The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-11
WEST POINT AND ANNAPOLIS.


IT is tolerably certain from recent develop
ments that the internal arrangements of the
Military Academy at West Point need more
particular investigation than they receive
from the annual Board of Visitors, and if the
details of the management of the Naval
School at Annapolis could also be looked into
by some impartial persons, no harm would be
done, and great deal of good to both insti-
tutions might ensue. The efficiency of the
army and the navy in the future largely de-
pends upon the proper management of these
schools, which are heavy burdens upon the
taxpayers of the country, and the public
have q right to demand that they shall be
conducted in such manner that the best in
terests of the nation will be sub
served by them. Two occur
rences have taken place lately which
show very plainly that there is something
very rotten in the management of West
Point. The case of the oolored cadet Smith
is proof that there is lack of that high
toned and honorable spirit that certainly
ought to be one of the leading characteristics
of such an institution if it is to properly
fulfil the ends of its foundation. The ap-
pointment of this young man, as we have
said more than once, was great mistake
but now that he is a cadet, he is entitled to
decent treatment He has Just the same
rights at West Point as the white cadets,
neither more nor less; and if the proper gen.
tlemanly spirit prevailed among his COM
panions, he would at least be allowed to
prosecute his studies without insult or arro-
canoe. If the young gentlemen with white
skins refused TO associate with him when off
duty on terms of friendly intimacy and
equality, their conduct might be censurable,
but Smith and his friends would
have no proper grounds for
complaint but when there appears to
be systematic attempt to drive him away
from the school, the friends of right and
justice everywhere, whether they approve of
his appointment or not, should insist upon
his having fair play. Smith is now under
going his second court-martial, upon charges
which are oontemptibly unimportant, and it
is evident that this is but the elimination of
one of many attempts to drive him from the
institution. If the officers composing the
court before which Smith is being tried
should countenance the malice of the other
cadets, and expel him from the school, they
will disgrace themselves forever in the eyes
of all honorable men. 1855
The other West Point affair that is now at
tracting attention is the disappearance of
three of the cadets. 1t is asserted that these
young men were driven from the school at
the order of the members of the senior class,
their offense being the heinous one of lying
1t seems that they contriyed to get intoxi-
Gated, and made such statements to the
officers as led them to suppose that they were
in their beds at time when they were outside
of the building upon frolic. This violation
of a very proper code of honor incensed the
members Of the senior class who, however,
instead of pursuing the proper course and
making a report of the matter to the autho-
rites, took the law into their own
hands and passed decree of expul-