The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-30
WHY Gap T.LONGAN
WAS : SILENGED"
Calets' Side of Trouble at West
Point Is Made Pub
lie.
PETTY TYRANNY CHARGED
Long Series Of Grievances Leads
Up to Acts OF Insubordina- :.
ton.

Baltimore, Nd September 2o.-The
exact statement of the cadets sloe oi
the existing trouble at the west PolHt
Military Academy, as consequence OIL
which the entire corps is under re.
strictions, was give min confidentlal
letter from one of the cadets to
friend in this city Tonight:
",rhe cadets alleged that Captain
Longan started out at West Point by
saying: This here corps. has gone to
hi. I'll make 'em buck up
1.-THE trouble was cumulative. First,
on the target range, though 1t is by
order that the cadets, as ap rotectlon
from the conclusion of the guns, put
cotton in their ears, Captain Longan
accused them of stuffing their ears
with cotton so that they could not hear
his commands. The young men were
surprised. but said nothing.
Second. the cadets say that he
'cussed out one of the finest men in
the first class.
Third. whey Cadet Burt. first class
man, returned from his brothers fu-
neral. he himself having appendicitis
at the time, he went twice to Cap
tain Longans Office TO report. Each
time Captain Longan was absent at
the Officers Club. Accordingly. Cadet
Captain Bradley. of the corps, officer
spected Burt's baggage, took his money
and contraband, and sent him to the
hospital Next day Burt was oper-
ated upon, and was also reported three
times by Longan. Bradley told Cap
tain Lngan the circumstances, but the
captain would not believe him, and
started In on a TRADE against Burt.
Fourth. one of the cadets visited
across the hall in the barracks Cap
CT hos
1T was first class man, whereupon he
reported the wrong man. The first
classman explained in writing that
the report was mistake. Captain Lon
gan, calling him UP, said I don't be-
iieve what you say in your explana-
ton. You've got to Prove your state
ments.' One invioIabie rule OF West
Point is that when cadet gives his
word OF honor it is always taken
without question. No greater arrronr
can pc put upon a cadet than to
question his veracity
Final Grievance.
THE final grievance was when Cap
tain Longan made area birds walk
In the rain. Under this form of pun
ushment cadets have to walk with
their guns two hours on "Wednesday
afternoon and four hours on Saturday
afternoon. 1t is ne immemorial custom
that they can walk on the stoop of the
barracks when 1T rains. But Captain
Longan lined them out in the down
pour. he being under cover dry. and
smoking pipe, and said: You men
have got to walk in the rain, for I'll
show you who is boss around here
Moreover he refused to let the men oil
their guns and made the corporals
\ take the rags out of the bores, so that
the cadets had to clean rust for days
afterward.
THE first.'silence' was spontaneous
and fairly without the element OF pre-
meditated conspiracy. The men sim
ply refused to eat or to speak word
while Longan was in the room. 1t
was wrong. insubordinate. but human
1t was q tacit rebellion against what
the cadets felt to be tyranny. The
men do not regret their action. Their
attitude is that their code has beer
broken and their word questioned.
If every cadet is called before the
court of inquiry and asked If the above
statements are true, he will answer
affirmatively. though not a man OF
them has yet consented to say more to
the court than we have formed dis
like for this officer
The men resent Captain Longan's
explanation that he was new man
and that the cadets wanted to break
him in, and they feel that he has not
made correct statement but they
have great confidence in the Justice
and common sanse OF General Barry
the superintendent, who, they believe
will put different light upon the sit
snation within another week"