The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-23
WESTERN MILITARY INSTITUTE.
BLUE LICK SpsINos, KY, June 81, 1880.


To his excellency, j. j. CBIrTESDxS:
Sin: The undersigned, vsiters appointed by your
cxcclency to attend the annual examination of the
cadets Of the Western Military Institute, under the
general superintendence Of Colonel Thornton F.
Johnson. commencing on the 18th and ending on
the 2ist instant, have performed the duty igned
them; and have the honor, respectfully, to submit
the following brefreport of their labor and observa
ton:
Since the removal of the Institute from George
town to Blue Lick Springs, one hundred and sixty
seven cadets representing seventeen States and one
Territory, have matriculated, Of whom seventeen
arc absent on leave, thirteen have been honoraby
discharged, seven have been dismissed, and one
hundred and thirty three were in attendance at the
close Of the session.
The undersigned attended the examination and
exercises of the sections and classes they
brought before their appropriate Professor the Fac
ulty and spectators, in whose presence they were
thoroughly and elaborately examined in their
course Of academic studies and ii is with ordi
nary degree of pleasure the Board bear testimony
to the promp. aud correct answers given by the
Cadets to the questions propounded by the Faculty
and others present thus afordng the best evidence
that they are well and thoroughly taught in their
respective departments
The text books used and the Of instruction
adopted at the Institute are, advised al
most identical with those ofthe United States Mill
tary Academy at West Point, in addition to which,
instruction in the ancient languag ges is given, which
may be considered fair average of the course OF
study of the colleges of the United States; and as
hree members OF the faCulty were educated at tlld
school, and the others graduates of colleges OF
high distinction and well qualified to teach in their
respective departments, the Board can see no rca-
son why a complete and thorough education cannot
be obtained at the Western Military Institute.
The Cadets instructed in military science,
not much with view of qualifying them for the
army as of promoting physical Development by
healthful exercise, good habits, subordination, and
dsc pine, and to employ leisure hours, which might
be otherwise devoted to alnusements or be
idly and uselessly thrown away. But military cx-
crcises are never permitted to interfere with the
academic studies of the Cadet.
The Board Of Visters have carefully inspected
the quarters of the Cadets, and find them neat and
comfortable, the police good, and such in every
respect to merit their entire appreciation; and from
personal examinations, and all the information
which they have been able to obtain, they have
found the fare prepared for the Cadets TO be clean,
wholeso me, and abundant. They also deemed it
their duty to examine the arms, and found them in
such admirable condition that the handling would
not soil white glove.
In concluding this report, the Board of Visitcrs
beg leave to add that the location of the institute
at the Blue Lick Springs Is well and favorably
known, not only in the Western States, but in the
eutire Mississippi valley that it would be useless
set forth its advantages, and commend it to public
favor on that ground But they unwilling to
withhold an expression of their unqualified appro-
baton of the course Of study, the good order, po
lice, and discipline observed and enforced at the
Institute, and their entire confidence in the high
qualifications OF the general and Joint Superlnend-
ent and corps of Professors to command and teach
in their respective departments; and for these
sons they commend IT TO public favor and patron
age. Respectfully, p. DUDLEY,
Adjutant General and En- OF. Chairman.
LUClUS DESHA,
w. G. TALBOT,
JOHN D. MORRIS,
GEORGE w. WILLIAMS,
JOHN S. WILLIAMS,
July l5- Members Board Of PiSitrs.