The evening times., 1900-06-09

The provision made by Congress for a
Iarge increase in the number Of appoint
ments of cadets to the Military and Naval
academies, has resulted already in the re-
eeipt of great numoer OF applications by
Senators and by the President
Hereafter the number OF annual appoint
ments to the Military and Naval acade-
mics will exceed any previous record in the
history Of those two institutions The
output of these schools will therefore be
considerably increased and the number Of
new officers added each year to the two
branches Of the service. greater than ever
before
Congress having given 10 the Senators for
the first time the right Of naming cadets TO
West Point this variety of patronage Is
likely to cause some trouble. and probably
before many years have passed Senators
Will regret the new conditions which have
imposed on them the necessity of selecting
young men for cadetships. Both laws are
at once effective ard the rush of appli-
cants for appointments will no doubt con-
tinue until all vacancies have been filed.
Over 200 such appointments viii be
made. of which Us are now available, and
OF these 10 belong to West Point and
about sixty to Annapolis No time has
been lost in preparing for the selection of
these young men. While the law does not
specifically state that Senators shall have
the privilege of nominating cadets to
West Point, this has been construed by the
Secretary of War to be its intent and ac-
eordingly, a circular letter will be mailed
20 each Senator requesting that he name
a principal and alternate for West Point
not later than July 10, and at the same
time notifying them that the entrance ex-
aminations will be held on July %, at West
Point
There are ninety Senator's and each will
be thus entitled to nominate a bOy-at-large
from his State, and two alternates to ap>
pear in the event of the principals falling
TO meet the entrance requirements. SEN
atOTs have been notified that all appoint
ments for vacancies not made by July 10
will be filed by the department. This very
action resulted some years ago in a pro-
vision by which the Secretary of the Navy
was prohibited from making cadet ap-
pOintments from districts where members
of Congress had failed to fill vacancies
through Indifference or neglect. the result
being to give the Secretary the privilege
Of appointing boys from any section of the
country and assigning them TO almost any
Congressional district.
West Point is large enough to meet the
increased quota. having quarters for at
least 500 cadets. The quota now allowed is
3S1 and with 10 additional there will still
be room left. OF the total strength now
authorized for the Military Academy Fifty
cadets Will be credited to the Pres dent, or
forty more than he has had since the pas
sage Of an act one year ago which pro-
vided for the appointment OF ten in addi-
tion 70 the ten which have been the Presi-
dents number since the foundation OF the
school
Considerable misunderstanding as TO the
number allowed the President has led to a
sF.--s- ~
White House, and perhaps 1000 or more
young men from every part Of the country
have applied for appointments. The twen-
" appointments allowed will be made y
1ae next few weeks. and while no definite
course has been decided upon. it is prob
able that most Of the places viii 90 TO SONS
and close relatives Of Army officers WhC
have distinguished themselves in the las
war. Army men as a rule have no legal
residence, and few can expect favors from
members Of Congress. Hence the Presi
dent has invariably adhered to the policy
of his predecessors in reserving places a
West Point and Annapolis for boys who's
family connections are closely Identified
with the Army or Navy.
Apart from these newly-created place!
at West Point, there are about twenty
Congressional vacancies which members o.
Congress may fill after the examination.
on the 18th inst September has been tht
with such a large new class viii ente'
the school this year it has been deemed
advisable TO hold the examinations earlie
SO that the cadets may have the advantag g,
OF the summer drill work and experiences
in camp.
No definite arrangements have yet beer
completed by the Navy Department TO
complying with the terms Of the Naval bill
by which the vacancies at Annapolis here
after will occur at the end OF the four in
stead of six-years' course. The effect o
the law is to provide Ill vacancies imme
diateIy. represented by the class now a
sea- which graduates finally in June next
and the class graduated at Annapolis to
day OF these two there are fifty member
afloat and sixty-one graduates OF the our
years course To add over lee cadets, how
ever. to the number just entered and in
cludfng vacancies existing Ordinaril
would more than tax the present accom-
modations Of the school. The Navigation
Bureau therefore has decided to ask 70
the appointment Os cadets to fill only thos
vacancies which are made by the class nov
at sea. numbering fifty. and IN a few day
Congressman viii be notified of vacancie
existing in their districts. Senators Wei
Iington and McComas will each be enti
tied to a eadetship at West Point, and tn
First and Third Congressional district
will be entitled to cadetships at the Nava
Academy The Fifth district has bee