The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-08-21
Wsse Point MILITARY Academy.
RIPORr or TEE BOARD OF vIsIrB3s.
Wxar P0IAT NRU YoRK luna LIZ lA6.

l. - ~.
nnDy Ststes of the comic deracy, assembled NJ thi
piaoe on the lat day Of June, and organised CHI
board OF Visiters fer che year 1862. Tho purpose
designsd were to attend che annual examinsti0n o.
the csAsts, TO investigate tho condition Of the Mil
tsry Academy, in reference to several subjects
brought to their notce BY ysur letter and to report
10 you the result of their inquiries, together with
any recommendations which might arpesr TO them
! 1u0toi0us or i'm Dort6nt.
The hoard commenced thor proceedings undor
thc profound conviction that o national Military
4csoemy, organized il tho best manner and
daoted on juss principles must be OF the very high
est value TO the United 6tatos. IL is conceived thst
ire pepod 10 defiant when the passions Of individuals
sasH oe sn6dued TO perfect humanity. and the am-
uitious snd often unecrupuous rivalry of nations
be diverted into the elevated paths Of generous
and honorable competition in Industrial aud othor
pursuits War must, therefore, coutnuc to be
prsctised and the science and art which guides ia
arms to the eurcst aud speediest results while in
volving in their study the uses and aoquaintan sea
with sll the exact sciences and many OF tho arts.
should be thoroughly instructed. To orit such in
struction would no to place this conlederscy far in
rear Of all the enlightened nations of the world in
the scale of Importance, which is likewise that Of
self interest and responsibility, and the power Of
be we'll supposed that this country is not SO re.
mote in geographical position 20 werful and
prolific of means and appliances for resistance, TO
be exempt fom the possibility Of hostile invasion,
with its train OF injurious consequences Tho mill
tia will cOn titutc the great bulwar of defen,e; and,
as in psst warfare, again in that Of the future,
| their strong arms and brave hearts are ample
guarantees against entire aubjugation But to cast
| AMONG them the seeds of military knowledge;
to taain seem in tho highest principles Of mctbod
cal Uar; @ imrart 20 tacm skill, and inspire them
| With confidence, would serve TO and hasten
succese, vhlia ofton averng porls and always
ping the Disgrace which so frequently results from
msoirectcd Efforts
II may DC assumed thst Impressions similar to
these induced the part of Washington The urgent
snc repeated Recommendations of The fcundHtion Of
national military institution Tie very last (nub-
Iished) letter Of his life, OF the 18th Of December,
l79s' contained plea N ia behalf lio desired
bic ano extensive bass;" and he regarded it IAN
object of primary" Importance TO the country. AS
the forewo legacy of the father Of his couury this
conception, aferwaris embodied into durable form.
and existing at the preacnt day, an ornament and
an honor to tie contederocy, whilo it il proud
monument TO his patriotic forecast, should be fos
tered and cherished By The American people.
The Academy ct West Point was erected under
the administration Of Jefferson; and IN its humble
beginning was destined to educate officers solely for
the corps Of military engiaeers. During the war Of
st, and proved themselves the equals at least Of
their British antagonists About chat period the
number Of cadets was increased and the course Of
instruction was enlarged, With the favor Of the
| government ard the people, these have continued
their prog-eas 70 the present sime. Tho army, in
al its arms Of service are recipients Of highly edu-
cssed and accomplished officers. And the branches
| ofRaoweGge taught have become, In their variety
end extent, ail chat can he studied in the term Of
| four years In consequence of the efficiency, the
eeilan-y, nrd tbs skill Of its graduates, displayed
more pa. tculsry in the recent 1ag, the Academy
appears Of length TO be duly appreciated by all
classes of our fellow. citizens.
