The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-18
nNRApIrIoN ana precedent ere

NTaRADITIoN and precedent are the
two divinities of the United States
i'll military academy at West Point.
The man who dares to do anything
orfginal--to make any innovation upon
time-honored custom-might as well COM
NIT suicide He will not be tolerated lie
Is more dangerous than an army OF an
archists, more terrible than the yellow
terror. One class in the academy In
herits the traditions of its predecessor,
and bequeaths them unchanged 10 its sue
cessor. and hence II comes that while the
world makes giant strides. the military
academy is the same yesterday. today and
forever. 1t is an occurrence exceedingly
rare for a cadet TO do anything contrary
to precedent. II he does he is made to
feel the displeasure OF the corps In an I'M
mistakable manner.
Such tradition Is that a 'plebe.'' as
members OF the fourth class are called is
never regarded on an equal footing with
an upper class man until he has complet-
ed his first year at the academy. He is
invariably addressed as Mr.. So-and-So. or
just plain mister. and must always adj
dress upper class men In the same formal
manner. and in addition he must be pro-
life In his use of the word sir" afiixing
1t to the end OF every sentence.
II . plebe Is asked by an upper class
man what his name Is he must reply. "Mr.
be. and II he fails to do so he is certain
TO be told to put a sir on that. mister"
in a way that will usually cause him to
remember 1t. OF course. a plebe soon learns
this. and there IL no longer any trouble
with him on that score.
1t has been the custom in the corps
from time immemorial to .devii'' plcbes
during their first encampment. A great
many OF the practices INDUCED in are per-
fectiy harmless, and so long as the upper
class men confine themselves to them
there is little or no opposition from the
authorities.
A piebe's first night ON guard is gener-
ally an unpleasant experience for him:
for. besides the official visit OF the vari-
Gus officers and noncommissioned officers
charged with his instruction. TO see that
he understands all the fine points of his
duty as sentinel ne Is sure to be visited
by legion OF spooks. hobgoblins and
various other unauthorized individuals.
An Incident OF this kinds related where
a yearling wrapped I'm sheet appeared
on the post of a piebe sentinel at night.
Halt" shouted the plebe, who Is there?"
'iAfoses and the ten commandments"
came the response.
The poor piebe thought there was some
thing irregular, but he remembered his
instructions about never allowing more
than one to advance at time at night.
so he promptly shouted
Advance. one commandment. to be rec
ognixed'
An amusing anecdote is related OF Gen.
Sherman. who. as commanding general OF
the army. visited West Point one June
for the graduation exercises. He accom-
panied the commandant on his Sunday
morning tour OF inspection OF barracks.
and on entering certain room he walked
over to the mantelpiece. STOPPING down,
he pried up brick from the middle OF
the hearth with his sword scabbard. and
revealed a hollow space about foot
square. in which was nicely packed a
considerable quantity Of tobacco and other
contraband articles. Meanwhile the ca
dets occupying the room stood mutely
watching and wondering what sort OF
man the general was to have been able
TO discover the only cellar" OF Its kind
in barracks Turning to the commandant.
the general remarked.
IT have been wondering II that hole was