United States Military Academy West Point - Howitzer Yearbook (West Point, NY)

Page 24 text:

J N ON TO KlGhT or tmeax, c NOM TO LfcFT or T 1£A Department of Ordnance and Science of Gunnery PROFKSSOR I.ikiti:xant-0)I.on»:i. Colons L. 11. Kl'flOIJt8. Ordnance Department; Cndet I’.S. M.A., 1886-1800; appointed from New York; graduated Addi-tional Second Lieutenant, I.si Field Artillery, 1890; Second Lieutenant, 3d Field Artillery, isoi; First Lieutenant, Ordnance Department, 1893; Captain of Ordnance, 1899; Major of Ordnance, 1900; Professor of Ordnance and the Science of Gunnery, 1908. SKNIOK SSISTANT INSTRUCTOR Captain- Kiiwaiii I . O'Hkkx, Ordnance Department; class 91; graduated 7. INSTRl’CTORS Fikst Likitknant Xeo n. Rkiikoit, 2d Field Artillery; class 02; graduated 26. Fikst Likitexant Gk.orof. R. An in. 6th Field Artillery; class 04; graduated 17. 22

Page 23 text:

T seems somewhat in the nature of inconsistency to teach a cadet the Law after three years of buffeting against the rigorous restrictions that hem him in on every side, for if there he any truth in the statement that experience is the best teacher, he will he learned Ix'yond description. Perhaps the reason for this plan may be found in a belief on the part of the Right Honorable Tactical Department that “a little learning is a dangerous thing” and a wholesome fear of any knowledge among the proletariat concerning tile existence of inalienable rights of mankind. Rut such a fear would seem to he ungrounded, for in the profound philosophy of the Law the benefit of its wisdom seems to apply to all hut “army officers, women, criminals, and lunatics.” Although humor has never been regarded as a distinguishing characteristic of the exponents of Blackstone, our experiences in the section room have not been without their ridiculous side. The grinds that relate to the “sub-peona duces tecum” are legion and date from the time when the Cave Man first laid aside his big stick and began to use this more refined weapon for protection against his adversaries. Perhaps, also, history repeats itself in the translation of “habeas corpus” “that you have the corpse”—or the definition of an alibi as “the annual allowance of a grass widow.” Law is essentially a thing of beauty and a joy forever to the facile speckoid. It was said of no less a person than Macaulay that, had the original of “Paradise Lost” been really lost, he could have reproduced it verbatim from memory. Rut who can picture the honors that the future has in store for the erstwhile member of the first section who, when the Ship of State runs on a rock, can proudly take his post on the poop deck (if that he the correct nautical term) and smoothly sound oft our venerated Constitution in the identical form given it by our respected forefathers? Ami in this connection, just one suggestion made with due respect toward the dignity of the Law. If ever the time should come for the revision of that grand old document, the Constitution, we would suggest that it he embodied in verse. 'Pile present form is sadly defective in rhythm and the other aids that would make its commission to memory an easy task. A rearrangement along the general lines of “Curfew Shall Not King To-night” would lighten the labor of subsequent classes in this regard and earn their eternal gratitude. — 21 — JJP

Page 25 text:

f I ' THE- 1000-HOWITZER I IK first classman enters this department with a superficial knowledge of the mighty engines of war and a general hazy idea that the principal process in their manufacture consists in boring a hole through a block of steel or putting the steel about the bole. He emerges (supposedly) with the ability to construct everything from a squirt-gun to a Columbiad. Perhaps the average knowledge might not bear the test of exhaustive investigation but, cheer up a knowledge of the basic equations of gun construction will not find extensive application in drilling a detachment of the Nth foot and, besides, the few who eventually land in the Ordnance Department will probably have to begin at the bottom and learn it all over again after the approved method adopted by the twentieth century hero. In the text books of the Department (prepared especially for the use of cadets) one encounters again that ancient and honorable grind the sole gleam of humor which illuminates the dreamy tomes through which the cadet, wearily plods bis way. For it is solemnly set forth in the preface that, the principles elucidated in this little volume arc elementary in the extreme. That comforting assurance forms a prominent part of the apology for its existence that is prefixed to every assortment of knowledge prepared for the tender mind in text book form. One comes to expect that word of encouragement and would look upon its omission as marking the passing of the time-honored institution. Often as lie may be disillusioned, be will always believe once more. However, if the principles embodied in those yard-long equations be so markedly elementary, gratitude is due the kind Providence that spares the long-suffering cadet a complete discussion of the subject. But time brings many, many things to pass. It is even conceivable that we may, in the course of time, cease to regard with suspicion the results of our computations on the slide rule and accept the testimony of that oracle to the effect that ii x 4 without satisfying ourselves in the old-fashioned way. And if such a contingency can be regarded as within the range of possibility we may, with reasonable security, cherish a hope of eventually reaching the end of that big red book. Graduation leave will probably eradicate, in toto, the results of the course from our respective systems and we will proceed to our allotted stations with no more than an occasional fleeting recollection of our frantic struggles with symbols of tbe craft. 23 —