The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-10

geology. ought not 10 bs res1 iced ia the rage a
selection for It's assistants 60 tue Line OF tbc
amy" but authority Should be gwen to securs Inc
SCI vices OF The hes, officers in either corps Of the
army.
Nor should the library be limited by the small an
nuai appropriation now made for its support. Books
the @orking fools Of thu scholar and should ~,
supplied without stint TIE Board would recon
mend the anaunl appropriation OF 81 900 for the libra
ry and provision for on as ,stant TO the librarian
equal 70 hat Of the clerk to the adutaat-whie the
Board fully approve the /" four years rule as IL ia
termed, and believe il lust and proper for the mill
tary service they would recommend such occasional
relaxation OF as MAJ to the department to be
called for By the special wants Of the scientific de-
partments Of the academy with respect to their
principal assistants. These departments have been
materially damaged during the past scar by the aD-
plicaon of this regulation and if the claims o! the
public sersee elsewhere Justify the excep tions re
terred TO- the efficiency Of The institution would be
promoted by them.
OF studies adopted by the Academic Board to &C
coumodate the course to the extended term OF
five years, TIE essential idea Vhica made the fifth
year necessary has teen in part overlooked Pro-
Eciency IN the elementary departments OF know
Ledge in the candidates for admission suggested
this as partial remeoy, by afordng opportunity
Tor Instruction IL those English studies which should
constitute the foundation OF the education OF an
American officer.
The mathematical studies Of the fifth class now
embrace as extensive range as a former fourth
class, while the present fourth class completes the
full Matchmaker! course formerly closed in the
third The Board would recommend change in
this arrangement, 20 that the fifth class shall be
instructed exclusively in those branches properly
embraced IN an elementary English course OF
studies and that should any candidates for admis.
zion, on e2aminaton by the Academic Board be
be found qualified TO enter the fourth class, they
lie permitted to do so.
The separation OF the duties Of chsplsiD from the
department. embraced in the instruction Of English
recommended In this report vii! afford the means Of
carrying out this suggestion.
4 special attention of the department is directed
to the report OF the committee on the mora and
lipous condition II the institution.
The Board has been deeply panied at the Limited
provision made by regulation ard by aetna! practice
or the religious instruction of the cadet and the
concentrations Of the committee are deserving OF
most mature de.ileration. Whatever differences OF
opinion may prevail among the various Christian de-
motions al believe that the true foundation OF
individual morality and national prosperity lies in
the divine pTecepts OF the word Of God. Every FACT
lily SHOULD be Afforded to those who are receiving at
this school the education which shall lit them for the
service OF the country to he early trained in all the
duties which pertain 10 tatm in their relations to the
Supreme Law Giver.
TIE Bible, as a text book, opeosa department of
knowledge which, Ike au ample palace, contains
within itself mansions for every other knowledge,
which deepens and extends the interest of every
other, eiyea new ehs.n,s and additional purpose,
and ought not o. be withheld from the cadets Of
this Institution Right Of conscience should be most
sacredy guarded but this may be done by the
means suggested by the Committee or Sabbath 81 Die
Instruction under the limitations and conditons con-
tanned in their seport, end by such regulations a.
shall project this Place from being made gala day
by military displays tor the aGmirng uutitndes who
Thong il On the sabbath cay for the purpose.
Whatever good policy may dictate as required for
The common soldier does nor necessarily apply to
tie cadet ana under proper system OF religious
instr ction would not apply.
There are special considerations which make this
subject Of grave importance. Many OF the gradu-
ates Of this institution are stationed at frontier
pests ana afe, in degree, removed from the stated
mean CT grace Let them leave this Acafemy with
cut tie principles OF the pure morality OF the Bible
and they soon iall prey to the temptations wh,h
there ieset soldie bic Bat lei them he furnished
with The Messing Of or Loy religion and how much
would their influence be felt, through the Bible
class and the sabbath school, upon the rank and
file Of the amy and how mighty would II tell
upon the vItue and intelligence of onr people To
give, then. the fullest efficacy TO these important
Suggestions, l4e Board would earnestly recommend
| that the duties Of chaplain be separated from the
professional department Of the Academy and that
| proiessorsbp OF moral and political philosophy and
| bellies lettfrs be established.
review Of the extensive field Of inquiry commit
ted TO the Board has convinced them that for fun
| discharge Of their duty much thought and patient
| and laborous examination are required. Most Of
those who usually constitute these boards OF vista
tion come here entirely unacquainted with the pnc.
teal ope, atoms Of the institution and just as they
begin 10 uroersfsnd their work their duty termi-
mates. II has hence occurred TO the Board that IL
In connection wi the regular appointees OF any
year each board would possess The advantage to be
gained By their experience ard knowledge They
would aso recommt nd as importsnt auxiliary in
their duty, that the superintendent be directed to
prepare each year In advance Of the meeting Of the
Board detailed report Of the operation and wants
Of the Academy, such report to embrace the report
Of the heads Of the various departments and 70 be
lsio before the Board on it, organization.
II is presumed also to be the intention Of the law
that The actual expenses OF the lbers OF the Board
should lie met by the provision made fer them. In
Ice experience OF thisaBoard this provision Is insult
cient, and ttey would recommend that the Law be
modified so a. 70 provide an allowance Of mileage
at the rate OF ten cents ror nile al for current ex
perscs s. per day during tic session OF the Board
The Beard would take this occasion to express
their obligations 70 the Superintendent, professors.
and officers OF the Academy for the courtesy which
they have on all occasions extended towards them.
Every facility has been afforded 10 enable them to
acquaint themselves with the condition and wants OF
the institutcn.
And row In closing the duties which have en-.
gagged their attention during laborious Session OF
sixteen days, the Board cannot separate without the
expression OF the high satisfaction which their yi.
has given them. Representing a. they DO. four
teen distinct States OF this great contederacy,
coming together Us strangers 10 each 9th Z,
to consult over the interests Of an i'm
poriant national institution they part with
sentiments Of profound ard honest pride.
ly then constituents. that their country has es-
ablished noble institution as the United States
Military Academy. While differences Of opinion
have occasionally existed in their oorsj, ration Of
the various questions OF pubic policy which relate
t. the conduct OF this great school, their session has
been one Of the Creates harmony and satisfaction
and tire views which they beg leave now 10 present
ae TIE result c. their united and concurrent lsbors.
We have the honor 10 be, very respectfully your
oltS .eut Servants,
FrANcrs II. SMITH II virginia.
President OF the Board.
r. u. SEXTON, OF Texas.
Secretary OF the Board.
WN ri. DUNCAN OF New Hampshire.
JoHS WHEELEE, OF Vermont.
LirTLsJorN kiRKPATRrCg, Of New Jersey.
JcHS II. SroTwoop, Of Delaware.
II. +. SIMPSON, o. South Carolina
Ws y. READ, Of Kentucky.
r. g.. EASTMAN, of Tennessee.
JoBS HENpEfCKs, OF Indiana.
II. IL. RnMAN Of tInnts