Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-11-06
Requirements for Wee, Point.
MOUNTAIN GRoyr- v.

n.
To he Editor OF ne DisDdtca,
Please tell me what the requirements
are both mental aud physically for one TO
enter the United States Military Academy
at West Point. A Susscpraru
From the regulations Of the War De-
partment touching the matter referred to
we Gull the following;
Each congressional district aud Terrific.
ry--also the District Of Columbia--ls entl-
tied TO have one cadet at the academy
Ten are also appointed at large. The ap-
pointments Except those al largo are made
by the Secretary OF War at the request Of
the representative or delegate in Congress
from the district or Territory and the
person appointed must be an actual resi-
dent of the district or Territory from
which the appointment is made. The ap-
pointments al large are specially conferred
by the President of the United States
Applications can be made at any time. by
letter TO the Secretary of War, TO have the
name of the applicant placed upon the
register that II may be furnished TO the
proper representative or delegate when a
vacancy occurs. The application must
exhibit the full name, date of birth. and
permanent abode of the applicant, with
the number OF the congressional district
in which his residence is situated. The
representative or delegate in Congress NAV
nominate legally-qualifed second candi-
date, to be designated the alternate. The
alternate Will receive from the War De-
partment a letter of appointment, and
will be examined pita the regular appointee
and If duly qualified will be admitted to
the academy In the event of the failure of
the principal TO pass the prescribed pre-
hminary examinations. The alternate will
not be allowed to defer his reporting until
the result or the examination of the regu-
lar sppointee is known, but must report at
the time designated in his letter of ap-
pOintment. The alternate, like the nomi-
nee. should be designated as nearly one
year in advance OF date of admission as
possible.
QUALIFICATIoSs.-Thea age tor the admis-
sion of cadets to the academy is between
IL and ~ years. Candidates must be un-
married, at least feet in height, free from
any infectious or immoral disorder. and,
generally, from any deformity, disease, or
intrmity which may render them unfit for
military service. They must be well versed
In reading, in writing (includfng orthogra-
phy), in arithmetic, and have knowledge
of the elements OF English grammar, of
descriptive geography particularly of our
own country, and of the history of the
United States.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION. Every candi-
date is subjected to q rigid physical ex-
animation. and if there is found TO exist
in him any of the following causes of dis
qualification TO such degree as would
Immediately, or at no very distant period,
impair his efficiency heis rejected: /. Fee
bic constitution; unsound health from
whatever cause; indications of former
disease; glandular swellings or other
symptoms of scrofula. 2. Chronic cuta-
neous affections, especially of the scalp.
8. Severe injuries of the bones of the head
commissions. 4. Impaired vision, from
whatever cause, including color blindness;
inflammatory affections of the eyelids;
immobility or irregularity OF the iris
fstula lachrymalis, &c. b., DC. 8. Deafness;
copious discharge from the ears. 6. Loss
of many teeth. or the teeth generally IN
sound. Z. impeachment of speech. &. Want
of due capacity of the chest aud any
other indication of liability TO pulmo-
nic disease 9. Impaired or Inadequate
efficiency OF one or both of the superior
eXtremities on account of fractures. espe-
cially of the clavicle, contraction Of q
joint. deformity, &c. 10. An unusual ex-
curvature or incurvature of the spine.
ii. Hernia. IL. A varicose state of the
veins of the sorotum or spermatic cord
(when lsrge), hydrocele, hemorrhoids.
fstulas. Is. Impaired or inadequate efh-
cheney of one or both If the inferior ex-
tremities on account of varicose veins.
fractures. malformation (fat feet, &c.).
lameness, contraction. unequal length,
ounions. everything or supernumerary toes,
&C., DC. IA. Ulcers, or unsound cicatrices
of ulcers likely to break out atresh.