Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-01-09
WEST POINT CADETS.
Rules and Regulations Concerning Them.

: The appointment of Mr.. Vert Francis
Anderson" as he is addressed by the Sec
rotary of War-an address which we trust
the future will change to- General Ander-
son"-to cadetship at West Point, ex-
cites unusual interest in the people Of
Austin in our great national military
academy. and calls forth many questions
concerning the life and duties of a stu
dent in that institution. In order to an
swer some of these questions for our
readers we have culled the following in
formation:
Each congressional district, and ter
ritory, and also the District Of Columbia,
is entitled to have one cadet at the &C.
ademy, who is appointed by the Secre
tary of War. There are also ten cadets
appointed at large by the President of
the United States. The Secretary of War
appoints, at the request of the Represent
atlves in Congress, who usually select 4
candidate for recommendation by COM
petitive examination in the district The
successful examinee then receives con-
ditional appointment, with orders to re-
port at West Point early in the following
June, where he is again examined bv the
faculty Of the academy. Hagain success
full, the candidate IS admitted, with pay,
to serve in the Academy until the follow
. ing January, when, if his scholarship, de-
ed standard, he receives his commission.
The commission dates back to July l,
and the cadet draws pay from the same
date: The pay is $40 per year, and can
not be added to by parents, unless with
| the consent of the Superintendent. The
cadet is required to furnish his own cloth
ing, which is of prescribed quality and
| amount, and pay his board until the final
admission. AS soon as he is regularly
admitted. he is considered to be in the
service of the government, and is requir-
| ed to take an oath substantially as fol-
lows Il do hereby engage that will
serve in the army Of the United States for
eight years, unless sooner discharged by
competent authority. And do solemnly
swear that will support the constitution
OF the United States and bear true ale
glance to the national government: that
ereignty of the United States paramount
to any and all allegiance, sovereignty, or
fealty may owe to any state, county, or
country' whatsoever; and that l will at
all times obey the legal orders of my su.
perior officers and the rules and articles
governing the Armies of the United
States" 1t will thus be seen that each
! cadet serves four years in the academy
and four years in the regular army. AT.
tier graduation, the cadets are candidates
for commissions as second ieutenants in
the army; but if there are no vacancies,
they are discharged. There are now ne
supernumerary offices for graduates OF
West Point.
The course of study covers a period OF
four years, and is very difficult. It is
much like the ordinary college course
with all the easy branches substituted by
military tactics. There are no classics.
The modern languages and Mathematics
prevail in the course and must be thor
0ughly mastered. Indeed. all branches
must be mastered, for the examination,
are rigorous, and failure to pass then
at any time means dismissal from the &C
ademy. Here there is no favor, no par
TALLY. The government wants men O.
force, brain, and endurance and it ca,
only get them by taking those who sur
vive this four years Of trial. Our youn,
friend has the mind and body to maxi
him first-class soldier, and we hope tina
he will not come home before his time
and he will not, if he be industrious ant
lObedlent.