The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-02

| REPORT OF THE BOARD OF vI6ITERs TO THE UNITED
| STATES MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT, JUNE,
| Hon, JEFFERSON DAVIS, Secretary Of War:
SR-The Board Of Visitors invited "to attend the
nua examination OF the United States Military Academy
to examine into the actual state Of discipline nstruc on
police, administration fiscal AFFAIRS aud other
animation to the Secretary q War; met at West Point
New York on the LIST of June in accordance with the
regulations Of the Academy and of the letter ofnvtaon
The Board having been organized received the official
visit and courteses Of the Academic staff and under the
escort of the superintendent and various officers pro-
ceeded to visit the different departments of the insu
on and thence to the review Of the corps OF Cacets
From the review the Board proceeded to the officers
partake of the Inequalities of the Super
intendent. On the I'd Of June the annual examination
of the cadets Of the United States Military Academy
menced, and was continued daily Except ON sundays)
until completed The Board met daily for the transac
ton Of business. The examinations were held in the
library and were continued from A. M. till r. M
and from r. M. till +. NJ
The Board also attended the daily exhibition the
exercises in the different of the service. The
diets showed the Skill efficiency and perfect ming
ful for all the varied emergencies Of active service.
On .ne snS3ects prescribed IN your letter OF
examination these committees have investigated all the
subjects named assisted by the officers the books and
records Of the institution. thorough knowledge of
every part of the Academy thus obtained only
in the general relations but in the details Of the pract
cal workings Of the whole system The results of this sys
tenn were in the proficiency OF the graduating class
The Board are impressed with the Importance of this
practical working been displayed in training large
number Of men for the public service who have showed
the results Of that training in their skill and bravery
officers Of the line and of the staff the fields Of
MEXICO and in the professions and employments of civil life
The unitarian character of this institution and the
its benefits to greater number than have enjoyed them
heretofore is longer question 1t is believed that
removed the popular psudces Which were growing
against this academy The people had not distinctly
before that era the practical effects Of and train
The Committee Discipline, after due investigation,
give their opinion that the system in the United
States Military Academy is admirably adapted in all its
parts to cultivate and form habits Of ORDER system pane
tuality responsibility subordination obedience and
developed and carried out into practice in each depart
ment and works tremendously In all its parts in
great machine that performs the duties required Of it in
the most perfect manner No other institution in
country has the 70 carry out in practice such
system Of perfect discipline.
the cades by the bonds Of honor reputation and his
pledge under OATH his future position and rank in the
Of his family and friends which have strength and paw
him rivaed by other institution, unless the
naval school at Annapolis be excepted.
The Board concur with the Committee on Discipline
that the efficiency of the discipline is unexceptonabe,
and they offer but suggestion that may tend to make
that the authorities at Washington should always
tain the decisions Of the Academic Board and Of courts
martial, unless for good and pecial reasons.
cadet rensated in the Academy after deliberate and
careful examination trial and sentence Of dismssion by
the constituted authorities, exers baneful influence
institution.
The instruction at the Military Academy constitutes
of the chief claims to the confidence and respect of
the country. The mathematics and the application of
mathematics to the exact sciences which thoroughly
gradually powers of the mind and train it to habits
Of close nductve reasoning The languages here taught
habtuae the pupil to note the minute shades of differ
in the meaning Of words and In the forms of express
sion Many Of the studies specially tend to cultivate the
memory thus reason and memory are strengthened by
the taxing of their powers But the of instruc
deductions Of reasoning.
Merit and proficiency the sold bases of standing in
the classes. The mparaliiy, patience, and unweared
labor Of the professors instructors and their assistants
in all the departments OF the institution deserve com
their opinion both the and modes of instruction
these most approved in our highest institutions OF
learning.
Instruction in the several OF the military service
is given both theoretically and practically
The moral and religious instruction by the chaplain
and professor of ethics deemed of great Importance to
the young who brought together here from
district OF our country Inc cadets nave the benefit OF
Bible class is open to such will attend Sunday after
moons. The Board regret that there is not prevailing
higher moral and religious sentiment and proper sense
of accountability This however, is not accustomed by
the lack of proper moral and religious influences. The
good influences Of the Christian exhibited to the
cadets in the daily walk and example Of their chaplain,
by several of their professors and even by some among
strucon recently introduced by the addition Of another
year together with the evidences OF Christianity and the
reasoning on such subjects brought before the
trali2e and degree the evil Such in
sruction will show the pupils Of the Military Academy
that there other kinds evidence than mathematical
demonstrations of evidence that entitled the
serious consideration and that the basis Of al
most all the opinions decisions and belief Of mankind
Among the new studies introduced by the addition Of
the fifth year to the academic history rhetoric
composition, defamation and constitutional and interna
tonal law These studies evidently will exert por
influence in enabling the young to perform in
future life their duties officers in the public service
and TO qualify them for intellectual intercourse with their
The Board Of visters after due consideration of the
subjects referred to them in your letter Of invitation,
concur in the following recommendation of tie several
committees. Compliance with their recommendations
expected to promote the usefulness of the insttu
on and add to the comfort of those connected with the
United States Military Academy The that have
influenced the Board in making these recommendations
may he found detailed in the reports of the committees
and in the accompanying papers herewith transmitted
The Board recommend as follows, viz:
l. That the authorities at Washington SHOULD always
sustain the decisions of the Academic and of courts
martial, unless for special good reasons.
q A more thorough training in the of the sword
3. further acquaintance with the practical use of the
instruments in civil engineering and that two of each
graduating class Of the typographical engineers be de-
tailed perfect themselves in the use of the
astronomical apparatus.
l. frequent practical instruction in the laboratory.
s. familiar acquaintance with minerals and rocks
O. That period of time equivalent to the added year.
and distributed through the course be strictly appro
priated to the instruction Of the cadets in the Spanish
language in English studies In bellies letters,
history federal and martial law, together with the laws
of evidence in the laws Of nations in the constitution Of
the United In STUDIES
needfu to the education Of the accomplished soldier.
4 The relaxation of the four year deailn rule in
| favor Of the first assistants in each department
8. That the Hospital have new floors laid
0. The proprety of relaxing the regulations nictng
| severe punishments for the first offence.
TO- strict adherence to the requirements for admission
H. The appointment of two additional cadets from
each State corresponding with the number Of United
States Senators in Congress.
H. Placing the assistant instructor Of artillery in
gard to pay, the footing Lieutenant serving
with the light batteries.
49, Additional pay to the cadets, and appropriations
| for the Military Academy
H. An appropriation to finish the artillery and dra
COON stables, SIC, 000
Is An appropriation for additions and improvements
| to officers quarters, % 900.
16. An appropriation for gas works, SIS, 900
H. An appropriation for officers quarters, $40, 900.
Is. An appropriation for the dragoon quarters,
So 900.
TO- An appropriation for increasing the library So O00
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
ISAAC DAVIS, Of Massachusetts,.
President Of the Board Of yisiters.
W. w. MATiER Ohio Secretary.
Il o. - tai