogether dlsproportionate to
the culpobihty involved in some forms OF
hazlnB
The President says further that In his
opinion IL lis an error to try midshipmcn
accused of hazing by court-martial There
should, he says, be discretionary powers
lodged in some administrative officer or
board to deal summarily with such Of
fenses,
In conclusion the President SAYS he
would see With much regret the present
session OF Congress end without some
remedy being found for a situa ton fun OF
for the Navy department
and of danger for the best interest Of the
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