The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1871-08-09
THE CADETSHIP EXAMINATION.
COMMUNICATION FROM WIN. r. sMYTu--
HOW 7 4 i. THING WAS DONE.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM WIN. T.. sMYTH--
HOW 7 THING WAS DONE.
TO the Editor of The Cairo Bulletin;
DEARSTR Since the final decision OF
the committee has been rendered. justice
demands from me n public statement of
the radical facts connected with tho recent
examination held at Shawneetown. Some
three weeks ago there appeared in the
Cairo Star notice, as an extract from the
Gallatin Gazette. This notice, supposed
to have come from Col. Crebs, called for an
examination to be held at Shawneetown
on the I'd Of August. Therein was stated
that, as the object Of the examination would
be to determine upon some young man
whose "merit and character would rem
der him a fit representative of this dis
trict at the United States military acade-
my at West Point, It would DO open to all
the young men Of the Thirteenth congress
sional district.
Now, Mr.. Editor, tho principal state
ment contained in this notice, and tho
very one that now recoils upon itself, Is
that "the committee would DO guided in
their decision by the strictest impartiali-
ty," and that physical development and
"intellcctual advancement combined with
a good moral character, would alone sue
coed in obtaining this appointment"
1t is your duty then, Mr. Editor, to see,
judging from the facts contained in the So
qucl, If this committee adhered 10 the
above declaration. Upon this supposition
l went to Shawneetown, and hay
ing arrived the morning pre-
vious to the examination /
found that considerable influence
was being brought to bear upon some Nom.
bers of the committee, and that very deep
interest was manifested by the friends of
the respective applicants. I laughed at
their simplicity, supposing that justice
and merit would absorb oil personal con-
That evening underwent
the physical process of sounding, contract
ing, expanding, &c. The doctor pro-
nounced mo physically perfect" The
following morning l, in common with
seven other applicants, presented myself
before the board Of examiners for the in
tellectual test. ..af
The "examine" was n written one.
wrote without intermission from 0 am.
until 2 pm. at which time handed in
my manuscripts. Now, judging from the
concessions made by the committee since
my departure from Shawneetown, l
passed rs good, If not better examina-
ton, than Sanford II. Cochranc, in whose
favor they have already rendered their
decision. In conversation with Mr..
Cochrane he acknowledged my "intel-
lectual superiority" but he contendcd that
was physically inferior" to him. Bear
witness to this you who we're present
Now, if Mr.. Cochrane's roughness of
physique will counteract intellectual
superiority" and physical perfection,
will yield in this matter and congratu-
late Mr.. Cochrane on his superb qualif-
cation. But if not / call for an impartial
decision. l possessed the qualifications
set forth in the "no,icc." What then
was necessary
now demand public examination Of
my manuscripts. If you deny me this
you will put me TO the necessity of chal-
longing s. ii. Cochrane to public exam
ination in any Of those branches that con-
stitute u plain or scientific course" This
l will do unless you acknowledge in pub
lie what you have done in private.
Lot me here state that entertain no
II feeling whatever against my opponent.
Charity suggests the contrary.
If won the appointment justly ami he
sccived it at the hands OF q partial COM
nlttee, no blame should DO attached to
i'm for accepting it. He has indefatiga-
'ly labored during the past two years in
rider to obtain this, and perhaps am not
untitled to 1t since l didn't study for
t. Hence, the decision OF the committee,
the tenor Of the notice,
10 frequently referred to in this commune
cation. Unless the committee come for
ward and enlighten the public upon this
. scheme the citizens of Cairo and South
ern Illinois will have strange idea " of
Justice in Shawneetown. ! demand
statement. If you deny mo this, your own
silence will be your condemnation.
Sincerely thanking you, Mr.. Editor, for
your very kind indulgence, remain,
Yours, Very Respectfully,
WILLIAM p. SMYTH.
Cairo, His, August 8, 1871.