The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-25

taTy duly 10 oTeaflZe the Board OF NlseIs lor TIC
year 1858. Iplne diately after our organization we
we're conduct.d ly Colonel Lee, accompanied by the
academic staff, through the several departments OF
the Military Academy, and thereby afforded an am
pie opportunity to become acquainted with its inter
nal reg uatons and arrangements. BY vote OF the
Beard committees were appointed upon the subjects
vi instruction discipline, police, administration, and
fiscal affairs; who, after having attended to the du-
ties assigned them reported to the Board, and their
reports are herewith transmitted.
The examn alton Of the cadets commenced on the
I'd day of June at o'clock A. b., and continued
until o'clock p. NJ and from O'Clock to 8 O'Clock
p. NJ, and during the same hours from day to day,
Sundays excepted till the 18th day of June, when it
was concluded. The examination was conducted in
the presence of the Board of Vsiters chiefly by the
professors in the several departments, aided by their
assistants and extended to all the branches Of in
struction through which the several classes had
passed during the previous year. The mode of ex-
animation was emiaently thorough, and adapted to
test severely the scholarship OF the cadets With but
few exceptions we are happy TO report that Inc Test
was borne with distinguished success. ,
AT the Board there was but one opinion as 70 tne
great value OF this institution to the American re-
public. The conviction was clear In every mind
that by no other agency could military science oe
dfIdstd and skill in the art OF war attained 80 gen.
elay and so successfully as by this If war Is still
to be practised among the nations and il we as
ration have no guarantee Of perpetual exemption
from its caamites then the cultivation OF the art OF
war even to the highest possible degree ia entirely
Here knowledge becomes invested with the at
tribute Of mercy well as power. The truly
skilful general, who knows how to adapt the
best means to the end proposed, while he conquers,
saves human life, ana often saves but to conquer
The neral power Of this institution in its adapted
ness to secure to Unoa internal tranquility, and
preserve unbroken our pacific relations with foreign
powers, can hardly be overestimated. In the high
est and most comprehensive sense 1t IS national in its
character, representing ii its members, every State
in our growing coniederacy and pIofering its high
privileges to intrinsic merit regardless OF the fact
tous distinctions incident to almost every form OF
human society. No sectional or social jealousies can
here be awakened. The cadets are oil the sons OK
the republic. and learn to regard with lia affection
every part OF it as their common country. AT the
very commencement OF their cadetship, under the
solemn sanctions of an appeal to their Maker they
pledge themselves to life of fidelity to the American
Union and through the whole period of their train
ing, they are brought under influences admirably
fitted to cherish and strengthen within them a pa
trotsm broad in its scope and lofty in its aims as
was the spirit which animated the immortal founders
Of this priceless contederacy.
At the same time, by the efficient maintenance OF
this institution, foreign powers are adnonshed that
while it shall be aim to render exact justice
to them have both the disposition and the ability
to maintain and defend our rights and honor as u
nation History abundantly proves that an adequate
state of national defence is the surest guarantee for
the continuance Of national peace; and events 10 our
own history, fresh in every mind show that we have
no arm of defence on which we may rely with higher
confidence than the skill and bravery Of the sons OF
West Point.
Moreover, if it is important to the perpetuity Of
our popular system of government that useful know
ledge should be generally difsed among the people,
what agents be found more efficient in the &C
complement Of this end than the welldisciplined
and highly accomplished graduates OF this institu-
tion-scattered as they are through every State of
our Unon-uniting theory with
the practical value OF acknowledging its bonda-
ries-multp plying the sources Of human happiness,
t,,,<Sr lo, tt,t<y1 lfrrnt
We all agree in sentiments Of profound respect for
the learning and high character, the wisdom and
discretion, Of the officers at the head of the instta-
ton, composing the academic board. We were
strongly impressed with the high physical ntellec-
tual aud moral bearing of the cadets, and the evil
dence exhibited at their examination of their close
attention to study and their disposition and ability
to learn.
We are of the opinion that important improve
ments should be made in some Of the present build
ings, and that several new ones should be erected
We entirely united in the conviction that nothing
should be left undoDe necessary to place the insttu
ton in the highest state Of efficiency; and that the
present is the time to accomplish the object while
we have at the head Of the War Department an Off
Ger who knows how to appreciate its value, from its
effects upon the welfare of the country, in war -
well as in peace.
LIST. The revised regulations for the United States
Military Academy require that instruction shall be
given in cavalry tactics. TO carry out this require
ment, we are all Of entirely satisfied that a new
regard for safety to the lives and limbs of the cadets
require this, as well their successful progress in
this branch of instruction. 1t is the opinion Of the
superintendent, that the course Of equation cannot
be properly taught without it, and that the room
now used for the purpose is extremely dangerous to
the lives and limbs Of the cadets.
It is estimated that, in addition to the amount
appropriated, (s2 ooO) the sum Of s2l,l97 will be
I'd. The cadets hospital should be enlarged and
improved brick front should be built extending
to the centre, flush with the front OF the wings, to
connect wards with the additional space so formed
by cutting the present windows into DOORS ALSO two
projections in the rear equal in width to the north
and south wards, which shall contain the staircases
water closets, and bath rooms the whole to be raised
story (ten fee in addition to the present height
Of the building. To accomplish this will require an
appropriation of $4,000.
3d. Quarters for sixteen officers and two families
should be constructed, in the form Of brick build
ing Of two stories, with basement with two wings,
Gone for each famy) 1t is estimated that it will re-
qure about S2S, 600 TO accomplish this object.
4th. Suitable additions may be made TO the quar-
tiers of the professors by an appropriation, in addi
ton to the amount already appropriated (s30O0) Of
SIS O5l IS.
9Th Suitable stables may be erected by an appro-
priaton, in addition to the amount already appropr
ated ($S ,G0O) Of s7,49l.
9Th. We are of the opinion that the number of the
cadets should be increased as to correspond with
the number of Senators of the United States by ad-
ding two from each State and that the recommended
tions of Senators in each State should have great
weight in selecting the cadets from their respective
States to make up this increased number
eth. We are Of the opinion that great care should
he taken in the selection Of cadets-that is to be
made from among those who have the highest quail
ficatons physical, intellectual and moral.
ssh. That the period OF instruction should be ex.
tended to five years This may be accomplished
without any additional expense TO the nation, and
with great advantage TO the cadets. They should be
qualified to take and hold with honor to themselves
the highest positions in civil as well as military
life.
eth. We are Of the opinion that the decisions OF
the academic beard, to the capacity and conduct
of the cadets, and their qualifications to be admitted
ard continue in the academy, should be considered
as final and conclusive.
10TH We are oil Of the opinion that the pay Of the
cadets should he increased making it at least 2S 70
per month. ard very large majority OF the board
Of the opinion that it should he increased to $50
per month";
18th. We concur in the recommendations made by
the board Of yisiters last year that the pay of the
superintendent should not be less than So O00 that