Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-08-29

THE +
provisions of the law stated that they
should be dismissed from the Mill
tary Academy
The Richmond. Va. Times-Dis-
patch I'm discussing the situation in
its issue OF August 2ith. 1905 says:
'It is not difficult TO imagine the
hesitation that must have preceded
the announcement by the Secretary
Of War chat the punishment OF the
eight West Point cadets found guilty
of hazing has been determined.
ellis recent disagreeable cxDer-
fence I'm connection with the subject
has undoubtedly made General
Wright cautions and careful Hay
ing mo- ambition 70 Doe advanced ira
Che Anuauias Club. DE viii not now
make statement concerning the
Presidents purpose or Che Presi-
dents action until that purpose oT
action has reached a stage of Cer-
tanC beyond denial or Republication.
There Fore tfe announcement tlat
STR Roosevelt has approved Che seu-
t.uCa uar ha taken rs absolutely
correct The punishment .s decide
ei. and FOR siX of the cadets is sus-
pension from the academy Tor one
year."
The Dispatch continues:
"This sentence rs not in accordance
with the REGULATIONS off che academy
or witch tNe Judgment OF the courf-
martial. or With the statute of Com
-ross applicable to The subject DO
Is directly opposed Go AN three"
This then is virtual accusation
chat President Roosevelt has violated
,he law that Dee is sworn to- support
How cam Dee Doe the great moralist
telling people their duties. u view
of this evident disregard oft "a solemn
obueauon2 Tie Is certainly not the
'Iori of the Sabbath Day" for Che
power primarily is invested in the
people.
The Dispatch continues:
Congress determined 81 possible
to break un the practice of hazing
and DO enacted statute fixing tho
punishment of expulsion ON the Ca-
dot cuiIty of hoziue
HE Congress and hy the authori-
ties OF West Point &C. was deemed
essential D. H1zir- was t0 Doe stopped
81 military discipline was to ba main
j.
ion must ho the punishment for the
oaouse.
Tho Timcs-Dispatch says further.
"Tlo President in committing tho
sentence to suspension for ono year
has taEeu ou himself tho role off ruiz
cr -ifted With divine attributes. who
distributes pardon or punishment.
not os prescribed hy Jaw. but as be
deems the oncnse venal or infam-
ous."
This then was the bass of our
charge against Mr.. Roosevelt in the
Brownsville affair. lie openly de-
clared that he would and did punish
colorcd men for oneuscs. of which
they had not been proven guilty.
This was in violation of the consti-
tutional right aud privileges OF ev-
cry citizen. regardless OF race or col
or, politics OF religion. Now he is
guilty of tho same offence. only he
exercises it in shielding the guilty.
while in the other case. he called il
into service for the purpose Of pun
ishing the innocent.
The Times-Dispatch continues:
Than Mr.. Roosevelt no one de-
nounces more the violators of law.
no one clamors more for the strict
enforcement OF the law against Of
tenders; yet no one is more ready
TO torego the execution OF the law
when the offender is personally ac-
ceptable 90 him or does not come
within his idea OF ara undesirable
citizen
CAS- so often before. the proceed
ure Of the President is not Justice
tempered with mercy. DO is the inn
partial execution or the law defect
cd by personal within and egotism."
This is the correct diagnosis OF the
case. "a most accurate summing up
OF she evidence against the distin-
occupant Of the White
House. To-day, his displeasure is a.
gainst a Neero; tomorrow. it may be
against white man. Tomorrow it
may be in favor of white man and
the next day. it may be in favor OF
d Negro. Oh, the kaleidoscope char
acter of the distinguished occupant
Of the White House!