The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-22
DIARY OF A PLEBEIAN.
EXPERIENCES OF A CANDIDATE
ron WEST POINT.


10 Which New Corners Are Sub
jected by the Older Cadets.
From the San Francisco Chronicle.
My principal having failed to pass the
February entrance examination for West
Point the Secretary of War directed me,
as alternate, to report June 10 at the mill
tary academy-either to follow in the
footsteps of my predecessor or to don the
uniform of a cadet.
| In compliance with instructions l re-
ported to the adjutant, After registering
my name. age, place of birth, etc, an or
derby conducted me to room in the bar
racks used for the reception of candidates
by the cadet officers who had been detail
ed for that purpose. l knocked at the
door.
Come in!' yelled the senior officer in
charge.
catering, I advanced to within few
few feet of where he was sitting with his
feet cooked up on table, and asked
whether he was the person to whom
candidates report.
"Person! Don't call me person! You
are respectfully informed that you are
addressing Lieut.. Carlos Gerald, Corps OF
Cadets. United States Military Academy.
| am here by direction of the President
of the United States to receive candidates.
What is your name, sir?'
Hammond ! answered.
IN speaking to your superior officers al
WAYS say. Mr.. Hammond, sir What's
your name, sr?"
''Mr. Hamomnd, sill"
Where are you from, Mr. Hammond
Boston"
Boston, SIR! If you please"
Boston, sir" l repeated.
The Hub Ell? Where is Boston?'
Not comprehending the meaning of his
question, / hesitated. He asked again:
where is Boston, Mr.. Hammond"
Il don't know what you mean, sir.
Il mean exactly what said! Where Is
Boston?"
Il can't answer your question, sir"
''Do you mean to tell me you don't know
where Boston is? Boston is the capital
of Massachusetts and Massachusetts, is In
the United States of America. Now do
you know where Boston tsp
Yes, SIR l replied.
do you think came from Boston, Mr.
Hammond? We'll, 1 did! Some pretty
good people come from the Hub. On what
street do you reside?'
YES SIR replied.
Commonwealth avenue, sir"
commonwealth avenue! My spoon lives
on Commonwealth avenue. DO you know
what spoon Is? A spoon is your best
girl. Are you acquainted with my
spoon? 4"
II don't know, sir. What's her manner"
Il didn't ask you to question me, Mr..
Hammond ! asked If you knew my
spoon?
How do you know you don't?'
Another candidate put in an appearance
and / was turned over to Corpl Benton, a
member of the third class, who, all during
this time, had been reading newspaper
upside down,
"Take Mr. Hammond to barrack No. Z,
left-hand area-room," ordered Lieut.. Ger
aid
Corp Benton ushered me into my new
apartments To the right as we entered
were two alcoves, and in each was an iron
bunk The hunks, table, washstand and
two chairs constituted the furniture 9TH
erwlse the room was bare. l was instruct
ed in the military art of standing at atten-
ton when anybody with authority enter
ed. The corporal went out and slammed
the door after him. had scarcely got COM
fortably seated in a chair when, with
knock, the door flew open and he stepped
in.
Don't take all day getting on your feet,
sir" said he. "Be quick about it,lilSe this"
getting up from a chair and standing at
attention as only West Point cadet
knows how.
TRY again, sir"
After several attempts under the imme-
date supervision of my instructor, he left
the room, saying:
''When you hear the command, Can
didates, turn out promptly fall in ranks
| in front of the barracks with tho other
candidates and be quick about II! Under
stand, sir?"
yes, sir" answered.
l had not waited long before the com
mand Candidates, turn out promptly
was given. The candidates rushed down
the iron flights of stairs. and almost broke
their necks trying 20 get first into line, The
smiles on the faces of the cadet officers
showed that their orders had been obeyed.
The day after my arrival, as i was re-
| turning 10 my room from the hospital, ar
| ter having successfully passed by physical
examination, l nearly bumped into cadet
who had purposely stepped right In front
OF me.
what do you mean by walking all
over me, slr?" asked he In eontemptu-
Gus sort Of a manner. Showing his face
up 10 mine so that the tips Of our noses
almost touched, he sad.
Take your eyes off me sir Don't look
at me IN that tone Of voice@'
He passed, and ! had preceded only
| few stems when another cadet from one
| OF the barrack windows called out:
stop that grinningl What do you mean
by such levity. sir2 Wipe that smile Off
your face. Mr.. Candidate"
While strolling along the walk In front
OF the barracks. / Was accosied by two
cadets. The taller asked me II | was not
a candidate I replied IN the affirmative.
you look like beast Ga name ape
| piled 20 candidatea.
whats your name. sir?'
mir. Hammond, sir" l replied.
Look az my companion. Mr. Hammond,
ans tell me the color Of his hair"
A glance was sufficient 10 sec that Il
was a naring red but ! dld not tell him
80. IL would call it auburn, SIR said I.
Auburn DO --F' yelled the owner OF
tho aaring locks my hair is red, sirr'
During the progress Of our examinations
The commanding general 81 The army
made an official visit 90 West Point and
reviewed the battalion Of cadets Tho
candidates were excused from cxamiun-
lions during the afternoon % the review.
AFTER witnessing the exercises several %
ua adjourned 90 Humphrey room.
Humphrey WAS "a candidate from Ala
bama This Was his second trial Tor al.
mission 20 the academy. be having failed