New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-07
NEW PLANS AT WEST POINT.
CHANGES TO BE RECOMMENDED BY THE
BOARD OF VISITORS.
HOW THE QUOTA MAY BE KEPT F1LLED-AN
ARTILLERY DRILL WINDS UP THE WEEKS

HOW THE QUOTA MAY BE KEPT flLLtD-hN
ARTILLERY DRILL WINDS UP THE WEEKS
ORDEAL FOR THE CADETS.
West Point, June speciaD-n the recommends
tons Of the present Board Of Visitors followed
the method of appointment to the Military Academy
will certainly be changed. At a meeting last night
the Board submitted TO Colonel Wilson, the superin-
tendent its views concerning extension of the sp-
pointing power TO the members OF the Senate and ap
prevail Of candidates by State examining boards Under
the new Congressional apportionment there will be $50
nominations to the Academy by Representatives every
four years Including the Territories and tho District
OF Columbia and the ten nominations by the President,
this number would be raised TO al, which, with
eighty eight by the Senator's from the forty -four States
would keep the Academy quota full and provide against
casualties.
Colonel Wilson not only supports this pan but sug-
gess another that meets with the Boards cordial
approval Heretofore unqualified asplrants have been
coming to the Academy in shoals from remote points,
only TO be sent home again after notifying and
troublesome experience, leaving the Academy short
Of students Whose places may not be filed for years.
Colonel Wilson, who is eminently practical officer,
believes that all this could be avoided and the Acad
envy quota maintained sby system of local exam
nations, to be held at State centres by
Army officers, properly empowered. These Off
GERS could receive through the War Department
examination papers, under seal, which would
date he could meet them in examination-room,
file their by numbers and forward the papers
to West Point Here the Academic Board would
scrutnze them and notify to the candidates by num-
bers, through the examining officer whether they
could be received or not II eligible they could
straight to the Academy and begin their studies
without further test. suitable provision would, Of
| course, be made for physical examinations after
the same method This scheme has commonsense to
recommend it, while it lacks the Objectionable features
| of others that have been proposed
The rst-class cadets passed their last examination
this afternoon with flying coors virtually conclud
| ing their four years study of the art Of war,
exemplfed by innumerabe drills and parades and the
seventy five bulky manuals whose principles they
are supposed to have got by heart The examinations
of the lower classes will probably continue until
next Tuesday. Meanwhile there will be careful
calculation of the relative standing Of the aspants
I'm all branches, and on Thursday the final result
will be known. The examiners note the merit Of
recltatons they proceed in scale of tenths. Of
which the number three represents the highest point
Each Of the examiners keeps his own record OF
marks, and the lists vary but little.
All previous military exhibitions were thrown into
the shade by the highly spectacular field artillery
drill this afternoon The drill performed with
six 210 inch steel breechoaders, lately issued 1t
began with the formation in line of the guns and
hmbers and the cassons, to which were hanessed
Lieutenant John d. C. Haskins, Of the Sd Artillery
an instructor OF artillery tactics, commanded.
body OF thri-class cadets marched ont from the
barracks and climbed on the limbcrs and caissons,
where they sat like statues with folded and
white gloved hands Five six mounted cadets of
the first class acted chiefs of section and chiefs
Of platoon. one, the gudonbearer rode up with
a scarlet banner with two yellow crossed in
the field The commanders bugler sounded few
notes and away went horsemen and cannons and
wagons at brisk trot across the plain. After they
had rumbled and clattesed past two three times
in a tremendous cloud of dust Lieutenant Haslns
waved his sword and platoons became columns and
columns lines with rapidly almost kaleidoscope.
Presently they burst into gallop, and the rawest
civilian could not help noticing how we'll the lines
were dressed As the cavacade dashed by the re
viewing post the mems shad0wy figures shoucttcd
against background of dust. one OF the drivers,
riding position, with his hat off Juggling
with might and main at the bride of spirited sorre,
and the guidon had all he could do 10 manage the big
great Bernard that the "pebes" 'yearings' regard
with mortal fear. At the library end Of the
parade ground the battery halted The cadets jumped
from their seats and hastily unlimbcred' the drivers
went away with the lmbcrs and caissons leaving the
guns in row. Handspikes brought up,
munit!on was served f;om postmens wallets, the
gunners seized their lnyars and the order Fire by
threads leaped from the cannon mouths. lie lados
covered their ears, and the next minute white cloud
sCtWeu 10 nave ldll"n on PAIN All le small
children in tie neghb0rIood began to cTi, every
body who wasn't AFRAID rcvecd In the likeness OF the
scene 20 glorious war" The cadets lmbclcd up a.
rapidly they had unimbered, and securing
the plain in the direction Of the hotel After they
had poured voeys into the vcTandah, the border emS
ana the chapel, they dismountcd and ran home at
the double"
one of the most interested spectators a pale
man on clutches, with big mustache. This
Captain Godfrey. of the eth Cavalry, who injured
IN the affair at Wounded Knee
Congressman Burrows, Mr.. Payne, General Peck,
Major Carson and Father 0'Brien made the grand
round az midnight yesterday with an officer and
flashed bueye lantern into the cots Of the sleeping
cadets. Several of the party arose again this morn
ing at rcvele. at O'Clock they saw the monthly
Inspection Of tie enlisted men az the post and after
ward visited the engineers barracks and here they
found the plumbing In the worst of order. needing
small appropriation for its repair senator Mander
son and Congressman Burrows left here this
afternoon for Ellersie, where they Will stay
as the guests of vice-pTesdent Morton over sunday
Tomorrow morning Chaplain Postethwate will preach
10 graduating