Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-08-21
TO GET TO WEST POINT.
Age, Qualification, Expenditures, aud
Expectations ct Cadets.


Expectations ct Cadets.
The appointment of cadets to the
United States military academy is
congressional perQujsltc, Each con-
gressioual district and each territory.
rs we'll as tho District OF Columbia 10
entitled to one cadet Mt the academy
and ten are appointed ut large The
president appoints the ton cadets at
large and the other cadets are ap.
pointed by the secretary OF war ut the
request OF the member OF congress
from the district or territory from
which the appointment is made. Unlike
some appointments ut Washington
which are controlled by members OF
congress, these eadetships confer no
personal benefit upon the representa-
tives making them, An that the con-
gressman has to gain is in the good
will of the friends of the young man
to whom he gives the appointment
The congressman who has vacancy
at tho academy 70 OH notifies the peo-
Pile OF his district through the daily
papers that he win leave the appoint
ment to be settled by "a competitive OK
animation which will be open TO young
men who are OF the proper age and
otherwise qualified for tho academy.
These examinations arc OF n public
character and tho community usually
takes n great interest in them,
There ia no doubt of the admission
OF cadet who is thus appointed, says
George Grantham Balm, in tho tincin-
natl Times, unloss he should fail In the
physical examination, II he stands
tho test of the competitive, he Is un-
douhtodly able to stand tho test OF
the academioal examination, through
which he must go before entering the
academy
Tho qualifications for admittanos TO
the academy are very briefly stated In
circular which the war department.
has had prepared to send to inquirers;
for the secretary ia constantly in re-
ooipt ot lottors from anxious young
mon or tholr fathers asking tnr In
formation relative 60 the appointment
OF candidates,
'Iho ago for the admission of ca
dots to tho academy says this oircu-
lar is between II aud ~ yoars Ca
dots must be unmarried at least dive
ioot in height froe from any infectious
or immoral disorder and generally
FREQ from any detormity. disorder or
inArmily which may render Thorn un-
AZ for military service. They must be-
wol vcrsod in reading, In writing, In
Guiding photography; In arithmetic and
have n knowledge of tho clements OF
English grammar of descriptive
geography particularly OF our own
country and Of the history OF tho
United States"
Candidates for admission to tho
academy are advised TO undergo
preliminary physical and academioal
examination before leaving thoir
homes for West Point aud tho depart
mont suggests serios of disorders
which arc regarded as disqualification
sufficient to insure the applicants ro-
lection. A synupsit OF the peadenical
examination ~ sent 10 nppncnnls so
that they muy form some idoa Of tho
course OF study which thoy ought TO
pursue before applying for eNamina-
tion at Wcst Point
The expenses Of u candidate prior TO
his admission AFRO only about $40, but
the department warns the napointee TO
provide himself Ia advance with tho
means of returning in case of his re-
lection, u happens sometimes thet
ovor-conildent young mon come 20
West Point with the idea OF settling
down and do not bring enough money
with thom TO pay lhoir expenses homo,
1t Is n rather serious matter for ouu-
didntc from the Pacific coast to find
himself without u commission and
lacking money TO pny his return ex-
ponses Although there la no provl-
ton for IL in law, the authorities OF
the academy will look after him for
timo. but over-conHdonee Is likely 10
place him in position which will
cause him some embarrassment,
II the candidate 10 admitted no has
TO provide himself with nm outfit
which will cost him about 500 His
pay which Commences with his nd
mission TO tho academy, is 1910 n
year. and most OF tho cadets find this
sufficient TO support them while In tho
academy. Thoy are not permitted TO
receive money or other supplies from
parents or from anyone else without
the sanction OF the superintendent.
Their course is of four years, Mt the
end Of which time, II they pass the
6nal examinations, they become
second lleutenants In the regular army.
Wasted Consolation.
0na nf IL auo rood ,i.uf,y,nan ,,,tn