The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-13
READY FOR COMMISSIONS.
West Point Life Practically Closes
for the Glass of 1900.


| for the Glass of 1900.
WEST POINT, June 1.-THE routine of
academy life is over for the graduating
class. 1t eaded when they marched up to
the officer in command at the close Of dress
| parade this evening and stood in line with
hats OF while their old schoolmates
marched by at present arms. And when
| the last Of the cadets. with the old IA
| miliar step. swung by the graduates fol-
lowed in squads and groups, laughing and
talking just as the other spectators did.
With the ceremonies attendant on the
arrival Of General Otis it was a spectacu-
lar event OF the day. 1t was the particular
wish OF the Secretary OF War that General
Otis be received with such distinguished
honors as would testify to the War De-
partment's and the army's appreciation
Of his splendid services in the Philippines.
All that West Point could do to carry out
Mr.. Roots desires in this respect was
done.
The greatest honor the post can give
an arriving or departing guest Is to es-
cort him from or to the dock with the full
corps OF cadets. II is very unusual
thing to do. but 1t was done in the case Of
General Otis today. The Secretary Of
War. Colonel Mills, and others went to
the steamboat landing. Colonel Mills and
Colonel Helm went on board and greeted
General Otis. Then they escorted him to
the dock. where he was welcomed by the
Secretary Of War and officers Of the post.
after which, with the cadets leading the
way, the line Of march was taken up.
Battery Knox broke loose with a salute
Of fourteen guns. General Otis had ridden
up in carriage with Secretary Root and
at the southwest corner OF the parade
ground they descended. going the rest Of
the distance to Colonel Mills. house on
foot
General Otis and Secretary Root will be
the guests Of Colonel Mills during their
stay here. Representative Grosvenor-
General Manderson. and a number Of 9TH |
ers Of the board of visitors were in the |
crowd Of spectators.
Within short time after General Otis
arrival another salute began and the re-
port flew about that General Miles had |
got here. although it was well known
that he was not expected until fully
O'Clock, but 1t was false report 1t was
Gen. j. NJ. Wilson. Chief of the Engineers,
who had arrived and who had come to be
present at the Memorial Hall dedication
and banquet.
1t was o'clock when the booming of
guns again announced that General Miles
had arrived. Colonel Mills. Commandant
Helm. and squadron of cavalry met him
at the dock and escorted him to Colonel |
Mills house, where General Otis, General |
Wilson. General Bates, General Brooke,
and General Chafee were waiting to re-
ceive him. After formalities had been ex-
changed General Miles and the other ON
GERS reviewed the cadets. 1t was Just
the regular official review.
Immediately after the review, when the
cadets had rested bit in front of the
barracks. they came again for the dress
parade, which. for the graduating class.
vas their formal mastering out as cadets, I
Ind practically their mastering in as sec
md lieutenants Of the Regular Army of
he United States. The presentation Of
he sheepskins tomorrow and the making
tut OF the commissions are only formali-
les. The anx'ously awaited announce
nent OF the respective standings of mem
'ers OF the class was made today.
The star FIVE OF the class mentioned
n the order Of their standing, are:
'lllsbury. OF Massachusetts,: Adams, Of
Lukesh. of Ohio; Rhett. Of
'outh Carolina, and Slattery, of Ohio.
he next five in the order OF their stand
ng are Lawson. Of Massachusetts,; Pope,
4 Kansas; Youngberd. Of MinnesotA (
hamilton, of Nevada, and Baer, Of Penn /
ylvania. The record made by Pfilsbury $
) something phenomenal. Not in years =
as graduate of West Point maintained =
D high standard Of scholarship combined =
nth general military excellence.
The event which has brought SO many Of
ne old graduates back to West Point this =
ear, and which will make the year 1900 =
memorable one in the annals Of the old =