The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-07-16

10 theie respec tive wants, and be placed
upon perfect equality both as regards rank
and remuneration. ......
In the examination hall, and daily in the
the field, the Visiters had ample evidence
of the skill aud dexterity of the Cadets in
Infantry tactics. Equal attainments were
manifest in drawing; aud in this depart
rnent, which is fully provided with every
requisites il is worthy Of observation, that
on making the comparison, the class of
each year surpasses that by which 1t was
preceded.
II any one subject taught at this institu-
ton deserves superior attention, that pre-
sminence the Visiters conceive should be
bestowed upon the Department OF Artillery.
The value Of instruction in this department
results not only from the intrinsic import
aace of this arm of the public defence, but
from the PECULIARLY of the knowledge
which it requires-a knowledge not TO be
else where very readily attained. Under
these impressions, the Visters are bound
TO state, that this branch OF instruction,
though conducted with great yea and tai
ent by Lieut.. KInsley. laboUrs under great
disadvantages. In the first place, the ap
preparation for the erection OF buildings,
&c. although not exhausted from The great
economy observed in its expenditure, is
nevertheless inadequate. Secondly, more
time should be bestowed upon the manage
ment Of great guns, the preparation OF am
munition, and the study Of pyrotechny gen
orally. Lastly, merit in this department
should be more highly estimated, in de
termning the relative standing Of the Ca
dets, since those studies will always bsthe
...ozt l., nurenoI m HE "a rink 10 cou.
ferred by proficiency.
Having thus, Sir, disposed of the sub
iects which are taught in the Academy, OF
the manner in which instruction on those
subjects is impaired, & oftho requirements
of the Cadets, the Visiters will next call
your attention to the general concerns oi
the Institution. And here the Visitors with
great pleasure remark that the police and
discipline which prevail in the establish
mpnt are admirable in themselves, and are
faithfully and impartislIy administered.
But the officers TO whom are confided such
important trusts as police and discipline,
labor under dfliculty which the Visiters
would earnestly represent cannot be too
speedily and cfieclually removed. The
evil alluded to arises in this manner; TO en-.
force the regulations of the Academy, To
keen the Cadet in all thirgs,a and at all times
To his duties, is task which admits Of no
relaxation, is never agreeable, and IRE
qucntly becomes odious. tits not to be sup
posed therefore, that Of wi. either
seek such employ = IN = long
er than they are obligt !. here be
something to compcn'a,H 'f.h lUr the irk
someness of their s.,io; So far is this
irom being the case, however, that,an off
Ger, whose days and nights are devoted to
the unpleasant duties which have been
mentioned; duties, it is almost needless to
say, affecting not only tho prosperity, but
the very existence of the Academy is net
nally in worse condition than If he we're
at his post, since his chance for promotion
Ia staff appointments is less. And IT must,
too, be borne in mind, that those officers
who are selected for the duties Of which
we are speaking, are precisely those whose
merits would lead to the promotion men
tioued. Compulsory service, consequent
", on the one hand, and what is worse, frc
quent changes on the other, are unavolda |
bic and constitute the most serious evil &C.
which the Academy is at any timo sub !
iected. The mischief may be, in part, i |
no, fully, remedied by more liberal, and !
it IS believed,by n jus,er construction ofthc |
law. gra..ing officers of accompanies, whcth |
er Captains or Leutenan,s extra pay tol
extra services Than this nothing can BE-
more proper, and we'll aware OF its weight,
the Vvsters cannot too strong
ly urge it upon your early and most favor
able attention.
The management Of the Academy, rs il |
regards the diet of the Cadets, their sur
,>c, IL. a.
escaped the attention of tho Visitors. A
these subjects have been enqurod into, aut
were found, in every respect, we'll rcgulat
cd.
The last topic to Which The Eisiter,
would call your attention IL the wants al
the Institution. A large number might be
easily enumerated, but the Board wei
knowing that sound economy should ever
characterize wise administration, will
mention but two-a house to preserve the
health of the Cadets, and building for the
worship of God.
With regard to the first il is well known
TO all who have attended to such inquiry.
that severe mental labor, without CORES
corporeal exercise, will undermine
The strongest constitution. The cause OF
this need not be here investigated. The
fac, is notorious, and has been observed in
This place, as we'll as elsewherc.-Truc il
Is. that many of the Cadets do not die, the
mortality being a. low rs tho one sixth of
Dne per cent But il is believed that some
after leaving the school, have ultimately
fallen victims to the sodentaty habits which
have unayoidably been acquired at this es
tabishmcnt. A calamity, moreos er, Of this
kind, il must be remembered, is much more
likely to befall those who are the most en-.
ulous of distinction. With regard to all
the Cadets, however, it NAV be nverred.
that they are constantly tasked to the ut
most. in tho way of mental exertiou, while