The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-25

training of the soldier; II Is, above
this and above all the forming OF char-
acter, the implanting of high stand
ard of duty and the melting of an am
bition for it's unremitting performance
IT develops an intelligent manliness,
which pursues the happiness OF always
doing ones best. The opportunity for
education there offered is open to all
classes. So far as the chances of Sc
curing q cadetship CO. all are born
free and equal. No one is interested to
increase or TO restrict the number of
admissions. Each congressional dis
trict Of the United States and each ter
ritory is entitled to have one pupil in
the academy. The president may ap-
point ten from the country at large,
and one from the District of Columbia.
Political influence seems to fail here of
the force it so often exercises over 9TH
Cr appointments. Sons of officers of
the army and navy frequently Cand
properly find favor with the president.
Members of congress, ambitious that
their nominees should do them lasting
credit, and glad to evade local pressure,
often leave their selection to competi-
tive tests among the graduates OF
schools of their districts. The appoint
ment is for life, the appointee will al
ways be in a conspicuous position, and
his career will be watched by the COM
munity from which he comes. 1t is a
case where a mistake in selection must
be avoided, if possible.
ENTRANCE TESTS.
Admission is based on only such at
tainments as are within the reach Of
all Any young man between the ages
of Il and %, who is able to pass an ex-
animation in reading. writing. arith-
metic, geography, American history
and English grammar, and who is OF
sound body and mind, is acceptable.
The purpose of the examination is not
so much to find out what a young man
knows or remembers of what he has
learned on these subjects, as it is to test
the degree to which his previous in
Struction has prepared him for the edu-
catlonal work on which he is about to
enter. The only motive for exclusion
is based ON the improbability of the
success of the candidate in his acad-
emlc course; that is, the only thing
considered is the chance of his being
able to maintain his position among
ms fellows and to repay the govern
ment for his cost by profiting from his
advantages.
Admission is followed by a proba-
tionary period of six months, when
those who have shown by their pro-
hciency that they have a good chance
of maintaining a fair standing in their
class are regularly installed, and enter
a n aHI
drill and training, and Of physical de-
Nelopment, lasting, with little intermis-
sion, for three and half years.
ONE-THIRD EXCLUDED.
Simple though the requirements for
admission are, fully one third of the
candidates are excluded for inadeuuate
preparation. Once admitted the COM
petition is sharp and severe, and in
nate medlocrity stands no chance
More than one-half of those who enter
the military academy fail to keep IN
with their classes, and many drop bv
the wayside because of Insufficient
preparation, or of a lack Of capacity.
N of the persistency and industry need
ed to meet the exactions of the very
severe course of study and training
Here, as elsewhere in life, equality"
means only the equality of opportunity
wealth, social standing, influence. and
IaNoritism can secure no advantage
The poor youth from a remote agricul-
lural region meets the son of the mil
llonalre OF the city on an absolutely
equal footing, and they have through
out the course the same privileges and
opportunities. There is a fair field and
no faVor and the best man wins by his
own unaided effort. Those who have
money are not allowed to use il, Each
candidate admitted is required to de-
post his private funds with the quar-
termaster and cOmmissary of the CORDS
10 be returned to him at the end OF the
course. His pay is $45 per month. OF
this 81 is retained for his final equip
nent as an officer after graduation, and
4 further saving is urged upon him to
pay his travelling expenses during va
cation. Each cadet keeps a pass or
check book, and is credited in it with
the amount of pay due him by law, and
IS charged with all articles procured by
aim from the store room. He is charged
with subsistence. clothing, bedding
textbooks, washing, gas, brooms,
NJ dictionary soap, printing, and such
other articles as are considered neces-
'ary for him to have. A strict SUPER
vision is kept over the account of each
,adet, in order that he may not expend
all OF the pay allowed him. More than
his he cannot spend, and he handles
no money; as matter Of fact he has
40 pockets.
SERIOUS BUSINESS.
Education at West Point is far more
serious businessman education in civil
ife. The four years hard work is in
.errupted only by vacation of two
months in the second year and two
months relief from study while in sum-
ner encampment during the other
years. Even during the camp period
military instruction and drill are rigor-
ously prosecuted. Thoroughness, rath-
ar than extension of attainments, is
he principle controlling education here.
TO learn few things and learn them
Aelt' Is the rule of the academy, and
Professor Niche sets this forth as a
good rule in the instruction of youth
generally. He says that normally no
,adet has more than two distinct
tudies per day in which he will have
o prepare himself for recitation, re-
Iuiring six hours of severe mental pre-
paration and two and one-half hours in
he recitation, to exhibit his efficiency
,hereon. OF the remainder OF the six
cen houns which constitute the Off
,ial day, three hours are allotted to
meals and recreation, and four and
Jne-half hours to drill, parade and
guard duty. He is allowed no cuts or
other Ike indulgence. A steady mace