The Utah County Democrat. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1898-1909, 1898-09-03
pLEsEs AT WEST POINT.
Embryo Warriors Are Made TO Anus.
the yesriings at the Academy.

Embryo Warriors Are Made TO Amu,e
the yesriings at the Academy.
IL the new fourth classmen. or
"plebs," rs they are most frequently
called, who entered the military aca-
deny at West Point short time ago,
think that on account Of the war with
Spain they will not be hazed.
their hopes are bound TO be
rudely shattered. For weeks the
yearlings have been preparing a
warm reception for them. wer
or no war; the time-honored custom OF
double stepping and choo-chooing
"plebs" will be faithfully observed. A
cavalry recruit might just as .well hope
TO escape blanket tossing as the new
'plebe" to miss the setting up exer-
cises, which Grant, Sherman and Sher-
idan tried In vain to dodge. The "plebe"
who has successfully passed the en-
trance examinations first reports to the
adjutant, and, after registering, Is sent
to the assembly room, where cadet off,
GERS are on hand to give him a warm
reception. "Knockv is the advice Civ
en- by the tired looking orderly who
showed him the way. and the new re-
cruit is left to his own thoughts. The
response to his tlmid tap is like the
roar OF the reveille gun. Come int"
echoes from basement to roof. The tone
Is like the lions roar. 1t strikes ter
ror deep down in the heart OF the new
soldier, who instlnctively recoils, and
Hrot u,tah -
home. The door opens with a dozen
cadets who regard him with absolute
indifference. Nobody questions the
new arrival, and he is forced to intro
duce himself. 1t is then only his trou-
bles begin. He finds that In address
Ing or answering upper classmen he
must invariably use the word sir" He
also discovers that all questions, how
ever senseless or ridiculous, must be
answered. Here are a few samples:
Where are you from, Mr.. Dumbjohn
Chicago Say SIR, Chicago, sir"
'How do you know you are from Chi
cago, Mr.. Dumbjohn7" II don't know,
sir" well, you are stupid product,
Mr.. Dumbjohn. Do you know any
thingT Yes, sir" What do you
know, sir?" II is usually at this point
that Mr.. Dumbjohn willis and admits
he knows nothing. Then a corporal
takes the new arrival in charge and his
lot thenceforward for at least year is
not happy one. In camp the "plebe'
gue-d is usually tackled by ghosts on
dark, stormy nights and tossed into
Fort Clinton's moat. The new fourth
classmen are drilled continuously
Whether walking through the company
streets, or "off duty on the plains, the
"plebe" must be always at attention
In his tent work will be found for hin
by the ''yearlings." Cleaning guns
making lemonade and doing genera
police work leaves little time for home
sickness. Sitting on a bayonet OF
chewing the side of cot or double
stepping by the hour are some of thu
things "plebe" must do to amuse up
per classmen. A new amusement wa
invented last summer by ''ysarling'
who has since been discharged. II,
named 1t the Sammy" race. Tw,
"plebes" are blindfolded, and each 4
furnished with jug of molasses ant
spoon. The command Feed" is thel
given and one 'plebe' tries to feed tn
other with the molasses. BY the tim
half the stuff is exhausted nearly al
the wasps and hornets in camp ar
settled on the "plebes' uniforms
drinking in the surplus sugar deposite,
there. The recruits are then released
: and no time is lost in trying to dol
the sweetened blouses. He Is a for
tunate "plebe" who manages to escap
; from this exercise without at least
half dozen wasp stings. When
"plebe" Is ordered to laugh he usual
"fins out" palms OF his hands to tn
front, and. with his back against tree
smiles pleasantly for an hour. Thi
is regarded as great amusement by tn
upper classmen. Fistic combats ma
, now be looked for between the "plebes
and "yearlings. New York Press.