The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-28
WEST POINT.
The Approaching Examination
at the Academy.
THE GAY SEASON AT HAND.
The Graduating Glass and It's
Past Record.
WEsr POINT, May q, 1874.

ff4 WEST POINT May 81 1874
II that wonderful regulator OF the rain storm and
the sunshine profanely known "Old Probabtli-
ties" had graduated at West Point when the tenn
pest and the Calm were the exclusive property OF
the truthful almanac, it's highly probable that the
weather during the past lew weeks would have
been arranged to suit the wishes OF the gray
coated gentlemen hereabouts in whose minds the
month OF June and the fortnight preceding it are
ever associated with bright skies and girsh faces
wreathed In smiles Be that as 1t may, 1t must be
said that the rains and the chilly winds which have
prevailed during the past ten days with only now
and then daily intermission. have had much, II
not all, to do with the backwardness of the season
at this resort. In the days when Lee was a loyal
colonel ruling the roast here, and 1t was consid-
cred the correct thing for the Southern arist0crat
to come to the point" for q few days at least,
before going to more distant resorts, the hotels
at this time Of the year were generally well filed;
but the war, which changed SO many things, left
lis impress upon West Point In many ways, and
the great CROWDS that once were early in their
coming, come not at all nowadays. Still. be-
lieve that the weather this year has had more to
do with the present general dulness than any,
thing else, and as but few persons here, except
the over anxious cadets, expect thrOng before
THE EXAMINATION OF THE GRADUATING CLASS
has begun in downright earnest, even the cadets
can hold their souls in patience few days longer
when there certainly win be rush for
PLACE, POSITION AND COMFORT AT THE HOTELS.
l may remark just here that the accommoda-
tions for visitors TO the Point excellent far
as they co. The hotel on the post, wnere the
Board OF Visitors will have their quarters, and
where the high and mighty men from Washington,
who Will give the academy call before the gradu-
ates make their nnal bow, will be done for In
rau nj CORR Of uvov 20 IN ,tn rdor
The other hotel two miles below here, will be
opened on Thursday next and what the one can
not accommodate OF the crowds that are expected
In week or TWO the other will take good
care Of Heretofore, as now, the matter
OF hotel accommodation on the post
proper has been subject of much gngery
speculation and talk with the powers that be &C
the national capital and 1t only last year that
everybody there who had right to have . say IN
the matter came to the conclusion that 1t was
right and proper that the hotel the post (which
Is government property should be enlarged. But,
then, after the conclusion had been arrived at,
nothing further was done In the natter and this
season. IN the past, by reason OF The Washington
dillydallying about the necessary appropriations,
hundreds during examination week will doubtless
even cot to sleep on; at least II they md cot
they may find 1t hard work to secure room to
put 1t in. Now, . word about re5.ef ST.
THE GRADUATING GLASS;
This class, find, is but another annual tlustra.
ton OF the severity OF tho West Point course Of
studies. In 1870 the candidates for admission to
the Academy were la4, and finally. when the first
examination was at an end. and when the fourth
class OF 1870 tine present graduating class was q
thing OF iact It numbered Just sixty-hve. In the
battle Tor admission seventy-nne aspiring young
gentlemen were found to know great deal less
than West Point expected OF them and had, there
fore, to 60 back to their mammas with tears In
their eyes, sadder. II not wiser. than when they
lett the paternal roof with visions OF major gen.
erals epaule tn and the command OF an entire army
inviting them on to glory and renown. The class
now. numbers f0rty-twO, including one member
who was unfortunate enough. though he stood third
In the order OF general merit as second class man
last June, to get suspended, and VINO Will have to
take a place with the present second class when
he returns. " wiz be seen, therefore, that the
class since 1870 has lost twenty-three members--a
result which proves not by any means that the
twenty three were numskulls but that an exam.
ination even OF an undergraduate class at West
Point Is not college farce which, by q few weeks
OF persistent examining OF the students Is made to
appear to the gulll0e as q sure evidence OF hard
study and wonderful proficiency The class, it
may be SAID, Judging from all have been able to
learn OF Its history during the past four years, win
stand high in the order or general merit when the
examination Is held append The names OF the
members OF the class in the ord er OF merit they
obtained last June as second class men:-