New-York tribune., 1869-06-11
VEST POINT.
BAD NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE UNDER
RADUATEs-ARRIYAL OF PRESIDENT GRANT

BAD NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE UNDER
GRADUATEs-ARRIYAL OF PRESIDENT GRANT
COMING EVENTS.
WEST POINT, June 10-A more disagreeable
day than this it would be almost impossible to imagine
IL has been raining by fits and starts since daybrea
and when 1t did not rain it threatened The air is very
cool and damp, and everybody shvers There is no fire
at the hotel except in the kitchen and the ladies' paror
and the discomfort Is almost unbearabe. Hardly living
soul could be upon the Plain during the day. except
whore the wretcbed waeroRged stagedTiyers crossed
1t their way to and from the boatandng Last night
the dodgers suffered sorey from the cold owing to the
scant supply Of bedclothng hand-for this is Sum
resort you know and one is not likely to look for
Winter weather in June even at West Point Mr.. Coz
zens warned by the unreasonable state Of the atmcs
phere last night and anticipating continuance which,
II not provided against, would empty the house. made
requstion on NewYork this morning for 80 dozen nne
wooden blankets, and tonight his guests Will sleep Ia
The examination OF the second class in philosophy,
resumed this morning, and that Of the third, IN
mathematics, was taken up at the same time.
SO far the results OF the examinations have been emil
nentv satisfactory Nothing well adapted prove
the efficacy OF system OF theoretical instruction as
catechetca test such as applied annually at the Mill
taTy Academy The examination In any given branch Is
not mere string OF sereoyped questions answered ia
the words OF the author OF the textbook II what u
should bea real OF the students knowledge OF the
subject drawn forth I'm many eases by sharp sudden,
swer can be iound in the textbook at all He must have
not only mastered his author and answered the require
routine work OF the class but must also have made the
subject his in all It's details by thinking 1t out In his
way. The consequence is that at the examination
you do not hear rambling recitation from school books
Each cadet is to all appearances his own book Ihe
destroyed his individuality and when he replies to an
nerrogaoT or answers .nd an 9 own OF @ sy
his and whether they be hating and obscure or nuent
and clear there a satisfaction in knowing that he is
using his own thunder, and IN feeling that the telre
which has been encouraged here VIII be OF no small
worth him I'm the future in his battles with the world
IL seems TO close observer that each professor has been
mbued with the thought that his special branch Is tho
allnportant one-that without thorough knowledge on
IL no cadet can ever occupy h hohoaOe position III to
army What naturally folOWsi Each subject Is most
earnestly and thoroughly taught, and under this system
In the examination In any branch OF twenty students OF
average caber 10 would he very dncut 10 decide as 10
marked superiority OF any ten, except in cases where
they showed natural inclination ana love Tor the study
The Signal Drill yesterday was very hne one. lJ was
the first witnessed by fun Board Of Visitors, and
great treat While Gen. Grant was secretary OF
War he suggested many changes IN the old system aud
am mistaken ordered lts introduction Into the cur
ricuum of West Point Gen. Myers Chief sf the Signal
Bureau, gives IL as his opinion tEat the system OF nag
signals I'm use at West Point Is hardly susceptible of
Improvement
C3nc an alarm created among the "1plebes" yes;
terdsy by wags OF the third class. who started aud
circulated the report that the Medical Board were reject
ing nearly all the arrivals on she score OF untnes
service. The hoax was soon exploded however by
Major Boynton the gOodnatured Aduant OF the Post,
and the embryo Cadets more possessed their souls
in peace. The truth is that but few Of the "plebes
have been examined by The Board and only one has thus
far been declared disqualified. There VIII be many more
the tailor TO take their .. measures.
The nOn-aTrya Of GC. Grant this morning was great
disappointment the cruwds OF people here but this
afternoon when the n Tie delay made known,
the ae fish feeling changed 10 OF pity for the sufferers
by the railroad accident and OF unaOyed gratitude that
the President and his travelling companions escaped un
hurt.
At ca this evening after everybody hod made up his
mind that the President would not come tonight he dd
come He came on the Mary Powell was received AZ the
landing by Gen Pitcher aud stan, aud at once drOyew
Mrs Grant aud two children ROe's Hotel His arrival
created STIR and he reached his room without being
subjected TO the annoyance Of shaking hands WIN
crowd Of people. The President Was accompanied by
Gen. Michler Inspector OF Public Buildings, Washing
ton, and Col Audenre.d, Of Gen. Shermans stan.
The General looks pale and seems worn out. A few
minutes after his arrival at the hotel young Pred came
over and the meeting between the President aud his sOn
attracted much attention. The President ehatted for
some time on the piazza with Gems. Pitchcr, Myers,
schrver officers aud then disappeared Tor hs
night SIR John harrington, ex Mayor of DuDn' arrived
here to-day. ,v. =, -. 90. o.,,,-
day evening June at COzZeuss Hotel The Board OF
Visitors at West Point the Academic stah ana ho rst
or Graduating Glass OF Cadets invited, and VIII be
present President Grant will also appear at the pan
durng the evening About $50 guests are now staying az
the hotel and 1t Is expected that about 21O persons WI"
participate in the entertainment to DO gwen tolnoIo"
svau