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

min stratiys talents. which may De possessed alike
by officers OF al depar merta OF the army. the main
dcaien bas been while securing these fer as pos
slble III The super. atendeDt 10 make them, however
| at all tis1es Subordinate 10 that higher and more
essential quality in such q school as this viz: scien-
tlho merit L is believed that this prin ,iPle is
founded in wisdom and justice That which has
given to this institution It's eminent character is its
bigh scientific standing Its reputation in this re-
spect Is not national merely--it is world vide for
| the graduate of this school have commanded the
respect and distinction Of every enlightened nation
Even with regard to those arms Of the service, not
strictly scientific il cannot be doubted that the dis
tincton which they have gained 70, the nseyes and
the nonor they have won for their country, have
their foundation essentially in the scientific basis
upon which their military education has been
fourded.
The Board would most earnestly suggest there
1 fore great caution in any change which should in
the least degree depreciate tue high scientific char
acter CT tn academy II should bc most carefully
preserved and maintained, and il possible, elevat
ca. me superintendent IS President Il the AGA
denc Board. He directs the academic exercises
lis 2osiuon sho'ld give prominence to the main
CHARACTERISTIC basis OF tue institution and his per-
sonal qualifications should be such as to command
the confidence and respe OF those who are trained
/ for all the branches Of the public service
With these principles clearly directing the admin
istra'ion OF the academy, IT is the opinion Of the
Beard thet, as the corps Of tue army are at present
organizsd officers possessing the necess lry quaf
cations for this special service may be obtained from
all the scientific corps. aud they persuaded that
tHiclency OF the dcduei0y DE greatly promo
led by extending the range of selection TOR its super
intenoent so as to give tie academy the advantage
! OF thtir services. But they would most earnestly
| press upon the department tue impoStance of SUD
ordinatory ia this selection, military aud admin
isrative talents to the essential one OF scientific
| character.
The successful issue OF the late war has id ten
cency to give prominence to the military element
to the neglect depreciation of the true cause of
that sucCc e. vz.:-the discipline of the mnd in the
severe scientific training Of the Military academy
| How the present restrictive rule may be re moved
wi boat sacrifice to the institution they are not
fully prepared 70 say, unie's it may he done by
filming the inspecorshio to tie chief of the corps Of
engneers. as Il present, and BY such iega! condi'
lions as snail limit the election t. those graduates
of the academy who belong 10 any Of the scientific
corps, and who 81 the came time possess the high,
! est military and administrative qualities.
Or considering the rapidly increasing bound aries
pliances OF genius and Of art in the Military service
which just regard to its full defence may demand,
II accurs 10 the board, az an alternate proposition,
| which may al no distant day be found absolutely
cessary. and which would solve tie Chief difficulty in
| this implicated question, to est absh another mill
tary academy with special reference TO the necessi
ties OF those Of the military services not strict
| " scientific, while this academy shall exclusively
appropriated to the preparation OF officers for the
scientific corps. The board nave been sensible that
| subjects Of instruction here have been too much
| crosded, and that the time anu attention given to
the military exercises have materially ilterfeIed
with that opery due % he severe scientific course
Of the academy. II s easy TO dive the youthful
| mind by the attractive duties OF the cavalry and
artillery drills from the iabors of the student lite
and while they are TINS made to the eye Of the ca
sua observer bs.ter soldiers the are really less
eli iert for all the higher and more importont de-
mands Of the military service. The suggestion
bears the prestige 0, tie example OF European
vices ard may be worthy Of consideration
| Whether either Of taese recommendations be
/ by the Board that a local rank Of colonel
| he assigned TO the superintendent. This mea
] sure would remove difficulty which has
| frequently existed, and which presents az anomaly
in the military service important 70 be avoided,
OF command being exercised by the Superin.
| tendent over Officers of high military rank. Con-
sidering also, the position Of the superntendent as
commanding officer Of post SO much visited by dis
tDguisbed strangers, the Board wonld further recon
mend that tie pay ana emoluments Of the Super.
intendent core pond with those II a colonel Of
cavalry. AZ connected With the above subject, ne
Board are OF opinion that error was made in the
law which established M equality Of academic rank
among the professors Of the academy. Seniority OF
cor mis- oii Is ust ana may be the only safe rpe
fer The military service; but in an academic board
controlling essentially scientific school those de
par'ments not strictly scientific should be kept az
they originally we're, subordinate TO the scientific de-
The report Of the Committee on Finance. with the
very full tabular statements supplied by the Super
inttndent, Ms or Barnard presents q comprehensive
exhibit Of The fiscal Affairs Of the academy, and at
.ention is specially directed TO the recommendation
OF The committee in reference TO an increase Of the
pay cf 'he cadets.
i The committee 70 whom was referred the state Of
military discipline police, &c. have presented re
port which, with the recommendations contained
therein, has received the unanimous approval Of
The Board. The subjects of inquiry embraced in this
report have Teen moe less brought to the atteu-
ton q all the members Of this Board Ia the
Of their general well special visitations and
they would express their high satisfaction with the
state of military discipline and police. The recon-
| mendation from the Superints ndent for an appro.
priation OF $4,000 for supply OF gas for the nsti
luton, corumends Itself so strongly by every con
siderafion OF prcprieiy as vel economy, that il
Is hoped Congress WILL at no distant day, make pio-
vision for H.
The construction Of the cadets barracks seems to
be sngularly unfortunate In all the qualities which
secure comfort and discipline TO the cadets. Beside
being III adapted for police there seems to be want
OF good ventilation, ana the suggestions OF the act
| ing coumandant OF cadets. Lient. Wilcox for the
construction Of pazzas is deserving OF special con-
sideration. To this the Board would further recon-
mend that the system OF warming The barracks 10y
i bot air furnaces he substituted By the more i'm
| proved method ~ steam or hot water. This latter
i system has bt en- generally adopted In the hospitals
/ aud asyhr,s OF the United states aud seems 10 lie
the best adapted fer healihul supply OF pure air
and proper tempe allure. II frees the institution
from coal dust. tie Disadvantages Of high tempera
fure in The heating surface aud risk from fire. and
Affords the most advantageous method ofintroiucing
| thorough ventilation into the building. II i be-
| lcved That the sum OF $4,000 would meet both Of
| thfsc reconmt ndaiions.
| Considering the important command OF the in.
struotor Of Infantry tactics, who i aso rmaniant
of cadets, well that of instructor Of artillery
| and cavalry, and practical enginet ring, the Board
deem IL proper and just that each Of these officers
should be placed upon equality with the other mem
hers Ct the Academic Beard. and recommend that
| the local rank. pay and emosumentAof major o.
| cavalry he as igned to each. Mu h Inconvenience
results from the insuiciency Of quarters for the as
tistanf professors and the scientific departments OF
| the academy have been somewhat embarrassed in
| consequence. The assistants in these departments
hi, slo tolo dat
| of more recent ds'e and. not having the rank TO
secure the selection Of quarters are either thrown
upon the courtesy of their brother officers II they
should he married men, or are compelled to board at
the hotel. N IL desirable that every facility should
he afforded to these officers for the proper study OF
The important branches OF instruction assigned to
them; and II IL believed that IN appropriation OF
$1,000 will enable the superintendent to construct
Grc hle cnltaaes for their