The moment ia favorable 20 extend It's usefulness
70 the entire country by emerging It's sphere Of
| benefits.
| These would uuouesticnablv enure from increasing
| the number of pupils: from impelling the energy
and kindling the enthusasn Of its conductors Of oil
grades, BY Justly if not generously &C moe satng
lat n IN
fort, convenience, AID Of instruction, by liberal
pthditures towards tae various improvements acre
ins;ser znentoned from extending the term of study
| 20 Gye years, which would elevate tde standard &c
eaucoton beyond thct ne any similar Institution in
tae world; IN word, from Regarding the Military
Academy. aa the great national saninary CT the
science Gf "aE, 9nd as the nurseTy of fitted for
ell the higher spheres Of human sctiop. anG, in ac
cordaace chg ishing it With the nation Affections
sad ptoIotlug is nches; euGs with the nations
bo.fty.
Ths Beard II Yiaiters, after ,n;out, and faithru
cEsmiDGt01, crstifed Ii pts ssng ttcir entire
eppfotation Of the basis upon which tic institution
was fUhbatd ard taair concurrence wtt its gsnotal
| macaeemeot. TIE 1ccunu!ating oEccrien3e Of fifty
| vesre, ccreiulv noted and improved upon III prao
tice from tine &C tine. when possible 20 dc Sc leave
| litt;e now to 10 a!tsrcd Ard tic board in the
ntin naTe GUY @ rcoommeno e9fropr.tions for
10 tie professors ana give fac.t6s for certain IL .
| st'ucticn While pacing TIA Acsacpay OF the most
respectable footing IL III TIC departments arc dis.
L
| ard the efficiency in the adaptations of tho rears
&c secure the design. IL tho external UprovomeIts
i ae military eroises in tie branches Of study,
Iteudeice CT nils its oGairs and in Tho discipline
which, sanctioned by tho Authority Of law ard in
dispensable to the enieent success Of military in-
stltuton, is tie grand cement OF Ill tho parts, CIV
| ing symmetry Of form and vigor OF action 10 the
united whole, tho board give their cordial assent
| ard commentator
With tho view Of instituiing tue most searching
scrutiny whish tie brief period Of less than three
weeks would permit, committees were appointed
from the board, TO each Of which prominent sub
/ ject was fntrusted Reports were rendered, and
having been discussed before the board, and adop-
| ted in some cases after being amended, they con
siitute tho BODY Of the general report, ard
pany il in the order il which they were presented
and accepted Ia order to attract nero readily the
| attention. the general recommendations Of the
board 10 be found distributed through tho reports
Of the committees, and few not reported on are
| grouped together AID numbered as follows
1t lie recoEne1aed that sixty-t~o additional
cadets be auhotyed, 10 correspond 70 the Senator's,
| allowing two for each State.
2--Ihat the pay Of the cadets be Increased 1920
month, or making $3.50 per mouth, which was
granted previously 70 $50; the smoCnt at pres.
ent is insufficient, ($2i}, Nearly all who graduate
are involved in debt in despite OF the practice hero
Of the most rigid system Of economy
THAT the psy Of the Superintendent be in.
creased frou SO 900 to 81 900 The euie,tsinement
Of distinguished 1Ieu, scientific ana otherwise, from
ab,oal and at home, VITO visit this place. IS thrown
almost wholly or this ofoer. And for tho credit Of
| the hosptnlty Of the nation, il Inuet be and is
| borne. Ihe present superintendent has in some
ycara sirco being stationed at .his post, ex-
1 expended $5,o00 Over lis pay.
4-TEat tie pay q instructors oc drawing and
French, be made equal nth that o. the principals
in other departments. They receive 81 500 year,
the others g. coo.
5-Tsat tic Instructors (rriucipaD, q practical
engineering md Of artillery, &c , he allowed the
Same compensation ss Other principal professors.
6-TEat tic irst assistant instructors oC drawing
and Frcach tc altered tic pay the frs. Us
sistent in oil the other departments There i no
reason ia the wor.d Why the present distinction
should exist.
7-ghat I'll the secondary instructors end teach
taken fots The ermy, DO allowed dollars per
month extra pay. The expenses Of dress aud board
ii much greater here than elsewhere in service;
In I'll. .lI- fnrclLa Ia irlDcn