Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-10-13
MOST IMPORTANT STAND
TAKEN BY M|DSHIPMEN
The Upper Class Put An End to
Hazing of Every Kind at the
Naval Academy.
ACTION is VOLUNTARY.
Custom Existed for 20 Years---A
Tradition As Old As Academy It.
self, But Contrary to An Act
of Congress

Of Congress
No more important stand has been
taken in the history of the Naval Acad-
envy than the decision of the three an
per classes to put an end to hazing Of
every kind at the institution. The snb-
fect has been discussed seriously by all
Of the midshipmen since the opening
tf the Naval Academy, and tie tfoueht
fil ones lave felt deeply hurt over the
fact that the institution and it's stu
/ dent BODY have been placed in an un-
I favorable tight bv the developments
/ through the recent court OF inquiry
and board of investigation
Consequently, they have come to the
conclusion that the time has arrived
when everything possible 70 maintain
the good name of the Naval Academy
/ should be done by them, and this line
+ Of reasoning pointed inevitably 10 the
/ abolition of hazing.
'Hazing is at an end at the Acad-
/ emv." wns the statement of promi
nent midshipman of the frst class No
definite resolution was passed but the
/ sentiment of the midshipmen can op-
/ pose tho stand taken by overwhelm-
ing majority Of his comrades without
incurring their di3pleasure. This, as
1 is known hy those in touch with Acad-
I emy conditions. is the controlling law
lt the institution
/ While recent events in connection
with the practice and the earnest adj
/ vice OF those who have direct charge OF
the midshipmen, undoubtedly contrib
I uted to the action which they have ta-
ken, ii must be understood that the
| impelling cause was that the midship-
men have themselves come to the con
clusion that thew have no right to con
| tirue a practice, which, though ap-
proved by the ira litions of the institu
/ zion, Is contrary to an Act Of Congress
and is strongly reprobated by the au-
shorities of tho service and the officers
who have charge Of the Academy.
/ II was stated by prominent mid3hip
men last night that there we're varie-
| ty OF reasons which led TO this action.
and that different midshipmen we're
most strongly influence by different
reasons, but that with practically
unanimity they had reached the con-
/ clusion that the time to end hazing at
the Academy had arrived Nothing in
The nature Of a threat has been COM
inunicated to the midsbipmen IN the
matter and it can be said in all sin
| cerity that 70 them belongs the credit
of an action which will receive the
| hearty approval Of the nation.
The midshiprcn rave felt leenly the
criticisms of their student body which
have been made public in connec-
ton with the court of inquiry, which
examined into practices connected with
recitations and examinations, and, la
ter, in connection with the board which
investigated hazing and recommended
| severe punishment for about twenty
five midshipmen. They were grieved
over the dismissal and other punish
ment of so many of their comrades, and
a contributing cause, at least to their
action was the fact they felt that they
| could not continue a system which
ieopardized the careers Of so many Of
their fellow students.
The midshipmea stated emphatically
that hazing was now actually at an end
at the Academy II they are correct.
| il means the death of system which
has placed tie Naval Academy in a
bad light before the people Of the Uni
ted States more than ANYTHING else has
ever done. and been responsible for the
failure Of the ambitious Of hundreds
Of young mon TO he realized.
Those not in touch with the Naval
4 n ,Ys44
aerstand the strong attachment whicr
nearly every midsiipBldn and many Of
the younger officers expressed for the
system. IL was true that class which
in its second year al the Academy. did
not do as much hazing as had been the
custom actually lost caste.and its mem
bers felt themselves under q cloud for
not having upheld the traditions Of the
institution in a worthy manner. Ap-
parently, the only way to wipe out the
| sting of the hazing they had received
themselves was TO haze the next class
with equal or greater severity.
| Moreover, it was held by most of
these nidshipmcn AID Young officers
that hazing was an important part in
the education Of the new midshipmen,
and that without Il lie became bump
tuoUs. Hazing, it was felt, vas the
very hing 10 introduce him into na-
1 Val career and teach him the lessons of
respect for saperiors and subordinates
that are the lifeblood Of the Navy. Tie
traditions Of the geryice, these Young
men felt. imposed upon the memebrs
Of the third class the duty of giving
this instruction u the members of the
nct fourth class.
The stand Of the midshipmen is de-
elared to be definite and direct Haz-
ing, as defined By the Act of Congress.
now IN force. is ended completely. Tn
der tie Act, approved April ., %. haz-
ing is defined as amy unauthorized
assumption Of authority by one mid
shipman over another midshipman,
whereby the aforementioned midship-
man shall or may suffer or be exposed
l4r Suffer and rrup1fv f1dip91ffv Fss