The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-08-18
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF VISITERS ON THE
MILITARY ACADEMY.
MILITARY AoApEay, wFsr poISH

Inc DOau OF Nlsitcfs invited 10 aittuu
animation of the Military Academy have performed the
duty assigned Them and respectfully submit the follow
ing report upon the various topics referred to in your let
ter of instructions
The board take pleasure in stating that every facility
was afforded by the superintendent and other officers of
the institution enable them discharge the trust
fded to them. every department of the Academy was
submitted their inspection and every species OF inor
nation necessary to correct understanding OF its prae
teal operation promptly and cheeriuly furnished
After very careful examination of the course OF in-
srueon prescribed by existing regulations the board was
deeply impressed with the wisdom Of those by whom that
system devised IL il difficult TO conceive one more
perfect in its general arrangement The same wisdom
displayed in the distribution OF studies among the differ
classes Subjects of investigation at first compare
lively simple become gradually complicated as the
student approaches the termination of that course when
the honos of the Academy conferred upon him. Each
step taken in that sheds light the succeeding
one thus the path which, under system less perfect
would be obscure is made plain and difficulties hppa
rently formidable easily surmounted.
The examination of the cadets in the presence OF the
board from day day. while it strengthened the convic
ton have expressed in respect to the of studies
afforded abundant evidence that the mode Of instruction
was perfect as could well be devised.
The which the cadet is subjected under
the plan adopted precudes the possibility of subst
tutng for the deductions of the efforts of
memory The results of these examinations generally
quite satisfactory furnishing not only satisfactory evidence
Of the diligence of the cadets but OF the distinguished
ability of their instructors and of their skill and Judgment
in mparting knowledge to the youths committed to their
charge In this connexion the board withhold the
expression of their admiration in Witnessing the patience
and mparaty OF the gentlemen to whom the response
bic trust of teaching is confded Mutual confidence and
kindly sympahies exist between professor and student
without impairng the authority OF the former or inducing
false expectations the part of the latter The existence
of such relations is shown not to be Incompatible with the
higher claims of justice in the enforcement of the
rigid discipline.
Instruction in the various of the service taught
theoretically and practically The officers intrusted with
the duty of instruction in this department have exhibited
qualifications of high order. The precision and accu
racy with which manguvres executed in the field
commanded the admiration of the board 1t is among the
distinguishing exceences of the Military Academy that the
best scientific education and highest mental culture is
bned with these manly exercises which impar vgor
the constitution and thus the student that bodily
health strength and activity essential to the profession
of arms.
According existing regulations the and acting
assistant professors detailed from the army and the
board regard it emnently important that when desig
mated for the performance of that duty at the
of the academic year. their services should be secured
to the institution at least until its close The board
that the public exgences may demand the services
of these officers in other fields of duty but the reasons upon
which this recommendation is founded obvious snd
cogent to commend it to the adoption of tie government
Immediately connected with the of instruction
is subject to which the board beg leave to invite in
special manner the attention of the Secretary of War;
BY the existing regulations young permitted to
become members of the institution after having attained
the age of 16 years The history of the Academy md the
Judgment of those whose experience gives force to their
opinions prove very conclusvey that in many instance
young gentlemen who enter at that early age pre-
pared to the complicated subjects constituting the
first years The consequences necessarily dis
astrou to the prospects of many merorous youths Their
failure to attain the standard exacted by the regulations of
the Academy and to grappe successfully with the complex
subjects which engage the attention during their first
years service arises in many instances from exceeding
ly defective education The intellectual powers never
having been cultivated remain undcvcloped and thus
the want of that previous mental discipline necessary
success, the hopes Of both parent and child often
crushed Two remedies have been suggested for this great
evil First by requiring higher standard than TINT
prescribed prerequisite to admission Second by ex-
tending the of studies through period OF FIVE in
stead Of four years The adoption of the plan just sug-
gesed liable to the serious objection that considerable
proportion Of the cadets selected from that large and
highly respectable class whose parents cannot command
the necessary to qualify them for admission under
the proposed regulation thus nvidous distinction
would be created, and the benefit of the institution would
to great extent be confined to the fortunate whose
are III 10 NJ tuem Or tie preliminary
examination Should the Of service be extended to
five years it is believed that the difficulties which beset tts
path OF mary interesting young would be removed
The subjects embraced In the first years course should be
of character to discipline the mind and prepare ii for the
investigation of those of complicated nature Other
advantages would result from the plan now proposed and
which deserve notice instruction might with great advant
age be given in history elocuton and compositions without
tasking too severely the physical mental powers of the
student The reare To find that the study Of history
not and cannot he embraced in the course OF insrc
ton. Thus, while the scientific and military education of
the cadet 's very complete he enters the army with no
other kNowedge OF history than may been acquired
before is connection with the Academy An evil glarng
and papable only find remedy by the adoption Of the
recommendation proposed
While the board impressed with the thorough and
accurate knowledge generally exhibited in the exact
sciences the necessity Of requiring instruction in elocuon
quite manifest. In many instances there was the ABB
of that facility Of expression accuracy Of STYLE and
clearness of pronunciation which only be acquired by
exacing extended Of instruction in English
studies and making composition and cocnton part of the
course OF instruction.
The duties of the acting assistant professors of
highly important and responsible nature The selection Of
these officers is suggested by the ability they have DISPLAYED
in the several branches Of learning taught at the Academy
and their skill and tact instructors Of youth To reap
the full benefits of the system which now prevails il Is c
sena that the services OF this class officers should
far as possible be secured to The institution thus uniting
practical experience TO acknowledged ability The assist
ant professors now receive additional compensation in