The sun., 1894-12-16
WEST POINT.
shall the Present Nuuber OF Cadets Be
Ircrearedt


wAsHINGToN, Dec. 15.-Of the three methods
for augmenting the number of students at the
military academy. suggested In the report OF the
Board of Visitors just made public any one
might be adequate for it's purpose, and all COM
bined would be rather too much.
The proposed comforting upon Senators Of the
privilege of nominating cadets would add
ninety. The proposed authorizing of the Presi-
dent to nominate ten at large annually would
add thirty more, Dince now he can nominate
only ten in four years. The authorized number
Of cadets, apart from the extra students from
foreign countries allowed by Congress to enter 1t
at their own expense, is 37l. The two meas
ures Just mentioned would increase 1t nearly
one-thrd. Finally It is suggested that two alter
mates instead Of one should be allowed at each
nomination.
This last 10 q good recommendation in any
case. because 1t IL desirable that the full number
already authorized should be appointed. and
should also pass the examinations. The allow
ance of two alternates instead of one would In
crease the chances of filling the vacancies sea-
sonably; but as to the other two proposals. the
first point for consideration is whether more
graduates are now needed, or are likely to be
needed. One argument In favor of increasing
the number OF cadets Is that the establishment.
even with its present buildings would hold
more. and that few more detailed officers would
be required as instructors with larger classes.
Tho military and academic STAFF consists OF
about sixty-three persons. But II the question
OF cost Is to come in, 1t must be remembered
that the pay Of each additional cadet would be
S540 per year. and then there would be other
costs of annual maintenance.
There might be an advantage in having an
extra number Of officers educated. though pass
ing into civil life through not being needed to
fill vacancies In the army, since they could be
called upon for service In time of great war.
But, or course these would be the least meri-
torious. so far as rank in studies is a criterion
and the organized militia OF the various States
with the Thousands OF young men taught the
rudiments of tactics by army officers at colleges
might help 70 supply ,, such wants: . ,,
ing the number OF cadets is that 1t might re-
duce the chances Of promoting from the ranks
In filling vacancies among the Second Lieu
tenants. Experience shows that the present
each year for the shoulder straps All all the
vacancies. Ii follows that the enlisted men
Unless M shoaS Be- IN proSdd ss.
certain number Of the latter should not be COM
missioned 1t is hardly wise to do anything to
diminish the prizes thus offered to the enlisted
men, which are known to have secured many
very excellent recruits bent on working their
posais Of the Board OF visitors 81 might be Carried
zaton Of the army under. Mr.. Lannon'S plan
or some other which should materially increase
the number Of officers. His project would mako
q net addition of 140 officers TO the army.
Other: would not add as many. In such a case
Of cadets would be clear since It Ii obvious that
the education acquired In four years at the
Military Academy must be more complete and
thorough than that which an enlisted man 10
at his disposal In the two or three years of
preparation prior TO being examined.
IL may be suggested that IL would bo advts-
able to Increase the number OF cadets before the
reorganization scheme Is enacted, since IL will
take four years for class having the increased
number TO graduate. But on'the other hand Il
should be noted that the classes are now grow
ing through existing causes. Whenever tho
House or Representatives increases In numbers,
. corresponding increase Is made among the
census of 500 added twenty four TO the House.
Again, II the system OF appointing two alter
mates instead OF one should prevail, that ought
TO increase the number Of cadets. An illus
tration on this head, which was given
recalling. In certain year 1855 vacancies
existed at the academy. In seventeen dis
tricts no appointments were made and In
nine others the appointees did not come Tor ex-
Again, only "a alternates had been appointed,
and only 80 appeared for these vacancies, and
OF these but passed the examinations. The re-
suit was 97 cadets gained. IT, therefore, Con-
should be provided for increasing the number
Of cadets through the appointment of more al
ternates, large addition could be expected TO
the present number OF annual graduates.
Should 1t be feared that these steps would not
be sufficient, under reorganization scheme,
that law itself might provide for doubling or
still further increasing the number OF cadets
appointed at large.