West Pointers Inflict a "Silence"

1910

WEST POINT, N.Y. — To the average man who doesn't rub up much with army officers the West Point "silence," which has been inflicted on Capt. Rufus E. Longan, instructor in tactics here, is a good deal of a mystery. Most people understand that a "silence" is a refusal of the cadets to talk in the presence of the offending instructor or official, but that is about as far as their information goes.

A "silence" is a well organized protest on the part of the students of the military academy against some act of one in authority. It may even be an expression of general dislike, as seems to be the case in the ignoring of Captain Longan, who had only recently been assigned from the Eleventh Infantry to do duty at the academy. How it originated no one knows, but it has been practiced at the military school for many years, and in several cases has been effective in causing the removal of officers who have ceased to be useful because of their general unpopularity.

The "silence" is most effective in the mess hall, and it is here that it is almost invariably "sprung." While discipline is relaxed at mess, nevertheless the etiquette is strict. A cadet captain, by virtue of his corps rank, is superintendent of the mess. At the head of each table sits a number of the first class — the graduating class. Every private of the first class is an assistant of the mess hall under the cadet captain, and the tables take their cue from his conduct at all times. Tables do not ply knife and fork until the first class man gives silent permission. When it is agreed to inflict "silence" on an officer, no one looks at him as he appears in the mess hall. The first class men at the head of the tables fold their arms and look straight ahead. The second, third and fourth class men imitate the attitude. There is absolute silence, not a sound or a movement being made to break the stillness.

The extreme penalty provided by law for this degree of insubordination is dismissal from the academy. Extreme measures, however, are resorted to only in unusual cases.

Girl's Dainty Figure in Split Skirt Draws Attention

Beacon, New York, 1913

SPLIT SKIRT UPSETS SCHOOL AT BEACON

Beacon, Nov. 21 — On Wednesday morning Miss Anna McCabe, a pupil in the eighth grade of the South Avenue School, Beacon, arrived at school with one of the latest model slit skirts and was the object of the envy of all the girls of the class, while the attention of the boy members of the class was also concentrated on her dainty figure. Miss Weller, the teacher, curious to know the point of interest in Miss McCabe's direction, inspected her section of the room and observed a generous display of hosiery caused by an indiscreet slit in the garment of Miss McCabe. Immediately the student was informed that her presence in the room after school was essential.

Then the scholars began to stimulate the spirit of defiance in the classroom and before long the air was full of presumably sincere threats: "If she does anything to her, we'll all wear slit skirts tomorrow." This, of course, only applied to the girls. The boys said nothing.

That the students meant trouble was soon conveyed to Miss Weller, but a few remarks from her intimidated them to such an extent that — well, there were not any slit skirts visible in the classroom yesterday.

Miss McCabe was kept after school and asked to change her costume before returning. She said she would. The rebellious pupils filed from the room as meek as lambs, instead of with the fiery aspect which was evident upon the first intimation of the punishment of Miss McCabe.

—Orange County Times-Press, Middletown, New York, November 25, 1913, page 6.