The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-03

new ones-or ''plebes," as members Of the
fourth class are called. Those in the third
class are dubbed ''yearlings."
1t having been found out that Mr. Smith
had been member of q volunteer company
at home, he was one night laid upon the
floor Of bis tent and had piled upon him all
the comforts. blankets and pillows at hand.
with the washstand and looking glass on
top, and was told to stay there until all the
tin soldier was sweated out Of him. It be-
ing hot July night, it did not take long for
this to be accomplished and for him to CRY
out that he was in thorough condition to re-
ceive the West Point tactics.
Upon another occasion he and a oompan-
ion started down to the river to take a swim
but had not gotten far before they were
halted by same of the cadets and asked IL
they had qualified. Notwithstanding an
affirmative reply they were made to go into
tent, balance Themselves over a locker and
were told to swim to Albany and back"
During this delightful exercise they
were frequently npplauded and
their terrific strokes through the air highly
complimsnted. At last they were told that
they had qualified satisfactorily as swim
mers aud could 60 on, which they proceeded
TO do with alacrity. All this was very
rough, of course, but was done in fun, with
no i'll feeling behind it, and was received
with perfect good nature. The one who
fallen into hard lines, for he is more leased
and worried than ever.
FUN AT THE EXPENSE OF GREENHoRNs.
The ignorance about military matters of
some OF the new cadets affords great deal
of amusement to those of more experience
For instance, after instructions in regard to
saluting officers the following occurred:
Mr.. A. twho takes everything very seri-
ouslyl-We are ordered to salute when not
further than thirty PAGES; how are we to
kno| when we are exactly thirty PAGES!
Ar. B. the wag of the olass)-Why, If
you are in ANY doubt just stop and measure
it off it doesn't make SO much difference
about the salute 50 long as you get the dis
tance right.
Mr.. A. much relieved)-Oi
But shout OF laughter from the group,
unable to suppress it any longer, shows that
be has been guyed.
The "Pleben is instructed In dancing, but
il is not until his second year that be is
allowed TO attend the hops or gets an oppor-
tunity of flirting with the girls.
A furlough is only given once during the
academic course, always at the end of the
second year.
The first Of September the cadets return
to barracks aud studies are resumed. The
fourth class, first year, are instructed In
mathematics, modern languages, history,
geography, ethics, drill regulations of
artillery and infantry, use Of the sword =,
etc. third class, second year, mathematics,
modern languages, drawing, drill reGula-
tious OF artillery, infantry and cavalry;
second class, third year, natural and
mineralogy, geology, drawing, drill
regulations OF artillery, infantry and cav
airy, and practical military engineering;
first class, fourth year, natural and expert
mental philosophy. modern languages. law,
civil and military engineering aud science
of war, practical military engineering. drill
regulations OF artillery, cavalry and infan-
try, ordnance and Runnery.
To go through West Point requires cour-
age. perseverance and determin alton. and
those lacking these qualities should not
think Of entering there. But while the
course OF study requires close application.
the discipline is strict and no drinking,
smoking or frolcking is allowed, there is q
plenty of legitimate recreation and amuse-
ment permitted. There Is a frst-class
library at the post, furnished with all the
standard books and magazines; and in camp
during the summer there is a reading tent
supplied with all the popular periodicals
and papers.
The chaplain holds services twice every
Sabbath, the Episcopal form being used.
There Is also Young Mems Christian As
ISOLATION there composed of members Of the
corps.
When cadet has graduated he is we'll
equipped for LIES voyage. By education he
is fitted not only for q civil or military
career, but for association with the most
cultured; and the order aud discipline in
stilled into him there makes of him both
good soldier and good citizen.
Prof Mitchie, in an interesting article in
the journal Of the military service institu~
ton of March. 1891, advocates the plan of
thoroughly training a number Of young
men yearly at West Point in excess of those
required for the regular army, and return
ing them to the vocatiOns of civil life. He
says that "thsre would in this way be
planted at many centers through the ooun-
try a correct knowledge of military princi-
piles which would affect the national guard
of the different states and permeate the
militia" He adds: ''In time OF war these
men would be the military leaders OF the
nation, ard in time Of peace be found among
the most intelligent and patriotic OF its citi-
zens"
Having flushed his academic course the
cadet is promoted and given an appoint
ment in the regular army as second lieu
tenant in that branch of the service for
there may be q vacancy. II there is no
such vacancy at the time he may, at the
discretion OF the president, be commits
stoned as an additional second lieutenant,
with the usual pay and allowance of a Sec
ond lieutenant, until a vacancy occurs.
After that bis promotion is slow or rapid
according to circumstances and merit.
HARRY RoLLAE.