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

pace I'D and down a certain part of the yard ac-
coutred and armed the same as regular IN
fantryman on sentry duty, and II the gray walis
were transparent they would disclose TO view
also some who must suffer for their misconduct
by being confined 70 their rooms. The strlctest
discipline, the severe course and the high stand
ard required are the causes for depicting the
ranks of the cadet corps, and 1t is estimated
that about 60 per cent of those who are fully
accepted as cadets drop out before the four
years term is completed
THE GRADUATES OUTFIT
Those who remain and are graduated receive a
cash capital OF S192 to start with. Out of the
$40 a year which is placed to the credit of
every cadet 81 is taken every month and kept
for him, and at the end OF his term at West
Point he receives it In a lump sum. The pur-
pose Of the arrangement IS to place the young
officer out of need and to enable him to buy his
officers outfit. The 500 year which cadet
receives from the Government never reaches
him in the shape of money. His account is SIM
ply credited with the amount. and against this
charges are made for his clothing, books board,
laundry and all incidental expenses. and the
great problem is how to keep out or debt 10
buy anything with money of his own is an i'm
possibility because a cadet is kept penniless,
and one Of the regulations prescribes that no
cadet shall apply for or receive money or any
other supplies from his parents or from any
person WhOmsOever without permission or the
superintendent. But the questions then arise,
where does he get his cigars and his tobacco;
how does he do his entertaining. etc? one or
the rules prescribes that cadet is prohibited
from using tobacco in any form, also that no
cadet shall have provisions in his quarters. or
cook prepare food in the barracks or IN
camp or give entertainment there or else
where and no cadet shall be allowed TO keep a
waiter, a horse or a dog. While the law pre-
scribes what articles Of clothing a cadet may
have there seems to be regulation as TO the
quantity and although only eight pairs of white
trousers are issued 10 a new man the NUMBER
frequently grows by gift and Inheritance and
ii is nothing unusual for an upper class man 10
possess forty or fifty pairs of white duck
trousers. Then 1t becomes the duty of the OH
GERS to hold him down as to laundry.
The Thrill and fourth years in the academy are
equally severe; but the men who have outllVed
the hardships Of the preceding terms are likely
to survive and are finally graduated and their
names sent to the War Department, with the
recommendation. of the Academic Board for COM
mission in the Army. During the whole course
the cadet is compelled to attend religious ser
vices every Sunday at the chapel and the move
ment 10 establish a Catholic chapel In the reser-
walton has caus ii much comment In view Of
the opposition the scheme may be abandoned
In connection with this it has been urged that
the Secretary Of War had no authority to give
rermission to erect the chapel and that Congress
alone had authority to grant germssion FOL
putting up a permanent building On the reserVa'
ton
one of the institutions Of West Point is tbs
Officers Club. which is known to the cadet only
by name II stands a short distance beyond the
limits" and to enter it, even II the cadet had ar
invitation 10 do so. would mean Immediate dis
charge But after the cadet has been graduated
and returns &c West Point as an officer the doors
are Hospitality opened for him. and the men VINO
were his instructors for years ana VINO were
senarated from him by iron rules fraternize viii
the Young officer. who never more than then APP
preciates the value Of the place which he ha:
earned by application to his work at West Point