New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-28

advent Of June with Joy. because 1t brings the
camp season and comparative rest. 1t is particu-
larlv welcome 10 the men who are just COM
pletinC their first year, who will emerge from
their plebdom into full-fedged cadetshlp' VINO
will throw off the calling yoke OF underlins' anu
will have new lot of plebs with whom 10 get
even for what they themselves have endured
And so, with every yearling standing IN wait
for him. the cadet enters camp for a season OF
about eleven weeks.
4 SEVERE ORDEAL.
If his heart is not broken by the upper CLASS
men while in camp. and If he passes the examlna-
ton which follows few months later. ne De-
comes a full-fedged cadet, with a prospect OF
being graduated from the school in four years
The camp trial is the most severe test, ana the
man who goes through the ordeal Of the peculiar
hazing TO which the pleb is subjected VINO can
control himself sufficiently 10 take 1t all In the
proper spirit, who can keep up with MS STUDIES
in the mean time and acquire sufficient rudimen-
tary knowledge Of military matters to satisfy his
instructors shows himself well qualihed Tor the
work which will follow and for the positions OF
trust and responsibility to which he may be
called later The defenders of the educational
system at West Point do the institution an njus-
tice when they deny the fact that there is hazing
there and that plebs subjected to severe
treatment at the hands of the upper class men,
"Of course there is such thing" was said by
one whose position gives him every opportunity
10 know and the man who has lived through II
will tell you that the hazing in camp and the lit
tie which was done in the barracks were among
the most valuable parts Of his West Point edu-
cation In order to be good dlsciplinaran one
must have felt the strong hand of discipline HIM
self and TO know the value OF superiority OF
Mace It is we'll 10 have been an inferior; and
these points are made plain TO the pleb lie Is
subjected to no ndgnity, he is compelled neither
% do nor 70 saw nor act anything which would
lessen him in his own esteem and the upper class
mon show that by the care which they take to
Mister the plebs never thinking or such thlhg
as using a nickname or the mans Christian
name"
i does not matter who the man is. whether he
10 tho son of a Senator a general diplomat. or
a blacksmith whether he comes from the Ola
J Colony or from the Bay State, whether rich or
noor he is a peb with the pebs and no power
can save him from making love TO broomstcK
IN the presence Of lot Of upper class men II 'hey
decide that he shall do so. no influence can gam
for him the privilege Of sitting In the presence
~ an upper class man unless that man asks MIN
70 do So and his ancestry, station or future pros
/ uacts would avail him little if he failed 10 sir
the upper class man properly and respectfully
The line between the pleb and the upper class
man is drawn so sharply and is so impossible
that the new men, although scattered among the
others naturally become interested in one an
other. although there are no occasions given Tor
social gatherings 1t is TO the advantage OF the
pleb to have the goodwill OF the upper class men,
and much is done to bring that about.
WHERE GOOD NATURE PAYS
Taking his hazing in good-natured manner
is the most effective means and being "B. j." or
| nrone to resent and combat the methods OF the
INNER class man. is the least advantageous No