New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-01
A CENTURY OF WEST POINT
WHAT THE NATIONAL SCHOOL FOR
TRAINING ARMY OFFICERS HAS
ACCOMPLISHED.

The centennial of the United States Military
Academy will be celebrated next week. and for
four DAYS the faculty cadets and friends Of the
institution will recall its proud history, cele-
brate the glorious deeds OF the men who were
boys there under the care of the government
and make merry and rejoice because OF the
dawn Of the greater West Point era The ceie-
br..fion might have taken place last March for
IT was one hundred years ago on March 10 thtI
the bin authorizing the establishment Of the NIL
itary Academy was passed by Congress. ms
bill gave the President authority to appoint d
faculty consisting of one major, two first lieu
tenauts and two second Heutenants. Inc
school started with ten cadets, of whom two
were graduated in 1902. These We're Joseph G.
Swift of Massachusetts and Simon NJ. Levy
Of MARYLAND The bill provided for additions to
the CORPS but il was also provided that the
corps should not exceed twenty officers ana
cadets Major Jonathan Williams was the
first superintendent, and associated with MN
were Captain William \. Barron and First Lleu-
tenants James Wilson and Alexander Macoihh-
The interest In the academy was not great
when the institution was in its infancy 'h'it
was no rush on the part of young men TO pc
come cadets and receive a military edu'at"h'
and in the first fifteen years Oh us eN'''N''o
only $50 were graduated.
eress authorized an increase in the number OF
ca5ats to fortv Further additions were author
ysd hut many of the boys who were appointed
could not enter because of the lack Of ac-
conan,odations Thu academy grew in poPu-
laritv and in 1915 thrty-nine men were gT"du-
at4d In 1872 the academy had reached a hEh
standard interest in its work had grown, and
forty cadets were graduated. Glasses Of seven
tv-seyen scventy-six and siXty-nino have been
graduated since that time, and Of the HOO men
nro have received their diplomas there, and
-ith them in most instances commissions IN tho
United States Army. many have written their
names in lasting characters on the pages OF
american history.
When Major Williams who was also known
as the builder Of Castle Williams, in the mar
Dor of New-York, retired as superintendent IN
1872 Colonel Joseph &. Swift succeeded him,
md two wears later the office went to Captain
Aldo, Partridge CAPTAIN Sylvanus Thayer
became superintendent in 1917. and held the
office until 1893 and il under his direction
and managemeat that the institution made its
first rapid strides. His work was thoroughly
appreciated and monument erected to his
memory on the academy grounds near the spot
where he lies buried. bears the inscription:
Colonel Thayer. Father of the Military
Academy.'
He was graduated at the academy in the
class Of 1905, but after he had reorganzed the
institution it bore no resemblance to the orig
fnaI and the course which he shaped has been
followed ever since his time. superintendent
Tbayer resigned in 1893 because of mis-
understanding between him and President Jack
son Five years after his resignation he was
asked to resume his place at the head of the