The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-01-04

self. This is the foundation of the system
of education. all the other work being, gem
orally speaking, an elaboration in detail
of this principle contributing to the desired
end.
VIEWS Of WEST POINT.
Another admirable feature employed Is
the system of honor among the cadets and
officers. The officers and cadets are placed
on their honor to live up to the require
ments of the institution. and not to disre-
gard the rules or abuse the privileges ac-
corded them. For instance. the officer Of
the day, at inspection each morning, which
is a very rigorous one by the way. is in
honor bound to report everything out of
place or not up to muster. no matter where
discovered, or how trifling the breach.
when a cadet obtains the privilege Of
leaving his division for any purpose he re-
ports on his return to the officer In COM
mand. '.ali right meaning that he has
not disregarded any of the rules or taken
undue advantage of the privilege during his
| absence.
Il was not subjected to any hazing when
/ entered. Indeed, the rules are so strict
and so vigorously applied there now that
hazing in its more violent and offensive
forms has entirely disappeared. OF course,
in a community where 500 men are gathered
together from all corners of the country
there are always to be found a few whose
conception of the proprieties is not up to
the standard. and 1t is so at West Point.
There are still minor forms of hazing
practiced upon the plebes. such as 'bracing'
that is, compelling a cadet to stand erect
with shoulders braced. While it is painful
to stand thus for a considerable time, 1t is
a m practice, and is really beneficial
to the victim In the end, as 1t gives him a
tendency to acquire an erect carriage.
DISCUSSES HAZING.
when a new man enters West Point he
10 knoun nc n snlahas and Ia ASSIGNED In
the fourth class. 1t is then he first be-
gins to learn what work really is. Lots of
men who have been graduated from col
ieges have entered West Point firm in the
belief that they had completed their studies
and that nothing remained for them but to
acquire a knowledge of military tactics to
become eligible for a commission.
ut only takes a few short weeks to disa-
buse their minds of this idea. There is
nothing but ~work-hard, persistent work
in store for the cadet throughout the entire
course. at the end of which time, II he Is
Of the material of which successful COM
manders are made. he realizes that his ed
ucation for a military career has but just
begun.
The upper-class men do not recognize
the fourth-class men at all. Even the third
class man is ignored until he passes his
final examination, when he is recognized
and received into full companionship. This
ignoring of the plebe, however. does not
imply that he Is not treated with all the
courtesy due him.. He is accorded all the
consideration due a gentleman until he for
feits his right to the title. The SON of the
poor mechanic or small farmer Is on an
equal footing with the son of the most
prominent statesman or financier. There
are now at West Point six cadets whose
fathers hold high positions in the army.
yet they fare no better nor worse at the
hands of officers, instructors and class
m fnu than fhoSn Of hrrnhlar nrfptn- o.
The plebe, however, has little time to
waste in g~rieving over his ostracism by the
upper-class men. The academic course of
study Is very exacting in the first year. and
his military duties take up all the time he
can spare from his studies.
In the summer he is in the encamp-
ment on the hill. under the %strictest camp
regulations. There Is guard duty. outpost
duty. detail, marching. drill and tactical
work, and in the winter he is in the bar
are three divisions of study-tactical. mod
ern languages and mathematics: The in
strMetors are professors OF the highest
directed to training the cadets mind into
an analytical bent, so that he can COM
p isast Outside ide assistance or expIanation.
II found the course very fascinating, al
though the work is constant, unremitting,
hard and monotonous. The upper-class men
and the instructors are generous in aiding
the new man, and the cadet who fails OF
+; resigns sSs e In d,smsy that hs !n make PkesP eSe s IS ,aekahs
military man, and his departure is unre-
GREETED.
and the examinations SO rigorous that 1t Is
accounted no disgrace to fail to pass the
examina ton. Promotion to the higher
classes Is sometimes made by reviews of
the cadets work, where it shows a general
proficiency in the studies.
class, aThs em ssastss English snsns uP Rre by the and f0e Gerl
man. the higher algebra and geometry. The |
work in the third class is the hardest Of the
onometry, comic sections and calculus.
chosen from t their f own frank, ranks. No officers Ger
seants, Sergeant Majors. Adjutants. etc.
Captain from the senior class.
the successful cadet is eligible to take ex-
animation for a commission in the regular
army. in any branch Of the service he
PREFERRED ENLISTMENT.
II rather liked the experience at West
Point. and would have remained during the |
course had I not believed that l could Sc
cure more favorable results b. enlisting.
1T would have required at least four
year, ,. taeF re,o wniie mere G;T only two years Is
animation for a commission.
II hope and believe that in these two
S SHss q q. / r" viii Be Fully sisop pyep ano ci eo take aps
the examination. In order to leave West
signed because of fear Of failure to pass
the examinations, I waited unit I had
passed the examination before rendering
resignation.
81 am perfectly contented in my new
situation. Ny duties are perhaps less
moment to an enlisted man who has set
himself q mark to reach which will require
every moment OF his time, !
: eff I should be fortunate enoupn to mass /
the examination for q commission at: the
end OF two years, while my former. class
mates are still pursuing their studies at |
West Point, I believe I will elect the cay
airy branch OF the, service"