The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-03
TRAINED FOR SOLDIERS.
THE UNITED STATES MILITARY
ACADEMY AT WEST POINT.


renee of Csndidates-Llfe of the o.
det and Course OF Study Pursued.
West Point, the site OF the United
States Military Academy, is on the fright
hank of the Hudson river, about so miles
North Of New York city. The Academy is
IN plain 100 TO $50 feet above the river
and is surrounded by bold and beautiful
scenery Il was established IN 1902 for
t,-.v cadet artillerists and ten engineers.
zach congressional district and territory.
also he District Of Columbia, is now en- =
tilted to have one cadet at the academy
end ten appointments at large are specially
conferred by the President of the United
States. The education is free, each cadet
enracing TO serve eight years, four of
which are passed at the academy. The
eypeases of a candidate for board ,
lights, washing, etc., after he has
renyrted and prior to admission. is about
sl0 Immediately after being admitted he
,niIst lie provided with an outfit Of uniform.
the cost of which will be about $50, making
8 total of 500, which must be deposited
With the treasurer as soon as the candidate
arrives at the academy. In case of failure
10 pass the examination she amount for
outfit of uniform, is, Of course, re-
turned. The pay of cadet,
commencing with his admis-
sion. is $40 a year, and, with proper
economy, is quite sufficient for his support.
This money, however, is not paid to the ca
diets, but is turned over to the treasurer OF
the academy, to be by him disbursed On
their account. They are not allowed TO -sea
ceve money or supplies from their parents.
or any one. without special permission from
the superintendent. Fruits, confectionery
or edibles Of any kind cannot be received
att all. The table provision, however,
Is excellent and varied, being well prepared
and nicely served. The bedrooms are COM
fortably but plainly furnished, no orna-
mentation whatever being permitted
They are inspected daily by an officer, aud
towel carelessly laid on the washstaud,
or any lock Of neatness In the room is noted
and the offender demsrited for it. Every
sanitary precaution is taken for the health
of the cadets, but when one ia sick he is
carried to the hospital, a building most
attractive in appearance, and receives the
very best care that he possibly could any
where except under the parental roof.
Appointments TO the academy is secured
through the congressman of one's district,
but iS a conditional one. depending upon the
applicants success in passing his examina-
ton, for which purpose he has heretofore
been required to report at West Point at a
given date in June. At the last meeting of
the board of visitors, however, they recon-
mended. IN their report to the Secretary of
War, that the examination of candidates be
hereafter Leld at convenient points, to be
designated by him, not later than
March. This suggestion has been
carried out and will greatly benefit
hppointees for this year. The questions
are to be prepared by the academic board,
-, nokS ,,1l1r 4
si1utant general for transmission to the
officers appointed to conduct the examina-
ton. The alternate reports at the same
time as the principal. Appointments are
usually made year in advance Of examl-
nation. Besides being perfectly sound in
physique the applicant is required to be
proficient in the following studies: Geog-
raphy of the world, history Of the United
States, arithm stic, reading, writing and
photography. AS the 6ge of admission
is from II to 81 years, it would be sup
posed that, after proper preparation, it
would be comparatively easy for any young
man of average ability to perfect himself
In these studies, but the questions cover a
wide scope and are often those least ex-
pected, so that generally not more than
about two-thirds Of those who apply are
successful. Then, too, the applicant must
have nerve. If he gets ''rattled" he is lost
will give the experience Of a candidate
admitted in the last few years, which is
about that of each, aud whom we will call
Mr. Smith. Having arrived at West Point
end reported to the adjutant, he as ordered
to report to one of the senior cadets. and the
following conversation took place:
What is your name, sir!h
'Mr. Smith, sir"
where are you from, sirw
-, sir
Take your eyes off me. Put those
front. Drag in your chin. Make plenty OF
wrinkles. Head we'll back now, sir. Get
those toes out little more, sir. There now.
sir, see If you can stay that way. Hear,
sirl'
Yes, sir"
Who was your pred.l" predecessor.
BLANK, sir.h
What's that, sir; Mr.. Blank. Don't
make any more breaks like that"
Ho was then led up to bis room, bracing
himself as stiff as poker all the while,
deposited his valise on the floor, hung his
hat on peg in obedience to command. and
was then ordered to button up his coat,
Hraghten up more and face the center Of
the room.
Been boning (studying) hard for ex-
animation, sirs"
Think you'll get in, sir?"
really can't tell, sir"
Don't let me tell you about that head
again. Suck that stomach in. You want
10 Be good cadet. don't you, sir!"
Yes, sir"
Well, don't let me have to tell you any
tning twice. This is your room, sir. When
you hear the command, Candidates, turn
out promptly you get a move on you for
downstairs, with your GOAT buttoned, too.
dear me, sirF'
Yes, sir"
Bang! The door was shut and Mr.. Smith
vas left to his meditations. He was quite
tsd In the face from suppressed laughter,
!or he had enjoyed the fun he knew the
Salet was having as much as the cadet
ttiAseI But he was young, long way
rom home or any familiar face, and could
u9t oelp feeling little homesick, so il was
sFelet when he finally heard the command
~. Turn out" and found that he had
40 GO mpanlons In misery. The examina-
sUn lasted five days, and at the end of that
aus the candidates were called out to learn
.49H tate. First, list Of names was read
w. each man answering Here" as his
tsne was callod, and stepping three PAGES
~ me front. These were informed that they
s Sa1 oeen found disqualified and that they
. l's get their baggage ready and leave at
tVerIeln hour. Another list was called;
taes Use were alternates, and we're
~. that, although they had passe d
r raT e1a!nination successfully, t1eir princ-
taN mad alsC, and they too must, therefore,
'oaVe by q given time These cold formal