Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-08-17
Report Of the Committee on Discipline

Report Of the Committee on Discipline
Having carefully examined in detail the rules pre-
scrbed for the government of Cadets based upon the
articles of war and the regulations of the army and
also the system Of rewards and punishments we be-
lieve them be well adapted the object in view and
calculated to maintain and enhance the high charac-
ter of the institution
The infantry cavalry and light artillery drills and
the artillery practice were all performed Ia the most
satisfactory manner.
The organization of the corps for instruction in in
fantry tactics into battalion of four companies the
companies being ofcered by Cadets who were selected
to fill these situations OF trust for their oldership and
good conduct the commissioned officers being taken
from the first class the sergeants from the second and
the corporas from the third appears to be the best
that could be devised The instruction Of the Cadets
in the school Of the soldier in company and battalion
drills and in artillery practice is thorough and reflects
great credit the officers in charge of these depart
ments.
The clean and soldier-like appearance and correct
department of the Cadets drill and parade excited
our admiration, and Of opinion that the system
of discipline is such combines frmness and pro-
per restraint with kindness and soicude for the well
fare and success Of the Cadets t
The cavalry drill and the riding school exhibit
careful instruction and great proficiency considering
the serious disadvantages arising from the limited
supply of horses and their defective character.
The light artillery drill remarkable for the
pidity as well as the regularity and precision of the
movements, and manifested thorough and careful
training. In this arm well in the cavalry drill
the want of horses is great drawback to the progress
OF instruction. In order to place these departments
on proper basis and in justice to the very able Off
GERS entrusted with the instruction in hem it abso
utely necessary that full supply Of sound and we'll
broken horses should be provided and that they should
be furnished for each service by the use of the
same horses for the cavalry and artillery drills they
become unfit for either. About one hundred horses
are required for the above services.
The necessity of new riding hall is obvious. The
exercise is conducive to the health and physical de-
yelopment of the cadets and should be continued
without regard to weather The riding hall
in present use is wholly unsuted to the purpose and,
in fact dangerous. We recommend an appropriation
for new one and that should be taken to avoid
the use of vicious or kicking horses. as
Upon full investigation of the system of punish
ments and the causes Of dismissal, we satisfied
that resort is only had to the latter when mperatively
demanded and that when, in conformity to the laws,
such sentences pronounced, they should not be
reversed.
The internal police and general management OF
the Academy meet our hearty approval and the high
state of discipline of the corps Of Cadets is the proof
of the able and faithful discharge of their duties by
the officers of the Academy. a
J. B. M. POTTER,
" H.". ' al T. CADwALADER,
.lif ut .% . HENRY DU PoST,
...gla .-,. s..... aa Committee on Discipline.