The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-06
REPORT or THE WEST Poryr vIsIrERs.
UslrnD srArrs MurARY AolDEaY,


having met and organized this place the I'd day Of
June and having discharged the duties committed to them
by your letter Of invitation and by law beg leave TO make
the following reports
To facilitate them in their various duties committees
were appointed, and charged with minute inquiry into
the particular subjects brought to the attention of the
board The reports OF these committees together with the
oarna of the proceedings Of the board accompany this
port and furnish the fullest information relative the
actual state aud discipline Instruction. police adminstra
ton, fiscal affairs and other Of the institution
ito all of which your attention is specially directed" Sub
jecs Of general nature involving 10 eminent degree
the usefulness OF the academy, taken up by the
board acting a committee Of the whole and will b.
found embraced in the report.
The attention OF the board has been most deliberately
given TO the administration of the academy and in pre-
sentng the result of their deliberations upon the import
ant questions connected herewith they have kept ead-
ly before them the distinctive objects contemplated and
accomplished in the operation of the inst
tuition.
As first in importance they have considered the propre
B OF charging the field Of selection for the superintendent
ey OF the academy 10 embrace all of the military
vice. To right understanding of this most delicate qes
ton they would remark that, for period Of fifty -fon
years. the SUPPLEMENTARY of the academy has conf
dd by aw 10 the corps Of engineers and this has BEER
the case although the range of the institution has been
tended from It's original and limited design school Of
engineers, to embrace the wants of the topoga phen and
ordnance corps aud of the artillery infantry and cavar
services IL cannot be supposed that this exclusive ru,
has been the result of accident has proceeded from
any partial consideration in favor of the corps of engineers
They know otherwise Looking to the peculiar compost
ton Of this corps perceived that essentially repre-
senss the highest scientific elements Of the military service
and it may be fairly presumed that this fact has mainly
controlled the provisions of law with regard super
ntendency Important as are the qualities of high mill
tary and administrative talents which may be possessed
alike by officers of all departments Of the army the main
design has been while securing these far possible
the superintendent to make Them however all times
Subordinate to that higher and essential quality in
such school as this, viz scientific merit 1t is believed
that this principle is founded in wisdom Justice That
which has given to this institution its eminent character
is its high scientific standing Its reputation in this respec
is not national merelyit is Worldwide for the gradu
ates of this school have commanded the respect and dis
ncton OF every enlightened nation with regard
those of service strictly scientific 1t cannot
doubted that the distinction which they have gained for
themselves and the honor they have for their country
have their foundation essentially in the scientific bases
upon which their military education has been founded
The board would earnestly suggest therefore great
caution In any change which should in the least degree
depecate the high scientific character of the academy 1t
should DO ios carefully preserved and maintained and
if possible elevated.
He difeets the academic exercises His position should
give prominence the main acterstc basis Of the
sttuton, and his personal qualifications should be such
to command the confidence and respect of those who
trained for all the branches of the public service.
With these principles eey directing the administration
of the academy it ia the opinion OF the board that the
corps Of the army present organized officers possess
ing the necessary qualifications for this special service may
be obtained from all the scientific corps and they per-
suaded that the efficiency of the academy may be greatly
promoted by extending the rdrge Of selection for its super
ntenden to give the academy the advantage OF their
services but they would earnestly press upon the d.
parment the importance of subordinang in this selec-
ton, military and administrative talents, the essential
Of scientific character.
The successful Issue Of the late has had tendency
give prominence the military element the neglect
or depreciation of the Of success viz The
discipline Of the mind in the scientific trimming
the Military Academy. How the present restrictive rule
may be removed without sacrifice 10 the institution they
fully prepared say, unless 1t may be done by
eonnDg the nspectorshp TO the chief Of the corps Of eng
neer present. and by such legal conditions shall
limit the those graduates OF the academy who
belong 10 any of the scientific corps and who the
time possess the highest military and administrative qua
tiles Or considering the rapidly nereasiug boundars
Of extended country and tbe need OF all The
Of genius and Of the military Seffioe which
gard to its full defence may demand il To The board
alternative proposition, viii may distant day
be found absolutely necessary and which would solve the
chief difficulty this complicated question: Establish
another Military Academy with special reference the
cessties Of those Of the military service strictly
scientific while this academy shall be exelusvey appro
prsted TO the preparation Of officers Of the scientific curs
The board have sensible that the subjects usru
ton here have been much crowded that the
and attention given to the military exercises have
rally inleer.d with that properly due the scien-
t6c OF the acadymy lois Easy divert the youth
fu mind by the attractive duties of he cavalry aud att
lery drills from the labor Of the student lite aud wht
they thus made the eye Of the casual observer be
soldiers, they really less efficient the her and
important demands Of the military servce The suyges
ton bears the prestige Of the example OF European service
aud my he worthy Of consideration
Watcher either Of the recommendations be carried out
not II Is considered essential the board that
rank cf colonel be assigned the superintendent Thin
measure would remove a difficulty which has hequenty
existed and which presents anomaly In the military
vice. important be avoided Of command being exercised
by The superintendent over officers II higher military rank
Considering also the position Of the superintendent
commanding officer Of post much visited BY distiu-
guished strangers the board would further recommend
that the pay and emoumen Of the
pond with those Of q colonel Of cavalry.
AZ connected with the above subject the board are
opinion that an made in law which estab-
shed an equality Of academic rank among the professors
Of The academy Seniority Of commission is just and
may b. the only safe rule for the military service but in
an academic hoard controlling essentially scientific
school these departments strictly scientific should I've
kept hey originally were subordinate tho scientific
departments of The academy.