The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-06-01
WEST POINT.
The influence OF the Son Of Ulysses
the First-Runnins the ACADEMY
ma n Family Institution.

The Influence OIL the SON Oi SbysscS
the ,Eirst-Running the Academy
m. aFamiIy Institution.
General Slocum, a distinguished officer
Of the army during the war, a graduate
Of West Point, but now a Democratic
member of Congress from Brooklyn,
was a member of the West Point Invest
igaling Committee at the last session.
He declared as the result of his investi-
cations that, bad as it would be for the
discipline of the school, he would pre-
fer che presence of dozen negro cadets
to that OF the Presidents son, who was
really a secret power in the control OF
the institution, through his private aP
peals to his father. A correspondent
writing from West Point last week,
tells this story in confirmation.
THE cadets are semi annually sub
iected to a rigid examination, embrac-
ing .the studies undergone during the
preyions six months, and woe be unto
the roor fellow whose calculus and To-
garithms are any way mixed. During
theperiod elapsing between these exam
nations, il any OF the cadets should
have.been so unfortunate aSto receive one
hundred dement's, they are very quietly
granted an indefinite leave Of absence,
and stricken from the rolls. Cadet
Bassett, of third class Of 1870. had re.
ceived one hundred and fourteen. Cadet
Grant one hundred and sixteen.
Young Bassett was Immediately trans
ferred to the bosom OF his anxious
friends in Toledo, Ohio, while the extra
sixteen dement's Of young Grant were
wiped out, and that young gentleman
was retained as member of the second
class. As soon as young Bassett had
reached home and stated his case to his
father, that gentleman Immediately
called upon his Congressman, and re-
quested his influence in obtaining the
return OF his son to the Academy. The
Congressman visited the White House
and stated 10 the President that he de-
sired the return Of exCadet Bassett to
the Military Academy, stating at the
same time the cause of his removal,
and vet not referring to the Partially
extended to Cadet Grant. Ulysses !.
imagined that he saw an opportunity
for expressing his virtuous Indignation
at such proposal, and in very decided
manner informed the honorable mem
Der that he also had a son at the
Academy, and that if his boy received
over and above the number dement's
allowed him according to the rules and
regulations OF the Academy, he would
be compelled, although much against
his will, to withdraw his son in like
manner Alas, for poor Ulysses! he
was not aware at that time that his
scion had not only received over anC
above the number of dement's required
for dismissal, but that he had also been
so unfortunate as to overreach his eX
PEELED companioE-n-arms. Young Bas
sett, on being informed Of the, Presl
dents decision in the matter, wrote q
letter to Cadet Grant, detailing the enter
view between the honorable member
and the President; and let it be said to
Cadet Grants honor that he, immediate
ly on receipt of Bassetts letter, sal
down and wrote out his resignation
stating that he was unwilling to remain
in the Academy and graduate under any
such circumstances. at the same time
requesting BasSets reappointment. The
President, finding that he had let the
cat out OF the bag, and fearing to com
nit himself a second time, hushed the
matter up instanter.