New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-05
VRST POINT TRIALS.
pubic hygien

now THE EXAMINATIONS ARE CONDUCTED-STGE
BATTERY PRACTICE.
WEST POINT, June 4.-The examination to-
day has been very ordinary character having been
devoted TO the secondcass ana lower sections of that
class The subject also, that does not generally
evoke warke ideas the minds of listeners for soldiers
generally conne their operations TO matters of more
terrestrial nature than planetary orbits This exam
nation in astronomy and natural philosophy.
finished this afternoon, ana the victims of the pro-
fessors have retired 10 their quarters 70 reflect
upon the probable failure OF their answers
and solutions and 10 make room for the graduating
class who Will tomorrow be required to exhibit
the fruits OF the geological ana METEOROLOGICAL
studies The examinations are always held in what Is
known as the Library handsome stone building at the
lower end Of the plain shaded by an avenue OF trees
with the chapel at side and the superintendent
office AZ the rear The grassy around il kept
in perfect order velvet the strict military dis
cipne Of the Academy being exerted even TO prevent
one blade OF grass from growing longer than another
On the shady front OF this building the diplomas
Al q usually given the graduates. The Library room
nrop.r 10 the one in which the nqusition is held. and
rms occupies the right north end OF the
building. This looks like the recepton-room OF
AN old castle, with its high carved ceiling, pointed
arched windows galleries and paintings, aud general
ar nj gravity rendered somewhat impressive by the
subdued light that struggles in between the leaves OF
the trees Cases OF books line the walls all sides and
"a
side into the middle of the forming sort OF al
cove AGAINST the galleries, the doors and wher
aver any space has left vacant hang portraits OF
guished Americans, nearly all soldiers ana many
NJ them in old-fashoned costumes noncommissioned
ocer of the engineer corps. with silver badge upon
ms breast proclaiming that he was the best shot
in his company guarded the entrance to-day,
admitting none those who had right 10 be present.
without conference with the officers inside Inside
rectly in front the acove at raised desk sits the
SUPERINTENDENT, Gen. Ruger, and at either hand IN
segmept OF circle with its concave side toward the
entrance arranged the grave Professors ana ther
assistants. each with huge sheet Of paper before MN,
upon which he the record of each student as he
examined in each department Each one fixes this
rade OF excellence according 10 standard In his own
mind and IL is by comparison or equalization OF these
the cadet 10 finally ranked In 'front.' OF
the left end sits officer who acts as chef
incubator asking each cadet az ne Is called up series
OF questions seemingly according 10 some prearranged
order Sitting by him is another officer, also with
large sheet OF paper upon which he makes notes
at irregular intervals To the left OF the Academic
grammes and pens ink and paper, sit the members OF
the Board of Visitors, with smaller sheets OF paper
ready TO take notes Lining the of the hall are
.ests for general visitors with the best positions for
ladies' who have rarely appeared during TINS cold low,
from time 10 time murky clouds. The cadets as
snp Of their examiners Directly in front Of pro
fessors row OF bsckboards, upon
raised platform extended tnc ceuter Inc
name cadet is called, and he steps upon the
platform and Ia directly assailed with cross nrs OF
chief inquisitOr and the professor OF
r branch OF study under consideration who to-day was
prof Peter g. Niche. Phi. ID. He answers the questions
~ me first named best and then, Tor Tear the
answers may be simply lessons learned by rote Prof
Mchie tests his understanding by irregular series
mis- mari over To the blackboard and given
.ome nrobem 10 work out and demonstrate with chalk
and rubber while another cadet Is exposed 10 an IN
1u,s,torlaI yolley. And on through the section
and through the class. The Board OF VISIT
ors have the right TO ask questions, but
idom erercise IT, unless sometimes IN ethics and
Isw one or TWO may feel sufficiently at home on the
"niscI GENERALLY il safe presume that the cadet
is farther advanced than the average visitor ana
isngbable instances gyen:of men who have made
Themselves ridiculous by asking foolish Questions
nnrtno the ex animation OF the NTH section OF the sec
nn ass tins afternoon, the subject WAS NANNY optics
with acme references 10 astronomy Inc coioreu cadet
smith AZ in this section and appeared 10 De ABOUT as
vel grounded - ms classmates 49,. .. A..
WEN the examination over, TINS aItcrn"oh 'no
pard NJ Visitors were treated 10 an exhibition VI siese
hftery drill For this purpose the battery "ess VI ,ne
49, " az manned by members Of the SECOND class ei
M commsnd of Lieut.. John NJ h Davis Inc oat'ci3
oos,.ng OF ak guns, faces directly across i..o ,i
bare formed BY the river. upon the other sio Oh Will
~ nlsced large bIOwn-canvas tarRct, Win q al 80
10 MT in the center. la the anphltheater Iornou
nv The mn aud fringe OF trees was group " '"Nv
~ y,h Attendant cadets. officers. instructors, WIS
tors. aud cadets with no fair hIoHaa W '"''