New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-08
"PLEBS" NOT NUMEROUS.
FEWER THAN USUAL AT WEST POINT.
YOUTHFUL WARRIORS At THE POST EXHIBIT
THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.


THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
West Point June THE Pebs" the candidates
Tor admission TO the Military Academy are always called,
though FOR what pathological other I'm sure
don't know are not especially During June
and August last year 235 70 West Point With
letters OF appointment while only 12o principals
and 81 ailernaes have reported examination Each
Congressional district In country each Territory
entitled 10 have cadet the Academy and soon as
vacancy occurs 1t is the Presidents duty oil It just
as he Should Ill other ONCE whose occupants appoint
ment rests with HIM There a popular but wholly en-
roneous notion that appointments 10 the Military and Nava
Academies belong matter OF law right the Con-
gressnen Ths is not the fact all 1t Is that
practice the congressman permitted nominate to
the President and IL is his inyarabe practlco appoint
whom they name. but he under no LEGAL obligation TO
consult them at all That ia Cone only for conventional
reasons The apponees DO actual residents OF the
districts from which they appointed and It is because
Of this requirement o, Law that custom sprung
OF turning the natter over to the C,pgressmen.
For thirty OF principals atcrnates have
named The examinations will place June Is and
49, and the result will be announced two days later.
About 20 per cent OF those appointed usually rejected
by tho Academy examiners 1t is not usual that the
limit Of the Acadcmys capacity under reached
Some Congressman fail TO appoint Last year there
ortyone vacancies while the corps cadets should
Der In ts maximum strength 344 The standard OF al
mission is exceedingly low. Originally It only re-
qured that candidates should be versed in reading
by the addition OF the clause knowledge Of the ee
ments of English grammar, OF descriptive geography
ucuary that OF the United States and history OF
the United States In practice the Academy Board
as far as 1t lawfully can in maintaining standard Its
examinations are thorough and its system marking
we're But the theory Of the law 10 make admittance
easy and open to every public school boy and
veest method could not do much render grade Of
entrance under the law much higher OF
ordinary high school.
than al tho Eouth
this year, else Souherners have veer appreciation
Of military education than the people Of the North and
West for Of the 1853 candidates before the Board
seveny-six come from below Mason and DixCn's line
There fifteen candidates from this State. These are
sscor O. Cole, William g. Fitzgerald. william NJ. Flynn,
Benjamin B. Hyer Samuel A. Kane. Edward NJ Sanders,
Frederick NJ Lewis John L. Omstead. Charles H. Rooo,
Edward l. H. Rogers William c. Rogers, Albert d.
Sayre Harry C. Stone and Frank Tompklns
Under the sharp espionage OF Herman j. Koeher mas
ter Of the OF gymnastcs the fourth
class gave exhibition this morning in the wretched ana
nscrably equipped gymnasium in the Museum Building
Efforts long been made TO decent gymnasium
here and among the military appropriations now penang
before Congress OF Sl00 900 for that purpose Inc
curriculum sharply criticised in Congress
and esewh for the little attention paid to Instruction
In English. This has been frequently discussed topic
IN the reports Boards Of Visitors and the consensus Oh
opinion seems to be while the young men here get
plenty OF mathematics and any quantity Of tactics they
FAN short in English Logic and rhetoric passed
aeety BY and curious made by the cadets IN
simple grammar That is too bad but it ought not 70
be the additional fact that they are snted In phyd
education also. ,,.-
Many OF the Young men showed both ability and agity
in the use Of their muscles this morning. They vauea
over bars ashoA around broaswofds and oayone1
fenced dexterously fcis hurled shot welded huse
clubs and got very timber hot and red But they e@
the unLounded admiration Of large and eNthusdSuo '
Of Young ladies who had assembled to see their leror
rho Isvished 3pplause with gedeiCus
and often, too, with an ample foot
In the afternoon the ortyfour graduates commahdeu ny
Lieutenant James Allen OF the 80 avalCry, gave an eN
bi,ion cavalry drill lasting an hour They gaiiopeu W
and down the plain the shrn music OF an inspiring
bngI vigorously and waving their saores IN the
alr looking exceedingly gallant and daring IheS
about a, the shortest kind Of notice, dashed hher
and Won in companies and in single line eurve'eu'
c.s and d,d many other valiant and delightful things
When they charged imaginary battery IN s9uauiohS
they tore along with great feroeiy and cut VeousJ d.
the imaginary heads OF uccss gunners and grchaers
THE scene on the plain whore the riding took place was
- n.ot,x TIL. whole length was bordere1 with sight
seers The under-cadets making themselves agree
able to battalion Of pretty girls, seated on cannon on
rocks on Notifications, and many other cohFe'eh'
and picturesque spots where pretty dresses gay UNI
,,ms brilliant bonnes saucy parasols lent color and
animation the spectacle
Al Senator Culloms suggestion the Board OF Visitors
held meeting this afternoon 70 hear an argument from
General Parke as to the appropriations needed TO make
certain repalrs TO the Academy property The subject
of the gymnasium talked and the General said
It was as bad as could be- The whole Museum Building
he said had pronounced unsafe by experts and he
thought IL shorld be taken down and entirely new
recitation building put In It's place. This could be done
FOR about $4,000 exhibited drawings OK the build
Ing contemplated and showed that in all ways It was
seriously needed The Rotations now held In the
Museum and not comfortable to think that IL was
liable at any hour to tumble down about their ears
The officers gave hop at Grant Hall last night which
,Sss attended by Their especial guests.