The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-07-17

The annual report Of the board Of visitors to
the West Point Military Academy. was made
on the Goth Of June to the Secretary of War
Alter some preliminary observations on the gen.
eral usefulness of the institution, it suggests
several plans for increasing the external com
fort and for improving the discipline and gov
ernnent of the pupils. Complaints are made
against the construction aud arrangements of
the barrack-rooms for their accommodations
80 lar from reasonable and proper facilities for
study beng provided in the quarters now used
they are actual obstacles thrown in the way of
the student, of whom the severest exercise OF
his intellect is required. The rooms are narrow
IN their dimensions, badly ventilated, scarcely
admitting OF any free circulation of air, and in
other respects injurious to the health Of their
occupants. The superintendent of the Acade-
my IS about to submit plans to the Secretary of
War'whlch IT is supposed will remedy these
defects.
The attention Of the government is called to
the proPnety Of organizing more efficient ar,
illery force in the army. The size of the ar.
my Is SO dlspfoportioned to the extent of the
territory To be protected, that the artillery regi
ments sre often called away by public exicen.
cies 'front.' their appropriate duties 10 the assis
lance Of the infantry and Dragons. The for
t'hcstions on the coast are drained Of men ant
arms by the constant demand made by the for
ces on the frontiers. On this account il il
thought that the means Of instruction in IN,
artillery service provided by the Academ,
should he as ample as the nature Of the ;ustitu
ton admits. The artillery service require
constant experience on the part of the soldier
and large theoretical information on the part o
the officer.
The instructor Of the artillery department i
translated from the regular line of the army I,
his station at the academy. This position i
not desirable TO an officer of the line because
precludes him from the staff appointments whiel
are generally attended BY increased rank an,
e'nolumcnt. A regular and permanent profes
sorship instituted in this branch of military ar
is suggested as a remedy for the difficulties @
the present organization. In England an,
France, where great pains are taken to improv
the artillery, In addition to the instruction give
At the West Point Academy, a practiea, eours
is pursued for two years, in which every thin
relating to the preparation and application Q
the materials Of war and to the use Of all kin
of ordnance and military machines is taus ht.-
The object Of il is to render both officers an
soldiers perfectly familiar with all the dutie
they are called upon to perform in actual ser
vice.
J The report speaks in terms Of praise Of III
proficiency Of the cadets in their numerou
studies. OF the ability aud zeal Of the supcrin
tendent. and Of the eminent requirements an,
persevering industry Of the instructors Of th
various departments. On the subject Of study
Il Is recommended that ampler means for th
Prosecution Of Geology and Mineralogy be pro
lv'ded. There is no class Of men to whom thes,
sciences are more imrortsn, or who have bel,