Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-25

.bot will furnish them abundant oppor-
t,,nitv for study without being subjected
40 the vicissitudes Of ordinary military
service. Men are now serving in TINS
way I'm companies of which their brothers
are commissioned officers, and sons Oh
colonies are serving in the ranks at the
regimental headquarters.
The extent 10 which this abuse Is being
carried will be inferred from the rae
that Of the nineteen enlisted men pro
NOTED 10 the grade OF second hettehah'
since February 1st nine OF them o.
nearly one half of the entire number
are sons and brothers Of officers OF tn'
army. II is true these young me-
passed the required examination, Dul W.
fact must not be overlooked that they
were selected for examination mainly be
cause of their relation to officers OF
the army. after having been extended
special privileges for preparation, ana
that they were examined by boards oil
officers naturally preJudiced IN theH
favor. IL is because OF this na8Idhl
favorltism and shameful nepotism I'M
posed upou a Secretary OF war new 10
the. business and unacquainted with the
methods resorted TO by "Coburgers' 10
inauence the action OF the department
tbot the entire class Of sixty-seven men
tbat emerged from West Point last
month had TO be assigned as additional
second lieutenants, at an expense 10 the
Treasury for salary alone OF Fo'VW Per
onnum. at least one third OF Whlch j.
fairly chargeable 10 the abuse com
planned OF.
on January 1st there were thirty-one
additional" second lieutenants borne on
the army register, waiting promotloh 10
the full grade. and several OF these ar
still waiting, yet the Secretary Oh N@i
unwittingly. no doubt, approved the
recommendation for the promotion OF
nineteen enlisted men, Of whom one hail
were sons and brothers OF army ohiceIs.
and i'm the face of the fact that sixty
eeven cadets who had completed the iuil
four years course OF training at West
point would be turned over TO him Tor
ASSIGNMENT within three months. Con
FINANCE of this abuse Is likely 10 result
I'm the revival of the law which pre-
,,ailed nrlor TO 1856, and which directed
tbat Graduates from the Military Acad-
CIV for whom there should be no
vacancies I'm the grade Of second lieuten-
ant AT the time Of graduation, should be
discharged from the military service.
Anong rersons not well informed upon
or,nv matters. the belief prevails that
rs officers have not equal opportunities
with other citizens TO secure appoint
ments for their sons TO the two natona
academies at West Point and Annapolis
because OF their enforcement from
political affairs. This was true some
wears ago. and was given recognition
bv the President in selecting candidates
"at large" for appointment TO the ma
.ta,oi academies. 1t is no longer true.
however. although the president adheres
80 tbe rnIe of selecting for appointments
eat large" only sons OF oihcefs OF inc
,r,,,,, ana navy. There are no more ac-
tive and persistent lobbyists ana Work
ors Cor appolntments and promotion
thor military and naval officers. and,
- Cor as the Military Academy is con-
ao-nod the records show that in pro-
s,o,.,ion "a their numbers army officers
- more largely represented at that
,rs,,,,,tion than any other class Of citl-
Tbere are numerous Instances
- errny officers have had two sons
1'i',coted AT the Military Academy. APP
..at,tod from different districts, regard
-, ~ the fact that the law impera-
.t,,a,,, reouires that the candidate shall
hona-fide resident OF the district
60, which appointed. and IL is quite
..,,or for army and navy officers 10
bove a son at each Of the academies at
tbe same time. Not long since two boys,
sons Of army officers, were at the Mill
go. Academy from Philadelphia districts.
,ot,ber OF whom was legally enti-
ia "a appointment. and one Of whom
,o,,ar had his foot in the district TO
which he was credited, and to which his
father was as great stranger. Such
cases are by no means uncommon.