New-York tribune., 1874-05-30
WEST POINT.
FIFE ANNJrAL EXAMINATIONS.

sIxTY-rIvE CANDIDATES ADMIrrED-THE GRAD


sIxTY-rIvE CANDIDATES ApMITrED-THE GRADUA-
TING CLAss-THE BOARD OF VISITORS
WEST PoINT, May 29.-Annually, with the
advent OF Summer, OF the most trying periods
in the lives OF the wouldbe commandants In the mill
tar ce OF the United stateSihe yearly examination
a, wess Pont-onged for and yet dreaded, when cadets
ter years of study strive to prove their right to
become regular officers, and ambitious boys from civil
life for the places made vacant. The examination
Of most interest of course to the public is that
OF the first class Of cadets, but just at
this time. before that begins, the hopes and
fears chiefly center upon the performances OF the
"plebes." the candidates for military education
Meanwhile preparations making for the greater
event. The cadets studying with all their might
brightenDC their wits where they have become rusty,
and hhGg all the chnks in their stores OF know
edge with miscellaneous stock for in unexpected
emergencies during the two weeks OF questioning. This
refers certainly the graduating class for the other
three classes will be examined in much shorter time
Their relatives present themselves in full force with
many Of the younger friends OF the other SEX and this
adding the fulfill the hopes of others to the
ambition for acts an incentive to spur
them through their labOrs
The new applicants began gather here from their
respective States week ago, and as last as
they arrived were Quartered in wing OF
the barracks, ali by themselves, and carefully
watched by the cadet officers appointed 10
look after them. They had until last Monday to report
Themselves by that time 80 out OF the ia who were
nominated were here. on that day their examinations
began and continued for three days First they were
subjected to rigorous physical examination by
the two post medical officers DIR. b. j. D. Irwin, surgeon
T. s. A. and DIR. A. Gerard, assistant surgeon, with
DIR. Otis of Washington Any who passed through the
examinations TO which recruits subjected dur
ing the will appreciate what this when told
that it d0ubly severe comprising the secrets OF
lungs hearts limbs and eyes In spite of this only two
failed Then the boys were tested mentally.
They were divided into seven sections. nearly is
in each section, led hall of inqusitoD,
section after another In geography, history grammar
punctuation and spelling, printed slips. containing
sometimes startling questions, were provided to which
had TO DE appended. What these questions
were is generally known outside, and beyond
the examiners knew much OF the answers. To an ln-
curry about these answers reply was given by an
instructor but quiet laugh led 10 the inference that
some of them were somewhat absurd. Iu arithmetic,
the problems had 10 be worked out before the
professors Reading aloud and copy writing
flushed the examination. 1t is in this mental
scrutiny that most OF the candidates fail, and
the number who do not pass anything but hatterlng
30 the average education of American youths as those
who come pres uDably have had some teaching In
The studies required. 1t is often found that failures
occur regard things which had been passed over as
unmportaut Not until to-day the list OF success
ful candidates made public The whole class was drawn
up in line The names OF those who missed were called
out they stepped PAGES to the 'front.' and were
ordered Break ranks and go home, while their more
fortunate companions led TO their future quarters
Since then Mr. Wlett the telegraph OPERATOR has been
besieged with young men sending home the news OF
their fate or the ia nominated 90 presented them
Selves of these two found physically incompetent;
OF the remaining 81 nearly one-third S2 were found
wanting their studes this leaves 65 the number OF
the new They will form the new fourth class
eter the graduation OF the present first class and the
consequent promotion Of the others Those who have
failed will, at the option Of the Senators or Represen
who nominated them have the privilege OF pre-
senting themselves for determination in September,
when the Autumn studies begin, with those who are
appointed to ll the vacancies which may then exist
1t understood that all the colored candidates who
presented themselves ths year, four in number failed
one young gentleman, Charles Mcclure Of Illinois.
passed his examination but he was nominated under
mistake there being in his district be will
have to wait until next when lie will be admitted
without examination The following a list of the new
class: