The Washington herald., 1908-07-26
CADETS DISMISSED
By THE PRESIDENT
Secretary Wright Finds He
Has No Part in 1t.
CONGRESS Only CAN RESTORE
Gen. oliver sent Records in the Case
10 Oyster Bay, and Mr. Roosevelt
Acted, the Secretary of War Being
In Tennessee-BeIieVed He Was
Disposed TO show Leaiency.

President ROOsevelt's summary dismissal
from the army Of the eight cadets who
are charged with hazing uEdsrclassmen
at the West Point Military Academy, has
disclosed an unusual situation IN the War
Department
Tae report OF the investigating board
was received at the department early last
week, while Secretary Of War Luke E.
Wright was in Tennessee, and Gen Rob
ert shaw Oliver. Assistant Secretary. was
acting as Secretary of War. Gen Oliver
sent the records in the case 10 oyster
Bay for the action Of President Roosevelt
Upon his return from Chattanooga, Secre-
tary Wright found the eight cadets wait
ing IN his Office 10 ask him 10 disapprove
the report recommending their dismissal
from the Academy Gen Wright seemed
favorably disposed toward Jhe cadets. and
promised 70 give the report careful con
siGerati0a- Upon inquiry. however. Sec
retary Wright found the report had been
forwarded 10 Oyster Bay before he az
rived
Wright Is out OF Ii.
Gen Wright, therefore, VIII be unable
10 review the case All he can do is TO
issue formal orders dismissing the cadets
from the service 50 far as the War De-
parluent IS concerned. the case IS closed
by the action Of the President The ca
dets can only be restored 70 the Academy
by an act Of Congress
The dismissal OF the cadets has brought
out several fine points Of military law.
which are being discussed in army cir
cles- Tie bazing law OF I9M. passed by
Congress as a result q the iuvesriga-
ton Of LaZlng az West Point provided
that cadets found guilty Of hazlng should
be sum=1arilv dismissed. The use Of the
words found guilty according 20 the
view Of experts on military law. indi-
Gated that Congress intended that Cisuis-
sails should follow conviction By court
martial
IN the present case. however. u court
martial was not c0nveaed 90 try the &C
cused cadets. An investigating board.
composed Of Capt. Morton F. Smith.
Senior instructor OF infantry tactics,
Capt Charles p. Summerau. senior in
st-ucto- Of artillery tactics, and Capt.
George 5 Simouds. OF the Tweuty-sec-
oud Infantry. who is now on duty at the
Military Academy. gathered al the evil
dence against the cadets. and unani-
ulously recommended their dismiss al.
This report was approved by Col. Hugh
L Scott. suPerintendent q the Military
Academy
Ample authority rests with the Presi-
dent 20 dismiss cadets from the Military
Academy Unlike commissioned officers.
the Senate does not confirm appointments
CT cadets 10 the Academy. and the Pres
dents power Of dismissal IS absolute
Similar TO Brownsville.
The dismissal OF these cadets IS similar
in many respects 10 the discharge without
homer OF the three companies OF the
Twenry-ffJh Infantry. colored. for al
Eeged participation IN the riots at Browns
vile. Tex. August 3. 1876 IN both cases
the dismissal was based upon the report
OF investigating officers. and not as a re-
suit OF a CONTINENTAL The cadets
however. unlike the c0I0red lnfantryruen,
I admitted they were guilty OF the Ofenses
charged by the investigating board
/ The cadets. who have been staying al
[ the Young Mems Christian Association
I IN G street. left town yesterday. The
I last 20 leave the city was James A Gil
/ lespie. who departed at about 4,50 O'Clock
Z in the afternoon