Delaware journal., 1828-03-14
From tie .Nes9 York .4merieaa.
WEST POINT ACADEMY.

deserving OF atention as showing most conclusive
ly, that the charge ot iayorsm ia the selection and
appointment OF cadets from particular portions OF
the country is unounded.
Ii deserves attention, too, IN another point OF
view, as showing OH the part of Mr. Calhoun, the
predecessor of Mr.. Barbour, IN the War Depart
snen as most uniustiiiabethe hagrancy of the case
would almost excuse the term corrupt--exercise OF
power in orestang, in part, tor three years alter
lie ceased to be Secretary OF War, the nomnalion
vf cadets. 1t will be seen that tor the ilrs ear OF
Mr.. Adams administration, (ot which MIR. Z. is not
a member) he appointed l45 cadets for the Sec
und, 81 ; and for the third, /.
L. 5. House. OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The Speaker laid before the house the Il flowing
letter, which was read and laid on the table, viz:
DspARqs.. NJ or WAR, Feb 23th 1927.
Sir: In obedience to a resolution of the House OF |
Representatives., the 9Th inst. directing tie Sec
retary OF w ar 10 furnish list OF the cadets noW
at est Point their names, the states aud coInsies
or Congressional Districts from which they were
set and the dates when they were received and ai-
pointed also, statement showing the loruer anu
present rule OF the Department, as practsed rela-
i've to the manner, of filling up vacancies; have
the honor Of submittin. the accompanying statement
marked A.
In explanation OF this document, it is proper to re-
mark that from the date of admission OF many Of
the Cadets it might be inferred that they had been
appointed by me- The fact, however, is, that my
predecessor appointed l23 for 1925, "a Tor 1926,
and for 1927, as will appear by the accompanying
list marked B. From courtesy to him, and defer
ence to the persons appointed, and their friends,
obore to interfere, and the appointees were all per-
fned to enter the Academy, as though they had
been regularly appointed.
When. finally ii became my duty to act, determn-
cd with the appreciation Of the President, to whom
the power OF appointing belongs, % distribute the
appointments equally throughout the United States,
in the country as well as the populous cnles-the
latter having heretofore an undue share.
The representation in both Houses Of Congress
having been already established as the rule tor dis
ribuon among the states, determined to appoint
a Cadet from every Congressional District and two
from each State, without regard to the local posi-.
ton of the latter in the state. Time, however, was
necessary to carry this determination INTO effect as
those who had been appointed were to retain their
situations for four years.
1t is believed that every district in the Union has
or will have in June next, a Cadet, if warrant is
applied for.
1t SO happens that the number Of Cadets author
lied by law corresponds nearly with the total mum
ber of the two houses but as the experience Of ma
ny years has shown that considerable number o
those appointed, from some cause either lnaIntude o
irregular conduct are dismissed, it has been toun
necessary to keep up the establishment to the nun,
Der prescribed by law, 10 make some appointment
in anticipation to meet those casualties. These ar
reserved tor extraordinary cases, and are made pro
nscuously throughout the union.
In making appointments, one OF the leading cen
sderations inducing preference is the claim OF tn
applicants on the ground OF public services rendei
ed by their ancestors. eagerly seize the oppol
tunity Of cancellins debt Of gratitude by the al
poinment OF the descendants OF those who hav
been distinguished by such services, clvst or mllatt
ry. And although poverty, the rest being equa
has decided preference, yet have not thought
Just or poltick TO cohtine appointments exclusiyc
TO the poor. The mere circumstance OF wealth.
not an insuperable bar to appointment.
The institution is supported mainly by contrb'
tions derived from the wealthy. 10 exclude you
otherwise meritorious, simply because he or \
friends wealthy. is therefore believed unjust.
is deemed polite that of the officers OF stan
ing army, IN republican government, should III
in their civil interests guarantee to their tdeli
and devotion to the civil authority and it IS app
hended that were appointments exclusively conf
ed to the poor, an impression might be produc
that it was an eleemosynary establishment, whose
feet is somewhat abasng. On the contrary, wht
the rich and the poor are ming Jed together feed
The same table, dressed in the same manner. and
all things made equal, we have practical lllust
tion of that equality which is the true basis of I
republican institutions, and whose effect cannot
be plupitious to their duration. In making sell
tons, have received and treated with great resp
the recommendations of members of Congress
well as respectable private citizens, and have end
you're to confer the appointments ON those Y
presented the best promise of justifying this mark
their country's confidence.
Presumng that the rule by which am govern
in selecting persons to supernend the annual
animation, frnm its intimate connexlon with the
formation called for would not be unacceptable
ask the favor Of the Houseto communicate that a
Heretofore the number of visitors had been SIN