The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-15
MILITARY AND NAVAL APPOINT.
MENTS UPON MERIT.

Congressman Wilson has very wisely
and properly determined to make the ap-
poIntments for cadets at the military and
naval academies the prizes of open COM
petitive examinations IN which every boy
in the state of Washington shall have
fair and equal opportunity with every
other boy. He has named the 18th inst.
as the day for such examinations, which
are to be held at Spokane. The date is
very near at hand. Candidates for
admission to the naval academy
must not be under fifteen nor more than
twenty years of age, and for the military
academy not under seventeen nor more
than twenty-five. The educational re-
quirements are not stated, but presumably
they do not go beyond thorough qualifiea-
ton in the elementary branches taught in
the common schools of the country. Ply
steal conditions, such as perfect sight,
hearing and freedom from disease of any
kind, are of course essential.
Mr.. Wilson cannot be too careful in the
selection of the committee by whom the
examination is to be made. To remove
all appearance of favoritism he should Sc
cure the services of board absolutely
non-partisan and wholly impartial. The
competition should be made in the broad
est sense an open one wholly free from
bias, personal favor or prejudice of any
sort. This, of course, is Mr.. Wilson's in
tention, and he cannot be too careful to
see that it is carried out. 1t would be
better and fairer to all concerned if the
date of the examination could be posi-
poned one month, making it June &c in
stead of May 20. or better still, If it could
be delayed until the 4th of July; and it is
to be hoped that Mr.. Wilson may be able
to do this.
Washington's record at the military and
naval academies is not an especially brill
liant one, due to the fact that for many
years the appointments were made not
upon merit, but by personal favor to the
sons of relatives or friends of members of
congress. But in every case where the
appointments have been made upon merit
to Washington boy, there has been no.
table, if not brilliant, success. The few
bona fide sons of Washington who
represent the state in the army
and in the navy are a
credit to it in every way. 1t is important
that this standing should be maintained,
| and whoever gains the prizes soon to be
awarded must bear in mind that they rep
resent a state that will watch their course
with interest and in the hope that they
will prove diligent, competent and worthy.
Any boy who is unwilling to accept the
appointment without a sense of obligation
to the state to always do his best as a stu
dent and soldier has no business to enter
into the competition.
Positions in the army and navy are
among the important and recognized prizes
, of American life. They afford opportunity
for high personal accomplishment, for use
| full service to the country, and for personal
distinction. An appointment to the mill
tary or the naval academy is q thing
which any boy may covet, for it opens the
way to a career second to none in its inn
| portance and in its personal opportunities.
| The PosT-INTELLIGENcER congratulates the
boys of Washington upon the chance that
| is now offered them, and it trusts that the
| prizes will go to those who most deserve
| them.