The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-28

the boundaries of wealth are clearly and painfully
drawn, and where the poor mans son, whatevel
may be his talent whatever may be his future use
fulness TO his country, is subjected constant NOR
tifcation and is daily made to feel that in contra
Distinction of the theory Of his Government, its
practice is 10 permit distinctions, for the sake of an
unwise parsimony, between the different classes Of
its citizens and their children
| The pay of the Cadets amounted Formerly 10
$2s 20 per month. A few years since il was re-
duced to S24. The Board recommended that it be
1 raised 10 what il formerly. They have exam
ined the expenditures of the Cadets, il being easy
| 10 do so under the admirable system which exists
in regard TO them; and they find that after they
have paid the two dollars per month which Is re-
CURED a contribution To fund for their equip
ment after graduation--a sound and wise proyi-
son-there does not remain sufficient for their de-
cent support. True, matters would be better with
them if the boarding were reduced and their pur-
chases at the store cost less but probable reduc
ton would suffice TO make their present pay equal
| to their necessary wants.
In connexion with this part of their report, the
Board of Visitors would reiterate the recommended
ton made by their predecessors in their report OF
June, lS4S, that the pay of the Superintendent be
made that of colonel of engineers. At this time
il is the pay due TO the rank of the officer in
mand- The present incumbent being captain
only his pay is less than that of his subordinates
| the professors and Commandant of Cadets. His
position the head of the institution, subjects him
to charges from which, upon other duty, he would
be exempt, and which, in the opinion Of the Board
| the pay of a captain is inadequate TO meet.
The Board have carefully examined the old and
| the new barracks for the Cadets. The first
utterly unfit for occupations and but half of the
| new barracks has been completed. II is unneces-
sary for the Board TO dwell upon the necessity Of
finishing the latter at the earliest day, for every
thing is being done, and well done, to this end
But they cannot refrain from expressing their salts
faction at the present escape of part and the pro-
spectve escape Of the entire corps, from quarters
which have for years been evidently in no condition
| for use.
| The new barracks, the Board are glad TO say, are
every thing that could be desired, the arrange
mcnts being in all respects perfect, and the ex-
ecution of the work itself being such as was to have
been expected from the intelligence that has direct
| ed and superintendent it.
| Immediately in front of the new barracks
| stands the old Mess house, unsightly edifce,
very i'll adapted to the purposes to which it is ap-
| piled. This, however, is to be removed, and a
new Mess house, in more eligible situation
erected in its stead. When this shall be DONE and
the present building torn down, along with the old
north and south barracks, and new riding and
drill house erected for all which appropriations
| have been made, in whole or in part, the accom-
modations of the Academy may be considered as
completed, for the first time in proper manner
| For more detailed account of the new barracks
and the objections to the old ones, the Board refer
| to the report of the Committee on Police which
| will be found in the appendix
As already mentioned in previous part of this
report the Board have been struck with the healthy
appearance generally of the Cadets. In connection
with this, they have carefully examined into the
| Hospital department of the institution. They
found every thing here in excellent order, and ap-
parently in very efficient hands. The change of
| the road in front of the Hospital buildings sug-
gested in the report of the Committee on Police,
will, when made, give privacy to the hospital
which 1t at present wants. There should also be
better supply of water, and hot and cold and
shower baths should be added to the establishment,
| If for no other reason than in reference to their
| character as curative agents. In the opinion of
| the Board, change in the mode of ventilating
| the building might also be made with advantage.
The alterations and additions here suggested
have reference to the improvement of the present
hospital; but the Board are of opinion, that new
building, on better general plan, with better
| tiation, in more quiet place. and with all proper
convenences connected with it, should be erected
| and they recommend the expediency Of doing this
to your consideration.
In what the Board have said of the health of the
Cadets, they have spoken from their personal in
tercourse with them, and from their appearance
during the examinations before them The subject
of health was one of such importance, however,
that the Board deemed it proper to make special
inquiries of the surgeon in regard thereto; and
they annex to their report the letter addressed by
him 10 the Chairman of the Committee on Police
to which they particularly invite your attention,
and the suggestions of which have the full concur
renee of the Board
They conhde in the medical suggestions which are
made by the surgeon, not only because they proceed
from high medical authority, but because they have,
on their face, the evidence Of their correctness.
| suggestion, however, which the surgeon makes.
! and which IL unconnected with medical
4 perience, has struck the Board well deserving
Of notice Ii is, that the Of the complaints
Of the Cadets should not be considered as commu-
ncations protected professional condolences, in
| those cases which show them 10 have been viola
tons of the erpress regulations of the Academy.
The Board refer particularly 20 the use of ardent
spirits and tobacco. IL IL Is the duty of officer,
other than the surgeon, 10 report the Cadet whom
Il he finds drinking q n smokinU- there IL no
why the surgeons duty should not be the same.
They appreciate the high and honorable feel
ing which controls the surgeon but there
cases where it may work great evil, and this is
OF them.
The Board could say much more on this subject
| but they content themselves with again commend
ing the communication Of the surgeon TO your
most favorable consideration. Ii strikes the Board
| as being replete with valuable suggestions.
II only remains for the Board TO call your atten-
ton 10 the fiscal affairs of the institution. These
included under the heads of, FIRST the Engineer
| Department; second, the Quartermaster's and,
| third, the Treasurer's.
LIST. The Engineer Department has charge of
the erection of the new barrac ks, for which the APP
| preparations by Congress, up 20 the LIST
july 1850, amounted to.............. Sl47 500 90
And the expenditures up 20 June lS49 .l02 $50 %
Leaving unexpended balance at the
| last date Oh .....................S 45ll9 70
There is yet required for the completion Of these
| barracks, together with the necessary ut-build-
| ings, according 10 the estimate Of the engineer
the further sum Of S4s 800 TO be supplied by an
appropriation by Congress. Partial appropriations
| have, in like manner, been made for the com
mencement of the Riding house, the Mess hail. the
barracks for the sappers and miners and hospital
for the soldiers stationed at the post, all Of them
| buildings which should be commenced and com
| pleted at the earliest day.
ID. The accounts Of the Quartermaster's Depart
ment exhibit the appropriations for the Academy
other than the pay Of the Cadets, and the disburse-
ments therefrom. These appropriations, with an
| unerpcnded balance in hand, amounted, for the fs.
cal year ending June both, Is49, 10 S34 ,029 o. Of
which there remains hand, at this time, the sum
| Of 1912 rs. The Board have examined the ex-
| penditures under this head, and believe them TO
have been wisely and prudenty made, and essen
tia to the interests and prosperity Of the Academy.
| 3D.. The accounts Of the Treasurer exhibit the
disbursement Of pay 10 the Cadets, and here the
/ system seems TO have been made eminently simple
| and efficient. The book Of cadet shows, AT a
| glance, the condition Of his account, and the OBJ
jccts Of his expenditure. during his entire term;
/ and tho examination 81 nourbcr Of tncsc books,
taken at random, satisfied the Board that the money
Of the Cadet was most carefully husbanded, and
none Of allowed TO be spent in idle extravagsnce