The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-12-13

the title under which several !
articles have been appearing
weekly in one of the papers per-
mitted in this institution. But the
one which treated of West Point
proved of special interest to me. The
authors object seemed to be, decided [
attempt to make the cadets at the mil /
itary academy the laughing stock of
the country. For this reason Thought |
that brief descriptive article on this
subject, night prove interesting to my
hearers. especially as L am somewhat
familiar with the routine followed by
the cadets at the academy.
The United States Military Acad-
emy was founded by act of Congress in
1902, and is located on bluff along the
Hudson River, at West Point, n. Y.
From this bluff may be had magnif
icent view of the river and valley for
miles distant. While the ighlands,
with their gentle slope and frequent
divisions, form a massive and plctur-
esque background. Forts Clinton, Put
nam and Webb in the highlands, and
Fort Constitution across the river, are
but few of the places of historic in
terest in the immediate vicinity of the
academy.
1t was here that the brave, intelligent
and enterprising Benedict Arnold over
shadowed his early patriotism and dar
ing leadership by his disgraceful
treason.
In 1915 the first superintendent was
appointed, the students numbering
about fifty, and year or SO later the
annual board of visitors was provided
for. It was at this time that the acad-
emy became a military institution,
subject to the rules and articles of war.
The Board of Visitors are appointed
by the President, the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, and the
President of the Senate. The duties
of this board are very difficult, and
include a thorough inspection of all
the departments of the academy, ad-
ministrative as we'll as academic. The
curriculum includes eight departments
each in charge of professor, assistant
professor and a corps of instructors.
The instructors, which number about
sixty, with few exceptions are army
officers who have been relieved from
duty with their regiments, and detailed
for four years. service at the academy
At most colleges and universities
the student may select his studies, but
here the cadet has no choice. TIL.
government supplies him with first
class education, principally mathemat
ical and professional, pays him salar.
of fifty dollars per month, and in re
turn requires his services for at leas
six years after he graduates.
To enter the academy the applican
must be between seventeen and twent
years of age, five feet in height, il
good physical condition, and able t
pass a rigid examination in readinl
writing, spelling, arithmetic, grammar
history and geography. If successfr
in the preliminary examinations, tn
applicant becomes member of tn
fourth class. He is now Informed ths
there are two things in particular ths
are required Of him; that he be promI
in everything, and that he act as
gentleman. Failure to comply wit
these requests, means dismissal. Aftt
visit to the quartermaster's depar
ment, where he is measured for clOtl
ing, and receives his textbooks, equil
ment, and other supplies, he is assigne
to squad in the corps.
The studies which he has to mast
requires four years of hard work, AT
unless he devotes his whole time
them, he soon finds that he will be u
able to pass the examinations, whi'
are held twice a year. As rule, t
penalty for failing to pass these e
.aminations is dismissal from t.
academy.
The academic duties, which beg
early in September and lasts until JuI
include the following studies in
curriculum: Mathematics, histol
international and military law, eli