Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-05-17

but Of late the conditions have changed,
and the cavalry is more popular"
how have the conditions changed
"In this way. IN the artillery few die and
none resign. Now in the cavalry service
on the plains, hard work, exposure, Indian
fghlipg and that sort Of thing kills them off
more rapidly
And do you mean to say that this makes
the cavalry service the most popular? DO
the military cadets 50 long for death that
they have TO court it in this wayY
"Oh, no. You don't understand at all.
They court promotion. not death, and when
they see a service in which officers are dying
off ahead of them very fast they see that
that is the one for them, for their chances OF
promotion are much better there; and that
is largely what the army officer lives for you
know"
why was the artillery more popular here
tofore?
Probably because it is considered higher
grade of the service. There are more things
10 learn in preparing for the artillery ser.
vice, and it is considered higher rank Of
the service. So it happens that men who
pass highest often get this service. This
perhaps made it the most popular rank for
merly because all students observed that the
brightest men went into it. But it is not so
now.
Are the cadets permitted TO select the
branch OF service into which they will en-
terY
"They are permitted to express prefer,
ence in the matter, and this preference Is
AZ.
they are assigned to duty after they grada-
ate. Their wishes are not always gratiGed,
but they usually are where it is practicable
"Do all cadets enter the army after their
course ends?'
AS q rule, yes. They take an obiga-
ton on entering the military course at the
point to serve four years in the army after
school term is ended. Sometimes they ten,
der their resignation after they get through
their term of service, but this not often the
case. They are usually assigned to position
ut once, in the lowest rank as commissioned
officer, and given chance TO work up as
promotions occur.
What is the rank to which they are first
assigned
That of Second Lieutenent. IF they 60
into the artillery or infantry they are liable
to stay there perhaps theie four years. II
they 20 into the cavalry aud are able to
stand the exposure, they are promoted more
rapidly"
AND at the end of the four years what
then
oh they may go on as officers as long as
they like, or they may tender their resigua-
bo, hn
Of them hold on, for there is fascination
about army life, especially the life of an OF
fcer who has had four years experience
and promotion, that few Of them care to
leave il"
DO you mean then that nearly all Of
those who enter the Military Academy at
West Point become military men for the re
mainder of their lives"
by no means. Gin the contrary, more
than halt Of the number drop out before
the end Of the four years course is reached
Ii is a very difficult course you know, aud
only the best of those who start into it come
out. Thew drop by the way at every ex-
animation.
how many are there in the school, and
what are its requirementsr
Each Congressional District aud Terri
tory is entitled to have one cadet at the
Academy. This is also true of the District
of Columbia Ten cadets are appointed a.
large by the President of the United States
The appointments. with the exception Of
these ten, are made by the Secretary of War
at the request of the Representative OF Dele
gate in Congress from the District or Terri
tory and the person appointed must be an
sctual " sidenr Of the District or Territory
tom which the appointment is made. Ap
pointments are required by law to he made
one year in advance Of the date OF sdmis
sion, except in cases where, by reason OF
death or other cause. vacancy occurs
which cannot be provided for by such aP,
pointmc mt in advance These vacancies ARE
filed in time for the next annual exsnina'