The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-09
STRIVING FOR 4 CADETsHIP.
The Examination In Jamaica for Admission
90 the West Point Academy.

Eleven young men, with pens, ink, and pa
per before them. sat around the tables In the
rear room Of the Jamaica Town Hall. on We'd
nesday. and waited impatiently for the ques-
tons by which the School Commissioners OF
Queens. Suffolk. and Richmond Counties were
TO decide their respective degrees OF proficiency.
There was not dull face in the group. They
were all quick. sharp. animated young
men. and. In looking at them. one was apt to
regret that only one OF their number could win
the single vacant West Point cadetshp for
which they were competing.
The ariihmetical questions were not in them
selves very severe; they consisted largely OF
vulgar and decimal fractions with several men
suration problems. But tho time given to solve
them seemed altogether too brief and ut the
close OF the thirty minutes allowed hardly any
OF tho candidates had answered. or attempted
10 answer. oil the questions. One problem was I:
Given tho length. breadth and height Of a room.
10 find the number OF square yards Of carpet
necessary 10 cover the iloor the height Of
course. was thrown in with a view OF confusing
the candidates. but. 80 far as could DO learned,
they all rejected II.
Some OF the questions in geography were
garingly simple. and others PROBATIONARY
difficult. No trouble WAS experienced In nam
but Il is doubtful whether any one said correctly
NJ what time the sun was vertical above the
equator and the tropics.
Questions IN grammar were given without
going much deeper into the rules than IL prac-
tised in ordinary public schools. but the words
given to the candidates TO spell seemed 10 puzzle
them exceedingly: not because the words were
themselves especially difficult. but on account
OF the pronunciation OF the school teacher who
conducted this portion OF the examination
" Deficit" and "squalor" are not hard words TO
spoil. but being called "deyAcit'' and "squay-
lor." they seemed TO tax the candidates powers
OF photography.
The historical examination dealt only with
the affairs OF this nation. and the candidates
seemed TO answer them readily; but the ques-
ton. or portion Of a question. Who were the
last three Presidents OF the United States 2"
caused some hesitation.
The remainder OF the examination was con-
Quoted vive voce. and the candidates all showed
themselves. as far AS arthmetical problems
were concerned. exceedingly quick.
The reading was. except in the case OF Mr. u.
c. Dunbar. who is capital elocutionist. bad.
Still the examination WAS regarded as on the
whole, remarkably good. and when. at A. seven
OF the candidates were told that they might re-
tire. and they would learn what places they had
taken hereafter. every ono felt sorry. for II was
very well understood that their chances OF OBJ
tanning the vacant cadetship were null and void.
The five who remained were B. W. Atkinson T.
G. Dunbar. Maurice Bowler w. Il. Doyle and
+. @. Benjamin. They were submitted 10 u very
searching arithmetical examination. which was
vigorously taken part in by Mr.. PierrepOnt
Potter. the oldest teacher in the county, and
said TO be the Oldest Mason in tho State He is
nearly 90 years of age.
The Commissioner after discussion last
ing for an hour. decided 10 give Benjamin tho
appointment. with Dunbar us alternate.