Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-02-06
REPoRr.
vIRsiSiA military Issrrrvrk.
January 10, 1886.

January 10. l5&6.
General wILuAx II. RIcuArpsos. Adjsfaaf Gsasrai.
Sis,-I have the honour herewith to communicate, for
the information OF the cxeeu, vc and legislature. the report
Of the semi annual examination Of the cadets Of this insi-
tuition. susngcd in the order of merit in their respective
classes, together with n complete list Of the admissions into
the institute since its commencement in le39.
Upon the resumption OF aesdemic duties this year. there
"a state aud 3pay cadets in connection with the inshtu,e.
making n total OF 10 state aud lSS pay cadets admitted
since 1889.
The requisition Of the act Of March 9th, is42. which
presenbes the duty OF teaching IN the schools Of the state
upon the state cadet graduates. has been carried on, ss far
a. practicable. Many are now zcalously. and Il Is beiev-
cd efficiently dischsrging this duty. The r~ecommenda-
ton OF governor Mcdowell IN his late message would. IT
sdop,ed by the legislature, give greater efficiency TO the
provisions OF tho Law. and remove the delay and uncertain
~ which now often exist in the assignment to schools.-
The visitors are fully determined Ia carry out in good faith
the intention OF the legislature. and to make the graduates
from this school missionaries 90 IL were. 10 carry the bless
Ings of education to the waste places OF the state.
The report of the tire ssuref, transmitted to tho auditor OF
public accounts rs required by law, exhibits the condition
OF the finances of the institute. Since this report Was
presented. the last instalment due Tor the erection ol the
new barracks has been raid, making q total Of $4,000 paid
III the last three years ttom the tuition fees OF the pay ca
diets tor permanent improvements, without involving the
charge OF one dollar upon the public treasury. The fund
derived from this source being now relieved from this bur.
then. II will be in the power OF the visitors to incrensc
sull further the number OF state cadets should no new nc
ces-iy present itself.
The Virginia military institute has now been in opera
ton nearly seven years. The increasing interest which u
has attracted shows how important a part OF the system OF
puelic instruction IL is regaIaed by the people OF the state.
The advantages resulting from it's establishment as respects
the economical policy OF the state seam to be sdmitsd by
all. IL We may Judge from the extent al the public favour
which II receives, its efficiency rs an educational inst-
tuuon il becoming more and more appreciated.
The introduction Of military discipline in collegiate in-
situations has excited spprehensions In the sninds ct some
which 1t riay be well here briefly To notice. They admit
that the control thus exercised uay be greater, but II Is
feared That order is enforced uuoer the stern Ssie OF mill
tary despotsm TO the exclusion al those moral influences
which DIRE deemed essential TO the proper 'rainiag oil the
young.
nsn... -. -. -. 49, j.. Il. n..s.
tro" a m'sconeeption OF the character OF the discipline thu.
introduced. Military. like other ins uiutous enjoin spee,ne
duties, and prohibit specific PRACTICES The military reRu-
ia'ions may be more IN detail; but the object IN all institu-
lions OF learning IL. by suitable rules To promote diligence
and good order. and TO prevent neglige nee and vice. The
orglniIaion OF a military school gives 4 r.stet certainty to
the detection of al individual who ,iOls & : its regulations.
II prcscnbes appropriate punishment for the slightest neglect
or Irregulariiy. and thus provides tor the numerous classes
Of offences which are overlooked from The want If proper
penalties IN Uther institutions. and in this way guards against
and actually prevents the frequent reference TO the ultimate
resort Of Hl-dISmissdi. By the bsstowInent al military
rank and regular classification IN studies. proper emulation
is excited; and thus. by presenting rewards To The iadu.ti-
Gus and punishment to the VICIOUS. an appeal is made to
the strongest feelings Of the human breast The theory IN
both classes OF institutions Is obedience. While the one
class presents suspension ar dismissal "a the alternative in
most cases, the military school inculcs ties this imp pttant
principle rs 4 habit. by never ovehOoxiu Z the most trihing
violation OF Its rules.
It is plain. therefore, that greater efficiency necessarily
exist in the discipline Of military schoOlt. Nor does this
d scipline necessarily supersede the use OF m,ral influence.
elementIn training the younr. II is because these institutions
are psrs VI the military seIyices-wero not designs j ior.re-
formation and d scipline in morale; while 1t may he thought,
that the military commission wh,ch the government awards
TO the graduate Is n sufficient : dmulnnt to good behaviour.
Tn re IS, however, no moral influence which may be
brought TO bear upon the youns. which may not be en-
ployed IN these institutions, and which are not actually
employed IN this. Military schools, IN fact, present
the only Instances IN which The conduct OF the stu
dent IL made To constitute n part of his general merif.-
A reference To the accompany ing merit roll will saew that
the standing OF each cadet combines his conduct With his
studies, and while he gets credit for hs scholarship, his
general merit is affected by hHE conduct. Thus an lmpor
tant moral influence is eIeIu'd, which teaches 4 young
man. that however gifted the overs OF his mind. success
in life depends upon diligence system and promPtness. as
well as mind; and that. where these are wanting. failure
is the iEeritable result.
But, alter al, that system OF cducstion is the best which
exercises the illlesi eORfTel q, er the pupil. Parents not
only wish the minds OF their 50 Is cultivated, but their mo-
rsls guarded, and their unrniy W lis restrained. They know
that the surest way for them 70 "iedTn 10 do p,l," u TO
cease 10 do eUil;" and il millrar institutions, by exercising
comple'c control over the eIPei ss oi the student. do in a
greater degree prevent extravss ,nce and dissipauon, aud
by giving full occupation 10 ever ! moment OF the time, put
a STOP 10 idleness, an important object in the dice plne o
the young 10 attained. For Ihs r religious education the
parent looks mott 81 mach to the system ms to the teacher
and upon his personal influence and example (Which may
be exercised alike ia oil lnsutauo ns) he relies.
! am, with greai res pect.
Your obsdi ent servant,
FIR ANClS ii. SMITH,
SaPt. Y. ". j.