The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-12
DIPLOMAS TO THE CADETS.
TIE GRADUATING CEREMONIES AT
YES POINT.

Acknowledgement IuEEiea Delivers the Diplo-
mas to the Grnduntes and Welcomes Them
Go the Arny-The New Cadet Omcers-A
Brilliant scene at the GraauntinE Hep.
WEST PoIST. Juno 1l.-All the military e1er-
cises connected with the annual Juno examine
tions having been completed, including the
graduating ceremonies. West Point tonight
presents as deserted an appearance as on a
dreary day IN midwinter. Tho graduate and
furlough classes OF cadets are gone. likewise the
Board Of Visitors. and last, but not least, the
handsome and fascinating girls who have haunt
cd the post for the past two weeks are not to DO
seen.
The weather this morning was as pleasant and
summerlike as could DO desired, which was
hailed with delight by the 5000 visitors, who
were early on the grounds to witness the gradu-
nting ceremonies Of the class OF 81. The exer-
cises were held under . canopy OF canvas in
front of the library building. In front Of the
speakers stand and encircled with ropes wcre
chairs sufficient to accommodate the corps OF
cadets and about 5000 guests who had been pro-
vided with tickets. Sergeants Fisher and AIDE
laide. from the battalion Of engineers, had n
difficult task in keeping the anxious crowd from
crawling under the ropes. Upon the platform,
besides the speakers. were the Board OF Visitors,
the Academic Board. and distinguished guests.
At 1880 o'clock the corps OF cadets formed
into line in front OF their barracks in full dress.
and. under command OF Lieut.. Mills, proceeded
TO the place designated for the holding OF the
graduating ceremonies. After a selection by the
Military Acade my Band the Rev. Herbert Ship
man offered prayer. Then followed more music
by the band. after which Col. Ernst introduced
the Hon. Hugh p. Belknap of Chicago. who
represents the Third Illinois district in Con-
Eress. and who delivered the address to the grad
uating class. Then followed more music by the
hand. after which Col. Ernst introduced Brig
Cen; George D. Rugsies. Acknowledged Of
plomas TO the graduates. In introducing Gen.
RugEles, Col. Ernst said:
eeiying. your diplomas frum such distinguished
Gen. Rugsles pretaoed the performance OF his
duties with some wholesome advice TO the grad
uates. He said
When the Government a few years ago present
ed you with appointments to the Military
Immediate Comrades. That you have improved
that opportunity is in evidence by your gradual
, your friends the GoRSernmen Il ADDS its eonsrstHt
~lations, and the Academy. within a few mo-
ments, shall send You forth with her benson.
to your corps and to your regiments. Hence
foTh the country shall give you opportunities.
As you shall Immediately recognize them. as
shall promptly act upon them. so shall you DO
tho State some service. so shall you lay
50 may You write your names in history. Now
the moment presses for %crowninG your AGA
earned in long and stern probation. and OF as
sisting you to change the gray for the blue"
Just before the diplomas were handed down,
Col. Ernst. addressing the class, said:
In the interest OF hospitality and OF inter
1 HsnSS 1ot eSST,ssy Who cal III, h 5ssn The a.d name Of w the
you throughout your course. Francisco Alcan-
The young Venezuelan has received his in
struction at the Academy under a joint resolu-
ZION Of Congress As he advanced to receive his
~ ~ .rAa $1,000 --s~h 49, 49, -
plause. Then. one by one. as their names were
called. according to their standing in general
received their diplomas from the hands Of Gen.
RuSsies- As each cadet stepped forward
s6eT corps Ess e1Mafsp eh the Ss names names t IT The ns more di 81
tinsuished members OF the class, among whom
IA. Mccos. and smither. We're called. the aP.
piause and yells were deafening. When the
name of Blake; who stood at the bottom of the
class, was called. the greeting was general
among the cadets and those seated on the plat
form
played the -StarSpangled Banner" and then
Chaplain shipman pronounced the benediction.
cadets then returned and formed into line in
front of the barracks, where Cadet Adjutant
Cheney read on the newly appointed cadet
csPtains q 4. ,. G, and D Companies, re,
Henry; itiutan,. Cadet Babcoct: Quarter.
master. Cade, Davis !: G; Lieutenants, Cadets
M Ssso.ti; 5 srafss.i and ass teSseGs s ksFssi :Rihos.
Cadet Woodruff: Qusrtermaster Sergeant,
Cadet Kelly: First Sergeants. Cadets Carter.
Jewel, Romeyn, and Hunt: Sergeants, Cadets
Kerr. =. B., Wesley, Mcclure. Trott. Oliver.
stqart, Major, Farron; BnndeI, G. s. simmonds'
z Fl. Humphrey. Markham, Putnam. Granger.
Peyton. and CoWan: Acting Sergeants, Brown,
Fiscus, Gowan. and Ingram.
The battalion was then dismissed and there
was . hurrying and skurrying among those
who were to leave the post to discard their gray
uniforms for civilian dress. After dinner the
graduate and fqriough class took an afternoon
boat for New York 10 witness the Gil from
Paris before starting for their hOnes-
The attendance at the graduating hop last
night was the largest that has been witnessed in
several years and il was a brilliant social event.
The two remaining classes, the new first and
third. will go into camp tomorrow morning for
the summer. The newly appointed candidates
for admission 10 West Point will report or
Monday for examination as to their fitness fol
q cAdetship. PostmasterGeneral Gary and the
party comprising the International Postal Con
gress arrived at West Point from Albany BY
1pectal train at a late hour this afternoon. A
Starin line steamer, the Glen Island. was In
waiting for them, and they Immediately go'
aboard and steamed down the river for New
York.
EIGHT MASTER sHIPRRIG HTS.