The monthly cost of the mess per cadet is about twenty dollars. The Treasurer charges against the cadet not only the cost of his board, but also his laundry, his uniforms, his clothing, his room equipment, mattress, pillows, sheets, towels, and all other necessary articles. Moreover, the salaries of the policemen who clean the halls of the barracks, the bootblacks, the cost of the cadet hops, athletics, and text-books, in fact, the cadet’s entire maintenance is charged against his pay. The Government, however, provides for the up-keep of the buildings, the heating, lighting, and repairs, from separate appropriations.
The fourth member of the military staff is the Surgeon, who with his four assistants, medical officers of the Army, watch over the health of the command. Under his charge is the hospital for cadets, and that for enlisted men.
The Surgeon has authority to excuse an officer or cadet from any duty whatsoever on account of illness. In the eyes of the cadets he stands as the guardian of the Gates of Paradise. When the body is fatigued, or one’s head is choked up and eyes running from a bad cold, illnesses that in reality do not incapacitate one for duty, to have a nice sympathetic Dr. St. Peter jingle his keys and take you into the hospital for a brief rest is like the first whiff of a jasmine scented spring. The cadets soon learn to estimate the sympathetic qualities of a new Surgeon, and quickly pass around the word whether there has commenced the reign of an adamantine or tender Æsculapius.
The officers and cadets are required to undergo an annual physical examination, of which accurate records are kept. In case of illness, the nature is noted on special cards and filed with his record in Washington. The health, therefore, of officers, cadets, and enlisted men is constantly under the Surgeon’s eyes, so that really serious illnesses are rare. In case of persistent or long illness, the officer or cadet may be granted a sick leave upon the Surgeon’s recommendation.
The conduct of the business methods and military departments of the Military Academy, by the Superintendent and his staff, is annually inspected by the Inspector-General of the Army, who comes on from Washington for the purpose, or by officers recommended by him acting under specific instructions from the War Department. In addition to the above inspection, a Board of Visitors annually visits the institution. Formerly, the President appointed to this Board distinguished citizens from all parts of the country, who arrived at West Point the first of June and remained until graduation, about ten days later. They were shown the workings of the school, and had explained to them the necessities for changes and improvements, whereupon they made to the President a written report containing comments and recommendations that seemed desirable. The Board performed its duties well, but Congress thought that all information, upon which appropriations are based, should be more direct. A law was passed therefore decreeing that:
The Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy shall consist of five members of the Committee on Military Affairs of the Senate, and seven members of the Committee on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the respective chairmen thereof, who shall annually visit the said Military Academy, together or separately as the said committee may elect, during the session of Congress; ... It shall be the duty of the Board of Visitors to inquire into the actual state of the discipline, instruction, police administration, fiscal affairs, and other concerns of the Academy.
With the passing of the visits in June of the former Board, some of the picturesqueness and flavor of the social life of June week has gone. At this season of the year the beautiful natural scenery of West Point formed a superb setting for the thrilling artillery drills, the cavalry charges, the infantry manœuvres, the bridge building, the concerts, the dances arranged in their honor. The cadets were at their best for they had just completed their spring training and there were no recruits in ranks to spoil the smoothness and precision of these manœuvres. It therefore seemed the best time for an Inspection Board to view and report upon the work.
Accompanying the Board of Visitors were always the wives and daughters of the members, who added to the social charm of the Board’s visit. The cadets privately referred to the young ladies attached to the Board as “splinters.” I remember, upon entrance, hearing one cadet ask another if he would “drag a splinter” for him. I later found out that this expression meant that he would be pleased if his comrade would escort one of the young ladies to a dance. The present Board usually pays its visit in mid-winter when the cadets are busiest with their studies, so that the equally charming Congressional “splinters” have little chance to win young hearts.
In the work of the institution the Superintendent is aided by a large number of subordinates. The number of officers and others in prominent positions on duty at the Academy is shown in the following list:
| Superintendent and staff | 5 |
| Professors, permanent | 7 |
| Professors, by detail from Army | 4 |
| Professors, Associate, detailed | 2 |
| Professors, Assistant, detailed | 12 |
| Commandant of Cadets and Tactical officers | 15 |
| Master of the Sword, Instructor of Military Gymnastics and Physical Culture | 1 |
| Instructors and other officers | 68 |
| Medical Corps | 4 |
| Medical Corps, Instructors in Military Hygiene (August 28 to October 10) | 4 |
| Chaplain | 1 |
| Librarian | 1 |
| Civilian Instructors of Languages | 3 |
| Civilian Instructors of Fencing and Military Gymnastics | 3 |
| Teacher of Music | 1 |
| Organist and Choirmaster | 1 |
| Pay Clerk | 1 |
| Total | 135 |