The New York herald., 1868-06-12
WEST POINT.

Close of The minatiou-Preparati0ns for
the H0meward March-The TransfOrmntion
from Gray to Blue Next Tuesday-Who
Enter West Point-Interestins Statistics.
WEST POINT, June II, 1888.
The examination OF the graduating class was CON-
pleted this afternoon the subject Of to-days cate
chising being "cavary tactics;' and the Board OF
Examiners are now busily engaged in preparing the
standing or order OF merit OF each member. The
announcement OF this standing 1t is needless to say,
is looked forward to with no small interest by the
first class men and particularly by those who have,
by their natural abilities and studious dispositions,
led or been numbered in, all the first
sections Of the various branches OF learning In
which they have been instructed during the past
year. In communication sent to Major Thayer,
superintendent Of the Academy in 1885, by John G.
Calhoun, who was then Secretary OF War, and who,
be it known, was very staunch friend and admirer
of the West Point Military School, while asserting
'that in future wars the nation must look to the
Academy for the skill TO conduct valor TO victory"
the great nulliiier ordered that the superintendent
should '.report to the War Department annually
the names OF those cadets who have most dis
tnguished themselves In the examination,
not exceeding five in each class, sDecI-
flying the studies in which they may excel"
Ever since this regulation was established 1t has
been faithfully adhered TO by every superintendent
Of the Academy. IL fact 1t Is now regarded as bnd-
ing as law. The registering In the records OF the
War Department Of the "ve distinguished' of every
class had Of course for its special object to inspre
attention to study and create emulOus exerton" in
the entire corps; but as it became to be con-
sidered more and more <iark Of particular dstinc-
ton for the first Glass; the exertons Of the leading
members of every graduating class for years past to
be included In the honorable limits have been
always very great Moreover, from this regulation
has sprung the custom OF the recommendation by
the Academic Board that the 'stars" should be
made engineer officers, and as matter OF
course those who are desirous OF becoming
engineers know by their standing just what
their chances are to become such. Last June
the frst eleven members Of the graduating
class were made engineers, leaving but three
vacancies In the corps to be filed. Who the three
lucky ones to fiji these vacancies will be this year
depends upon who the first three OF the class Will be
Tuesday AFTERNOON The contest for places above the
class has been very close as many as ten Of the lead
Ing members being 80 thorough in all their studies
that even now no person not & mem member % @ OF tne
will be the leader OF all.
Many OF the first claSsmen are now buSlly engaged
in packing up their trunks in anticipation OF their
final farewell to the old Post, to which, notwith.
confnements they have through four long years
become deeply attached. "Halleck's International
LaW'' ana "Manan'S Military engineering" III Dauy
broken covers, are flung in many nook and corner
in nearly every room: and as for =" French's
Practical Ethics," they are nowhere to be
seen. Boxes, books and papers lay strewed
about the floor, and gray jackets and white
pants stuffed In holes and inches as mementOes
OF the past and strong reminders to coming sue
cessOrs that where there's will there's way to get
rid of "old clos" There's smile on every face and
lghtness in every step that tell you at once, on
peeping into the room that moving day is indeed at
hand for somebody, and were it not thing tabooed
by military order you'd certainly be asked In to
"smile with all the class were you stranger or were
you not. And yet four long days must pass away
ere their cadet life is ended. Oh how slowly will
the hours pass by and how studiously will they be
counted until the drums beat and they hurry away
to the last parade andNthen how many will sing,
not without trembling voice, many q voice now
hushed in death hath sung before on graduating
day
To kind old Alma Mater. bound Highland home
Wen cast back fond DER lfe's
Until battle field the lights of Heaven shall glow
Wen never fall 10 drink to her and Benny Havens OIL
is WEST POINT NOT OPEN TO THE POORP
As there are many persons who believe that the
Military Academy has always been an arstocratic in
sttution, wherein no poor mans son could enter
with any more facility than camel could pass
through the head of needle, the following table,
made up from the records OF the adjutant may be OF
interest well as instructive. The table comprises
period OF twenty-five years, from 1912 to 1868, In
cusive:-
Fathers Of cadets who are were farmers or