The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-24

first building to be enlarged would be
the barracks, by completing the quad
rangle and adding eight divisions. These
divisions would accommodate thirty-two
cadets each. 80 that the enlarged build
ing would be sufficiently large to hold
$40 cadets properly accommodated. Pro-
vision would also have to be made for
the tactical officers who now have quar-
tiers in the cadet barracks.
The mess hall would also have to be
enlarged by giving to the cadets the part
which has been set apart for the Off
GERS mess. and then the plan suggested
by Col Mills in his annual report, which
speaks Of a building for bachelor off,
GERS mess. would be- carried out.
The cadet hospital would also be too
small for the greater West Point, and
the original plan, which included an addi-
tional wing. might be carried out
The present riding hall, which is 70 feet
long and 65 feet wide, is too small and
this would be one of the first buildings
to receive attention. In order to accom-
modate the enlarged class the building
should be about 300 feet long and no less
than 100 feet wide. 1t would have to be
erected in a new place. and the present
building could be probably converted
into stables.
There is stationed at West Point a
unique arm OF Uncle Sans uniformed
These are mechanics and laborers who
enlist for service at the reservation and
do the work which ordinary workmen
would do, but they are under military
discipline. This detachment OF 125 men
would have to be increased to 150
With these improvements, and the gar
rison of regular troops Increased by the
addition of fifty artillerymen and horses,
West Point would, according to the ideas
of those officers who should know, be
worthy of the name which 1t bears. the
greatest of all military schools. Col.
Mills thinks that the pay of the cadets
should also be Increased. In his report
to the secretary of war he said on the
subject:
pay OF cadets, and to recommend that they
be placed upon the same pay footing as
their brother cadets of the naval academy.
The pay of the army cadet is $40 per an
mum: that of the naval cadet is $500 per
annum and a daily ration commuted at
35 cents. a difference of s69.5O per annum
in favor Of the latter. The pay of the
support at the aeademy and hs
as an officer when he graduates and enters
the army. 1t is Inadequate for these pur-
poses, without other assistance, and the
small increase recommended would be a
great relief to many cadets who find them
selves often embarrassed during their ca
detship and for some time after entering
the army. out OF MS pay the army cadet
pays for his food, clothing. laundry, cost
of policing ,the barracks, bath. shoe black
ing, vanishing, gas, his social amuse-
ments, athletic games, literary society.
textbooks (many of which, being purely
technical. are costly), drawing Instruments
Costing $23.05-more than one-haif months
pay, his expenses to and from home on
the furlough granted at the end of two
years, and, in fact. for everything Incl
dental to his maintenance at the academy
except the actual heating of the buildings
he occupies. and his tuition"
From the time the young man enters the
institution as an ununiformed pIebe until
the day when he has passed the examina-
ton and dares to cross the line which rises
mountain high although unseen, between
the cadet and the officer. the government
has the cadets financial affairs IN sight.
and 81 OF his allowance is laid aside every
month as an equipment fund to provide his