The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-27
the WEST POINT CADETS.
IL IL Proposed to MAKE q Considerable In
crrnrr In Their Nnmhcra.


crease In Their Numbers.
WARRINGTON. July 20 This years Board OF
Visitors to the Military Academy has renewed
the recommendation OF its predecessor that
the corps OF cadets should be enlarged by the
legislation OF Congross.
1t is questionable however. whether this IL
necessary or eXpedient. There hove been
many diverse expressions of opinion on this
subject. Gen. Grant once said. during visit
to the Academy that there ough. to be thou
sand cadets there: but this was probably
hasty expression. Intended to show his apprc-
citation OF the good work OF the school. II
proper means wore taken to secure as many
cadets for tho Academy as the existing laws
allow. there would not only be n large Increase
upon the number now there but many more
than are needed for the vacancies In the army.
Tho number OF cadets at tho date of last
years report was 2S4; the number according
to the present report is $50. But under the
existing law there might be 347 The strength
OF the corps IL fixed at one from each Congress-
district. one from each Territory. ono from the
District OF Columbia. and ten from the United
States Mt large. these last being appointed by
the President. Tho trouble Is. In the first
place. that some Congressman fail to select
candidates for appointment from their dis
tricts. but above all that they often select can
didates who cannot pass tho examination.
Last year. for example there we're seventeen
districts from which no appointments we're
made. Nine who were appointed did not mp
pear: and out OF 12o who appeared for exami-
nation 80 did not pass. Instead OF an alt srnats
in each district. only 64 in all were appointed.
and only 81 out OF these thought It worth
while to appear, and but seven OF those wero
admitted. This is a simple explanation Of
why only OF cadets were secured last year to
I'LL 1856 vacancies.
II congressman would Invariably make
their appointments In season. and H. as the
present Board suggests. they would appoint
not ono alternate. as hitherto customary. but
two. we should see. even with no greater care
In selections than now. large increase In
the number that pass and In the size
Of tho classes This suggestion Of two
alternates is. in fact. one OF the best contribu-
tions OF the present Board to the discussion.
There Is another point to remember. With
tho coming fall elections the increase In tho
number OF congressman will raise the legal
strength Of the corps to 81. Here is an in
crease OF twenty-four cadets annually made
certain. Now. under the present system. with
all its deficiencies. there are actually enough
graduates every year to I'LL the Vacancies
In the late assignments it was even necessary
to appoint additionals in some branches Of the
service. as the actual vacancies had been
Der Of enlisted men to be com missioned inter
examination for promotion. 1t ia. therefore.
four to be mado under the next Congress ap.
portionment. more cadets will be graduated
each year than can ind places in the army
unless there shall be cutting down OF the
promotions among enlisted men. which would
not be wise. or permanent increase IN tho
has yet been provided.
Another cause that is likely to operate for
| the increase in the number OF cadets Is the
| new system OF examinations at many di fterent
| places through tho country. II has been seen
that last year nine principals and thitty-four
alte ate failed to report Tor examination at
| ing examinations 10 distant parts of the coun.
try. as we'll as at West Point. tho number OF
| candidates who present themselves will be
Increased. especially among the alternates.
| With the chance Of the failure Of Il principal.
the only one presented to un alternate it is
money In preparation and IN travel. 'ut tho
with, The selection Of two alternates. where
| difference in the successful candidates.
st another means Of bringing un the num-
law would be that Of fixing an earlier date for
the appointment Of candidates. and. on tho
failure OF ConEressmen to exercise that priv
partment. This would insure ample time for
ss satf thu" s * 5 opnon
has tolcrahly we'll settled upon the plan OF in
| creasing the number Of cadets simply by Civ
| cadets annually. instead Of ten in four years.
asnow. This would create an increase OF only
| thirty cadets In the maximum. But tho COM
Ing increase OF twcnty-four on account of the
| new Congress anportionment. really seems
lsrke enough in itself at present, since there
Officers OH Tor the inc Of the army After year
| or two Of this increased number il Will e time
| enough to consider whether n further enlarge
ment in tho corps Of cadets is advisable.