New-York tribune., 1908-02-15

will have heartburnings. and you will as we'll
In spite OF all that you must live up to and do
remain second lieutenant for twenty years
you may rapidly be promoted 1t has been
inspiration to me in my administration Of the
war Department TO meet up with officers who
had served twenty-five years in captaincy, but
who were going about their work with all the
enthusiasm OF military ardor. no matter how
deeply they felt they had suffered. 1t real
pleasure to me to be able eventually to raise
them to the rank they deserved. Some Of you
may not get the promotions you desire but you
must remember that in the end Providence and
the Lord are good and that compensation surely
must come for duty done There is much in life
that IS higher than the happiness Of mere pro-
motion the tinsel of rank. Upon you the
sturdiness of the government depends. You
subordinate to the civil authorities, but when
danger comes you have the post OF honor and
the youthful opportunity that may bring you TO
the point where you will have the gratitude OF
your country for years after you have aid down
your successful lives
WARM RECEPTION FOR TAFT.
Secretary Taft constantly was interrupted by
applause. and both in entering and leaving the
memorial hall was cheered by the cadets. The
young soldiers We're called to receive their
diplomas in the order of class standing. The
honor of heading the list fell to Cadet Glen E.
Edgerton, of Manhattan. Riley County, Kan
Ar Taft congratulated him heartily his
cess. Cadet George R. Goethals. who stood
fourth in his class, is the son Of Colonel
Goethals OF the engineer corps Of the army, who
is now in command of the construction Of the
Panama Canal Colonel Goethals was present
when his son received the diploma.
I'VE may not have another Panama Canal for
you TO build" said the Secretary. 'but We will
try find something else that is useful"
The ten ranking cadets among the graduates
have their choice Of the five branches of the
military service, engineers. ordnance, artillery.
cavalry or infantry In addition to Edgerton
and Goethals the members of the first ten
Charles / Hall, of Princeton. n. J.: Virgil L.
Peterson, Of CampbelIsvilIe. KY; John ". N
Schulz Wheeling. ". Va: Clarence L Sturde-
want NeillsvilIe. Wis; Earl ]. Atkisson. Canton,
Ohio; Richard T. Coiner, Tacoma, Wash; Law
renee ". Mcintosh, Gardner, Mass, and Robert
S. A. Dougherty, San Francisco
Asked on his arrival If he cared to discuss the
political situation. Secretary Taft declared that
his trip to West Point in the line of official
duty. and politics was not to be considered in
connection with It. II want to have a good
look at the academy" said Secretary Taft. and
1 want rest
The deep snow covering the academy grounds
prevented the dress parade which had been
planned for Secretary Taft.
The graduates started for their homes this
afternoon on brief leave of absence, before
being assigned TO their places in the army.
Albany, Feb 14.-Secretary Taft accompanied
by Governor Guild of Massachusetts, passed
through Albany to-day their return from
Detroit, where they were the guests of the
Michigan Retail Lumber Dealers Association
Secretary Taft continued to West Point and
Governor Guild TO Boston. Secretary Taft
pressed himself as wei pleased with his West
ern trip.