The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-12-13
west Points military Hcademy.

tricity, art and science of war, drill
regulations of all branches of the SER
vice, and many others which may be
mentioned later.
All recitations are held in the aca-
demic building, which is one Of the
finest school buildings in America.
Here the cadets who are all sturdy |
young fellows, recite their lessons from
memory. To give you an idea of the
methods used, let us take look at a |
class recitation on the art and science
of war.
The cadets have their textbooks
and receive lessons from the instruct
ors, but in order that the subject may
be thoroughly understood, the lessons
are reviewed by the instructor, who
takes particular pains to point out the
practical applications of the subject
under discussion. The result is all
open-minded discussion of the whole
question by both cadets and the in
structors whose views are helpful, as
they are officers of experience and
ability. Furthermore, certain time
is set aside for questioning the pro-
fessors, and 1 must say that, were they
inefficient, they would soon leave the
point, as the cadets always have an
unlimited amount of questions ready
for these occasions.
At each recitation or lecture there
are two repetitions, one of the lesson
just discussed, and the other of yester-
days lesson. By this means the in
structor is able to find out whether or
not his meaning has been grasped by
the cadet. There can be no doubt that
this method of instruction is satisfac-
tory, for it is we'll known that grad
uate of the military academy is COM
petent to take up most any line of
business which he might be called on
to enter. He may not be able to COM
pete with the Harvard or Yale grad
uate in Latin, Greek or some of the
other ancient languages, (altho he does
have an opportunity to become famil-
lar with Latin while attending the
recitations in law and history but he
is capable of holding his own, when ii
comes to anything in which the Eng.
+ lish language is used.
West Point is American, and while
+ there, the cadets are taught to read
write and speak the English language
, correctly. Were the cadet, after grad
! uation, dismissed from the service, hi
could find employment as an electri
clan, as an engineer or as a surveyor
+ without any trouble, as he has to mas
;. ter these subjects before he can grad
uate.
: On the other hand, the averag
y college man when applying for posi-
= tion may when asked what his qualif
It cations are) state that he has studie'
Latin and Greek for four years, ca
# translate these dead languages wei
" and solve problems in higher mathe
n matics, and in the end be very glad
- accept position as factory hand @
o laborer until something more pleasau
r is in sight.
III In military engineering and orc
le nance or gunnery, the cadets al
le instructed (under the direct supervi
at ion of an army oficer) by the enliste
at men of the Engineer Corps" who al
pit detailed there for that purpose. Th
a "Company of Engineers" have tn
th duty to perform in addition to the
er regular duties, such as guard, polio
t. and fatigue duty, and as result hay
h. but very little time to themselves, CO.
D. sequently the cadets do not have vel
ed pleasant time while receiving instru
tions in this department of the curri
ar ulum.
nd There is also squad of cavalry the
to to instruct the cadet in the art
n. horsemanship. These cavalrymen al
ch act as drivers during light artille
he drill. AS the cadets are not in 10
* with the enlisted men, it is amusil
he to watch the numerous tricks tn
play, or excuses they offer to esca
rim these drills, especially when buildi
No pontoon bridges, digging trenches,
its cleaning siege guns after target prs
~, tice.
eel The cadet is compelled to follow