The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-01-13

pbell gives Lotice OF the time o.
ding a competitive examination
candidates for admission to the
Academy. -.
At the last examination IN this
district, which was he'd in Johns
town on the 22d OF March. 1857,
there were six applicants-three
from Johpstown, two from Somerset
county. and one from Bedford coun-
~. Mr.. Charles Thomas Menoher,
Of Johnstown, was the successful
gentleman. His term at the Acade,
INV expires this year, and 1t is to MI
the place thus to bs vacated that the
examination will be held.
Some information as to the rules
governing admission TO the West
Point Academy and as to the nature
of the examination an applicant has
10 pass at the institution will no
doubt be interesting to all OF our
readers.
First. il might be said each Con-
gressional District and Territory
also the district of Columbia-is en-
titled tc one cadet at the Academy.
Ten are also appointed "at large.
The appointments Except those at
large are made by the Secretary OF
War at the request of the Represent
alive or Delegate in Congress from
the District or Territory; and the
person appointed must be an actual
resident OF the District or Territory
from which the appointment Is
made. The appointments at large
are specially conferred by the Presi-
dent of the United States.
A Representative has also the
privilege Of nominating an alternate,
who will be examined by the Board
at the same time and in the same
manner as the regular nominee, and
admitted in the event of his success
and the latter's failure to pass the
prescribed preliminary examination.
The alternate, IN this instance, will
probably be the young man who
stands the second best examination
before the local board,
The age for the admission of ca
diets TO the Academy as between
seventeen and twenty-five years.
Candidates must be at least five feet
in height, and free from any IT,
fections OF immoral disorder, and,
generally, from any deformity, dis
ease. or infrmity which may render
them unfit for military service. They
must be well versed in reading, ia
writing, including orthography, and
arithmetic, and have knowledge OF
the elements of English grammar, OF
descriptive geography, particularly
of our own country, and OF the his
tory of the United States.
Every candidate is, soon after his
arrival at West Point, subjected to a
rigid physical examination by an
experienced Medical Board, and II
there is found to exist in him any OF
the following causes of disqualified
ton to such a degree as would i'm
mediately or at any distant period
impair his efficiency, he is rejected.
feeble constitution and muscular ten
uity unsound health from whatever cause;
indications Of former disease; glandular
swellings, or other symptoms of scrofula.
2-Chronic cutaneous affections, especial
~ of the scalp.
3-Severe injuries of the bones OF the
head COMMISSIONS
s-Impaired vision, from whatever cause
infammatory affections of the eyelids; i'm
mobility Of the iris fistula, lachrymails
etc.
5-Deafness; copous discharge from the
ears.
6-Loss Of many teeth, or the teeth gener-
ally unsound.
7-Impedimento OF speech.
s-Mant of capacity Of the chest ana
any other indication of liability TO a Dul-
monte disease.
9-Impaired or inadequate efficiency Of
one or both of the superior extremities on
account Of fractures. especially of the CLAW
icle, contraction of joint, exteBua.ion, de-
formity. etc.
lO-An unusual excuryature or incurva-
ture of the spine
ll-Hernia.
I2-A varicose state Of the veins of the
scrotum, or spermatic chord twhen largel,
sarcocele, hydrocele, hemorrhoids. fistulas.
l3-Impaired or inadequate efficiency of
one or both OF the inferior extremities on
account Of yaricose veins. fractures, malfor-
nation tflat feet, etc }. lameness. contraction,
unequal length. bunions, everything or super
numersry toes. etc.
14-Ulcers, or unsound cicatrices of ulcers
likely 70 break out afresh.
The newly appointed cadets are
then examined by the Academic
Board, and those not qualified are
rejected. Questions in reading, writ
ing, orthographv, arithmetic, English
grammar. and descriptive geography,
the applicant will be required to an
swer in writing or orally, or both.
and the examination will be very
thorough. In reading the candi-
dates must be able to read UNDER
standingly and with proper accent
and emphasis. In writing and or
biography they must be able to write
from dictation sentences from stand
are pieces of English literature, both
prose and poetry, sufficient in num-
Der to test their qualifications, both
in handwriting and orthography in
arithmetic, TO explain accurately and
clearly its objects, and the manner
Of writing and reading numbers
entire, fractional, compound, or de-
nominate. In English grammar
candidates must exhibit familiar
ity with all the parts of speech aud
the rules in relation thereto; must
be able to parse any ordinary SEN
tence given to them. and, generally,
must understand those portions OF
the subject usually taught under the
heads Of photography, etymology,
syntax, and prosody. la descrip-
tive geography the candidate must
be familiar with the natural divis-
ions of the earth the waters, noun
tains, and principal places of the
Eastern and Western hemispheres
also. almost everything in the Unit
ed States; boundaries of States and
Territories; location ofrivers, noun
tains, cities, etc. In the history oi
the United States the applicant will
have to be particularly well posted
in the earliest European settlements
within the United States; when,
where and by whom made; what
was the difference between the roval.
the chartered, and the proprietary
colonies; how many colonies were
originally in Massachusetts, and