The Washington herald., 1908-02-15

New York, Feb H-One hundred and
eight young officers. whom Uncle Sam
needs very badly to fill the present gaps
in the service, were graduated from West
Point to-day. three months before their
time. Secretary Taft took the night train
from Detroit on Thursday in order that
he might be present at the exercises TO
give his fatherly benedictlon and some
hearty advice to the fiedgling officers.
The premature graduation forced the
final gayety Of the commencement ball TO
be set for Thursday night, and to-day the
men who were to get their diplomas
turned out for the reception OF the Secre-
tary tired but happy.
Secretary Taft arrived on the express
from Detroit at lis o'clock. A detach-
ment Of the colored cavalry of the regu-
lar army stationed at the post. accom-
panied Col. Hugh L. Scott, superintendent
Of the school. down 70 the station as a
guard OF honor for the Secretary. As
Mr.. Taft. IN Col Scott's carriage, was
being driven up the steep road 10 the
parade grounds, a salute of thirteen guns.
the Secretary's due, was fired from artil-
lery on the eastern edge Of the grounds.
Gen. Bell There.
Gen. J. Franklin Bell, chief Of STAFF at
Washington. had already arrived and had
received a major generals salute Of
thirteen guns earlier in the day. The
Secretary and Gen Bell took luncheon at
Col Scott's house.
An hour before o'clock, the time ap-
pointed for the graduation ceremonies.
the New memorial hall. on the eastern
edge Of the cliff. began to I'll up with
mothers fathers. and sisters OF the
graduates. A few minutes before 3, all
bf the graduates. in trim dress uniforms
Of gray. and the underclassmen were
marshaled up at one end Of the parade
grounds and marched 10 the hall, the
Academy band leading right Justify.
There was not more than standing
room when the Secretary, heralded by
cheers, walked up the aisle and took his
place OF the platform. With Col Scott,
Commandant Robert Lee Howe, and the
teaching stan Of the Academy. there sat
tiA AttN E4sALtfA4A 4AA 1Di AHNftllalSr III EfldI
Of he digging Of the Panama Canal His
son was one Of those to receive diploma.
Secretary Makes Speech.
Col. Scott introduced Secretary Taft
briefly, after prayer had been offered
by the Academy chaplain. The Secretary
beamed at the rows OF graduates as he
took his place before the fag-draped
desk.
"AIl the duty Of speech-making has
been shifted to the shoulders Of the Sec
retary Of War" he said And think
the reason is that you know that he viii
be Drief. and that all OF the graduates
are anxious % get 10 New York 10 see
The Merry Widow
The Secretary's reference to the great
event Of the evening. IN which graduates
and their best girls were TO join in unison.
put him right with the boys. Mr.. Taft
continued 10 warn his hearers that The
Merry Widow is not as economical as
some persons might be. and good advice
would be not 10 stay too long in her COM
pany.
My text" continued the Secretary.
would he They Also Serve Who Only
stand and Wait I hope all Of you grad
AdAte ftElAlN l9lttI ElaIlQ the LfllltdLlbTls
Of the profession. The government has
paid for your education, and you are un-
der an implied engagement TO serve the
United States. And you must never for
get that always YOU are subservient and
obedient TO the civil laws. except in such
rare instances as that law is put aside
Always BE a Soldier.
"One Of the hard things that viii con-
front you is the inevitable Injustice that
may be done you in the matter OF pro-
motion. You may see other men promoted
over your head. and know no reason why
such things should be- You may hear
that these men have a pull with the
President or the Secretary Of War. But
the one thing that have admired since
have been Secretary is the fine way some
men have stuck 10 a captaincy, say, for
twenty years. and done their duties
there. while younger men have gone over
their heads. That is doing a soldier s
duty"
After he had finished speaking. the Sec
retary stood by the side Of Col. Scott
and handed out the diplomas to the
graduates as their names were read off.
Glen f. Edgerton. of Manhattan, Riley
County. Kans.. the honor man OF the
class was the first 10 step up.
It's worth something TO be honor man
of such a class, said Mr.. Taft as he
gave the young officer a hearty hand
shake. When George r. Goethals. son
of the Panama Canal chief, and one of
the ten highest men in the class, came
up for his diploma. Secretary Taft looked
as if he were going 10 pat the young
mans head
L don't think you'll have another canal
TO dig said he, but we will find some
thing else for you 10 do"
Ayres Loudly Cheered.
Each man as he received his diploma
was saluted by battery of hand clap
ping. but one received a bigger ovation
than any other. That was II Fairfax
Ayres. the young man whose father,
Lieut.. Col, Charles 6, Ayres, was re-
tired from the army last July because of
the trouble caused at the West Point
reservation following the gallantry of
some Of the cadets in shielding fair Wis