The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-08-26
RISING FROM THE RANKS.
The System Under which tho Private SOL
der May Obtain the Shoulder Straps.

WASHINGTON, Aug. c4.-The approaching
final examination at Fort Lcnvenworth OF tho
enlisted men who have already passed their pre-
liminary examinations before department
boards for a commission Is an event Of much In
terest. To begin with, the number of candi-
dates, eighteen. il unusually large. II not wholly
unprecedented. Sometimes hardly half as many
appear at the finals, and one year there were
only five. Exactly how many OF the present
eighteen will receive the shoulder straps re-
mains to be seen: but with the ordinary ratio Of
casualties there is a good chance for the ulti-
mate appointment to Second Lieutenancies Of
the greater part of them.
Another point worth notice Is that this year
one private is u candidate for final examination.
1t is true that he is not an average representa-
tive OF the army private, being a college grad
uate and a son Of the late Gen. Grover. formerly
Colonel OF the First Cavalry. his own name,
however, having been changed. in accordance
with the condition imposed by a wealthy rela-
tive, from Flint Grover to Grover Flint. or
course he enlisted with the full expectation OF
attaining his shoulder straps in the present
way. still, it is n novelty to have a private SOL
dier in the army made a commissioned officer
without the intermediate steps of wearing the
chevrons. Under the new law admitting pri-
Yates to examination, they were eligible TO COM
missions last year; but only non-commissioned
officers, IL memory serves, were then selected.
Private Flint, therefore, IL successful, will
make a new record in that respect.
1t has been suggested that "A sort OF corner"
Il made on the few vacancies open to enlisted
men by sons of army officers: and in support OF
that idea it is pointed. out that among the
present candidates., besides the son Of Gen.
iirovcr. there are Sergeant Oricy. son Of the
late Col. Oniey: sergeant MackIin, son 81 Capt.
J. T.. Macklin. Eleventh Infantry; Sergeant
Schenck. son Of Capt. schemes; Corporal Seton;
SIM nj l'anf II Aatnn EnlEth IL IA uI 10. 4 'nrnnral
Morrow, son Of the late Col. Mnrrow, and Cor
Ioral s%purgin, son OF Capt, WI +. S%pnrglni
that these young men ~ military parentage. on
enlistin9. secure favorable assignments TO cOm-
panics with friends. relatives, or acquaintances
SO that their risk OF roughing it with disagree
able surroundings during the two years OF their
probation IN the ranks u very much diminished.
t!un that II encourages the enlistment OF some
young men of the sort that are found Mt West
Point. One Of the objects Of opening commits
sions to- enlisted men. each year is TO raise thu
standard Of recruits. II may he said that. with
such results as the present, it would he a. well
to have more graduates from West Point. Sc
curing four years Ot training under skilled In
structors, instead OF such time as can lie devoted
to study in two years aparL from the ordinary
duties Of the enlisted man. But one difference
Is the introduction into the army OF some oni-
GERS each year who have been through life in
the ranks and can understand by experience the
needs and views Of enlisted men.
And. after all. IL there Il anything in Inherited
truitS for the military calling as for trades and
professions in civil life, II should be no draw
back to a lMl thar ic ~ the rnll al u brave AMI
accomplished officer. whore fitness for command
has been attested by twenty or perhaps forty
years Of service. Besides. can II fairly be said
that the sons Of army officers crowd out others
who ar" really competent The present list Or
candidates shows seven IONS Of army officers,
but that leaves eleven who ERE not, Again, two
years sgn, Sergeant +. A. MaCklin. who now
comes up again. Was one OF the only. two OF
eleven non commissioned Officers who failed in
the examinations. That result does not indicate
faNoritism in these examinations. The simple
truth seems 10 he that many capable lads, who
would GLADLY have zone IN Nest Point. Int for
one cause or another could not obtain a cadet
ship, being bent on q military career take this
honorable step OF enlistment In the ranks.
The new Law of 1892 was framed. in part, with
the express purpose OF avoiding favoritism and
appear before The boards. Under the old sys-
TEN "a man whom one Captain would recommend
for promotion might be considered by another,
whose standard was higher, as unit for IL; and
thus men actually superior To those who passed
and got their shoulder straps might have lacked
even the chance 10 try. Secretary Proctor elsO
pointed out another argument for changing the
law as II was when he wrote:
m sTas1rsi 10 ave " then h a% yslupS GIs' Sppd 1%r m Tsnea 10 yS eSm,
men who have enlisted for that Sole purpose, and who
qualify for the essminailon. thns excluding Iona nde
Of obtaining hard-eaTned and legitimate promotion,
The present system gives a great opportunity Tor Ia,
there Is danger that the abu~s may become serious
The new law is intended TO give to the men
themselves the initiatOry step for examination,
and % afford an even chance for a commission
10 all who can pass II. All unmarried soldiers
under 80 years OF age, VINO are cltlZeuS OF the
United States, ar physiCHlly sound, have served
hOnOTably not less than two years IN the army,
and have horne 4 good mora! character before
and after enlistment, may compete Tor o COM
mission. The examining boards take an oath Ia
discharge their duties honestly and lGlthfully,
and nlay call witnesses or take dispositions, The
line Officers Of the present L~eaNraWOrth Board
are Lieut.. Coils. John y. Andrews, Twenty-fitth
Infantry; Major Camille GO. Carr, Eighth Cav
airy. and Capt. JAMES FOrnanCe, Thirteenth In
fantry, together with surgeon Calvin Dc Witt
and Assistant surgeon i, NJ. Banister.
Whatever the number OF Cnmmis sions award
ed. each Of the men who pass the lRayenworth
examination will havra certificate Of eligibility.
showing the subjects in which he Is proficient.
The benefit Ot such a certificate ~ 10 he lost only
by a sentence OF court martial. and the holder
cannot b. brought before "a garrison ar regi-
mental court martial or = summary court. Not
more than Two examinations can b" accorded to
cOmpetitOr. aud vacancies in he grade Of Sec
pnd Lieutenant are hllrd in the order OF merit.
There can be no doubt that this system Ot pro-
noting from the ranks Is founded ON sound con-
sideratiuHs. II holds ont To The recruit the POSI-
bility ~ rising ia the very highest grade, and
not only encourages Intelligent youth o. enlist,
but furnishes an Incentive for good COnduCt.
The standard Of education Is nOt excessive. bat
ik insnnes that only sufficiently educated men