The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-05
The Hot Weather and the Seasons
Prospects.
West Point as It WAS and a.
It Is.
CHANGES THAT OUGHT TO Be CHANGED.
More Discipline and Less Nonsense
Wanted.
WEST POINT, June 4. 1871.


had the effect of making the season liveer here
than It was ever known to be before at this period
OF the year. over two hundred persons from New
York city arrived by the boats on Saturday, the
larger portion OF whom arc "permanents," VINO
intend to make Cozzens' their abiding place during
the summer To-day the number or the arrivals
was considerably increased, and, Judging from pre-
sent indications, If the cry continues to BIO
"sTlLL THEY COME !"
the old July and August fashion OF packing
people away In Billiard rooms, with cool cots for
bedsteads will have to be brought into play very
soon IN downright earnest. The President Is to
arrive on Tuesday His presence here win doubt
less attract, as 1t always does hundreds or the gay
and FESTIVE from the country towns, who don't
often have the chance TO catch glimpse or real
live Chief Magistrate. Adj 10 all this that Mile.
Nilsson is to up Tomorrow to spend couple
or weeks at Cozzcns' and grant you the rural cup
OF bliss VIII be complete. Indeed, from present in
dcations, think the sweet songstress as a sensa-
ton will throw the President very much into the
shade. Arrangements have already been made TO
welcome her with q full band serenade tomorrow
evening, and doubt very much If his Excelency
will get the same kind OF favor.
TIE PRESIDENT,
believe, Intends to stay here about week, and I
have it from very good authority that he will
make his visit one of hard WORK well as OF plea
into an investigating committee OF one to
IND out Just what the Academy wants
to make IL what 1t used to be-a place where
discipline prevailed, ard where officers were taught
to know their tenure OF power was solely depen-
dent on the faithful way In which they exercised
their duties, and upon the number and influence
OF the friends they may have at court. General
Grant is an old West Pointer, and he cannot but
know that the Academy and Its management
or iotn bov fall
standard OF the days when he was ca
Diet ana mad to obey rules and rcgula-
tons which relaxed for no mans son. No VS.
itor who remembers what West Point was years
ago, and who takes the trouble to stay mere long
enough nowadays 10 make careful study OF the
way things done and the effect OF the influence
Of certain new ideas introduced as modern adJuncts
to discipline can fail TO be impressed with tue con-
trast. Progress has certainly been made In some
thinrs-thanks to the late war-and Will concede
that there mas been 10 falling Off III the subject mat
tiers OF study. but rather much advancement over
and above those OF twenty live years ago, aud Pro-
| lessor Koppe's testimony on this point Is concu-
| sve. But in many things which the practised mind
| OF thorough disciplinarian might have turned
| TO good account, West Point OF the pres
| ent day Il Tar behind West Point before
| the war. In the first place let us look at
the cadets. 1t used to be the custom to select the
| superintendent from the Engineer Corps, q body OF
officers who, whether they deserve IL or not have
the reputation o. being the most exacting dsciplI-
nalialIs IN the army. General Pitcher was made the
first exception TO the rue. HIS advent was hailed
| as the opening OF
| for the institution. Crooked notions were 10 be
| made straight ana old ogy ideas a. what cadets
| should do aud should not DO be brushed out
or existence; and, as for discipline, why that was
| to be so gorgeously iInged with CERTAIN freedom
OF that cadet 1t was predicted, would reach
| the end OF his fourth year with the regret in his
heart that he was not Just beginning his gray-coat
| career instead OF ending It, Now, TINS was indeed
| pleasant prospect. To certain degree 1t might
| ing was introduced as one OF the pastmes.
They seized upon it with avidity Several Godfrey
Deemayns were the result; but the sport took bet
| ter with many than more serious tnngs Yet it was
| allowed to continue. or late years The free use oil
tob acco among the cadets has been one or the most
/ signal beauties Of the administration OF the place
since the war. The time was when the use Of 1t
certain expulsion for the user. In old fogy days a
cadet had to take fearful risks in order get or the
| post and enjoy soclable glass with comrade, and
! now II he does happen to be on pledge he can
get Short leave ana get his I'LL. In faci, the fur
Tough business has become
So long n cadet has influential friends he has
little trouble 10 get away Gay or two whenever he
goes home to see his FOLKS average twice
| month. But probably the greatest change for the
on Of Ina ae mas years &' g the a. aeness
department OF the cadets. They no doubt
and viii make as good soldiers as nelr predecessors
in the corps dd years ago but viii tney MAKE as nc
do believe that the fault win lie win onIy those
boys VINO were sent here from tho lowliest walks or
lie. Ia oden time the dilerence OF previous caste
| never made difference with the manners of the
cadet after he had been made q cadet few months.
me fault Of all this, IN y OPINION can be Traced TO
| the men with cpauiets, 10 whom the cadets have to
| pay most humble obeisance rs srperors. They are,
| as general rue, aTistocrats Ia iceilng although
| OF laboring men. 1t makes no odds II they do get
paid salary chat good dry goods clerk on Broad
""' An Excus T. FOR STARVATION;
| they hold up their heads pompously and look down
W
princes rolling IN wealth, and as though the civilians
belonged To an inferior race OF beings Captain Jinks
| Is imaginary being the post, and the
| lieutenant with empty bars on his shoulders
and NOT an unmortgaged dollar IN MS pocket struts
about like peacock, his hat as far down the
side Of his head az the law OF gravaton will per.
init, and because he IS followed about by the eyes
a lot OF silly girls, considers himself born 10
the worlu'S obedience ana The cringng OF the knee
OF every mortal VINO is rot gded and buttoned by
the government NJ the EXPENSE OF the people. The
cadets have TO bow and scrape before these rldcu-
ous srutters, ana they nave naturally got into the
habit OF doing what their superiors do. Where once
were s1ayity OF manner ana courtesy or address
there are found now In most cases swagger and
Sixth ward baly boy style that COMFORTS but lily
with what considered the beau ideal OF tho
West Point cadet. The consequences Is that very
begin IN year or TWO TO put on the most unoeara.
sELY-AssuMED ARrsrocpAcY.
and poor mothers or poor sisters who come TO see
them, aud VINO are unable 10 dress flshionables
brothers ashamed OF them and would rather
they renamed at home. The most deporable Illus
o. ms ulter hollow
feeling, this hatred OF his former associates. which
ILLS the heart of the cadet who comes from poor
but Tor all that respectable family could be gwen
had l the time: but that the feeling exists one
here VINO has eyes to ana ears To hear can deny
IL - true that the entire corps not included IN the
cnarge, but the example OF the many who follow In
the footsteps OF their sureTiors IN ts respect ~ so
glaring That whatever OF real worth Is left Is COM
plctey
THROWN THE DARK
Now what is the remedy this failing and for all
the other fai,lngs OF West Point Of the present day
Is 1t bring back the OLD state 81 disciplnes
and above all 10 teach the ocers OF the institution
that they are not so far removed above the level NJ
the ordinary world that they cannot afford TO look
INFO their own lItteress once whiley IL Gene
raj Grant makes them understand that they are the
servants OF the people and not small autocracy in-
dependent OF them aud compels them to act accord.