Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1884-04-13
To OUR BOYS WHO WANT THE
CADETSRIP.

Winnemucca, April 2S, for the Nevada
cadetship at West Point. John G.
Jury of Ruby Hill informed us yester-
day. after a talk over the matter, that
he would enter the lists; and we learn,
also. that Andrew Stinson of Ruby Hill
will probably take part in the competi-
tive examination. We have only a par
tial acquaintance with these young gen.
tlemen. but we hear from those who
know them that they have fine talents
and are well advanced in their studies,
though somewhat rusty just now; nor
is it likely that any one Of them is lack
ing in the physical qualifications demand
ed. We have been consulted by a num-
Der of friends of the candidates, asking
information in regard to the examination,
wishing to find out what their chances OF
success will be, and expressing appre-
hension that some partiality may be
shown to possible favorites in the test,
and that others may not get a square
DEAL" On this score any fear that may
be entertained is utterly groundless. 1t
has been the vicious policy in some quar-
tiers, perhaps, for personal and unworthy
reasons, to encourage this somewhat
natural fear and to create a suspicion Of
the fairness of the competitive examina-
ton. There is no cause, so far as we
can imagine, to suspect that the test will
be anything but fair and totally impair
tial in every respect. Gentlemen OF in
tegrity and honor will conduct it. 1t
will be conducted openly, in some such
apartment as the county Courtroom, we
presume, in the presence of all who de-
sire to attend. The questions given will
be answered, as far as possible, in writing;
and the examination papers of the COM
peting lads will be kept as a public rec
ord for anybody to inspect and criticise.
Rules for grading will doubtless be de-
termined on by the Board of Examiners.
so that each candidates work may be
measured by the members of the Board
or by anybody else with mathematical
accuracy. Relatives or friends Of the
applicants may go with them and see for
themselves that everything at the exam
nation is done impartially. We are
satisfied, however, that every boy will
.
stand strictly on his own merits and that
the best one will win on'the worth of
his papers. Such a guarantee we could
not think Of suggesting were it not to
reassure apprehensive candidates or their
friends.
We hope that one Of our Eureka boys
will carry off the coveted prize. 1t is
only just to them, however, to let the
public know that they enter the contest
somewhat handicapped. While they
have begun only now to make special
preparation, and have hardly more than
a fortnight in which to get themselves
ready, other lads, we do not know how
many, have been working and cramming
for the examination for six months or
more. Hence, if they should fail, no one
should say it was because they were in
ferior in intelligence. But we do not
mean to discourage our boys. 1t will
not hurt them to be distanced, and a
brushing up for the contest will do them
good. While the chances are against
them, for the reasons given, it is by no
means certain that one Of them will not
win. And this is why-in the first
place, the examination will be on the
rudiments only. These are the requir-
ments: The candidate must be versed
in reading, writing, including orthog'
raphy, arithmetic, English grammar. de-
scriptive geography, particularly of oul
own country, and the history of the
United States. Still, in order to select
one out of a number for proficiency in
these simple studies, it is evident that
the examination in them will have to be
rigid and comprehensive. At the same
time, it is presumed, of course, that the
examiners will attach the greatest i'm
portance to a knowledge of principles,
and will endeavor to test this knowledge
by general and untechnical questions.
On account of the small range and the
simplicity of the required studies, we
believe that our boys can brighten up
greatly, ever in two weeks Of intelligent
and systematic review; and, on this
account, we feel justified in saying to the
Eureka candidate, ''pitch in" One OF
them may win, and it will surely be
very creditable to him if he does. Again
we will suggest to our boys who may be
about competing with elaborate
ly prepared rivals, that examining often
does not win. Unless a boy has brains
to build his book-knowledge on he is
likely to lose his head. get nervous, ex-
cited and confused, and forget three