Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-07-02

| I'd aHord tnat moral and religious culture neces-
sary and proper to be impaired to young men,
Inc various notifications of the course of study
| made from time to time have imposed upOn
| this department English Grammar, Geography.
History, Rhetoric, Elocution, International and
Constitutional Law, the Constitution of the
United States, and Logic. The Board is fully
| persuaded that the great evil TO be remedied
cannot be reached by mere amendments. but
that revision and reorganization of the whole
| course and system of instruction is necessary,
III accordance with one enlightened and com
prehensive idea
With regard to the kind of knowledge i'm
| parted, and its adaptation to the ends to be
attained the Board have conferred freely 70.
gether, and in forming our opinions have of
course avalled ourselves Of such previous refec-
ton as various circumstances have enabled us
to bestow upon some Of the branches of study
| embraced in the course
Without entering here upon critical or de-
| tailed discussion of the merits of many of the
text books now used at the Academy the Board
are constrained to say that those used upon the
| subjects OF Chemistry, Geology, Logic Moral
Science, History, and Constitutional Law are
not In our Judgment adapted in arrangement
and character to the course and method proper
to be pursued at this institution.
In reference to the changes which the ad
vanced condition Of military science and the
various circumstances peculiar to our country
| required In the system of engineering now
taught at the Academy, the Board beg leave to
recommend with entire approval the paper pre-
pared and submitted to our body by First Lieut.
James st. Z. Morton, of the Engineer Corps
who Is Acting Assistant Professor of Military
and Civil Engineering at the Academy, and we
respectfully request that it may bespublished
with, and appended to, this report its excel
lent cOmmon-sense views commended it at once
to the approval of the Board whilst by one men,
Der OF our body at least, it was received and
recognized as the able exposition of an idea by
them long entertained, and often a subject of
discussion In the engineering branch of the ser
| vice.
We are fully persuaded that the best interests
OF this institution and of the army at large re-
quires a careful and liberal consideration of
the subJect.matter of the paper referred to- and
that the spirit of reform which it exhibits, can
not fall In ITS general application to produce the
most beneficial results to the public service.
- Before indicating the measures which the
Board Will recommend to carry out the reforms
herelnbefore suggested, and a military Organi-
zatlon tor the Academy which we propose il
mfy be proper to report upon other matters of
comparatively less Importance connected with
| the Institution.
| The Demern System.
This Is another subject which has received the
careful consideration of the Board and we
respectfully recommend that it shall be modi-
ned In accordance with the plan submitted by
MAJOR Deiafield to the Adjutant General on
January 9th, 1871, with an additional feature
requiring record to be kept and published un-
der distinct heads, SO that conduct and intel
lectuai standing may appear according to sepa-
rate footings. If, however, the recommendation
which we hereafter make in reference to a gem
eral revising board be responded to- the amend
ment OF the demerit system would properly
come within scope of their duties.
appointments.
Ii Is our opinion that the number of appoint
ms nts ho,
senator In Congress the privilege of a nomina-
ton The very considerable loss suffered under
| any circumstances by every entering class
would thus be compensated for BY this means
the number of Cadets constantly under instruc-
ton would approach more nearly that which the
law establishes In theory, and the whole power
| OF the Academic Board be brought into reauisi-
tion. We recommend also that certificate of
| good physical condition shall be required from
| the nearest army or navy surgeon before the
| applicant shall be permitted to present himself
| at the Academy tor admission as Cadet.
Health, Police dc.
| The Board are satisfied from the renort of
the special committee upon this subject that no
essential changes are necessary in the present
| arrangements in this department; and that
eihclent skillful, and proper attention is be-
slowed by those in authority. Improvements
| IN the bathing arrangements of the Cadets
hospital are very necessary, and ought to be
made without delay.
THE L,brary
| The Library OF the Academy is remarkably
| complete in the collection of works in the exact
sciences and the military art. but is deficient in
Engilsh classical literature, ethical philosophy
&c.
| Prtrtfeges of Cadets.
Without entering upon this subject generally
In this place, in the expectation that it will re-
! celve the attention to which it may be entitled
hereafter, we cannot refrain from recommend
ing that Cadets shall be allowed the privilege
of visiting their own immediate families i'm case
OF death or dangerous sickness, upon evidence
OF the fact satisfactory to the Superintendent
We find, too, that the library privileges of the
| Cadets are very limited. They are only allowed
to draw books from it on Saturday afternoon, to
be returned on Monday morning. This re-
stricted use Of the library is perhaps in some
degree necessary, in view of the amount of time
required If the Cadet to attend to his studies
and exercises. We do not hesitate to disap-
prove it, but at the same time regard it as an
evil in some sort incident to the present system
Of instruction and discipline.
Fiscal Afairs.
In reference to this subject the Board are sat
ished with the system upon which the finances
| OF the Academy are eadmnistered-the accounts
of Cadets kept, &c.-all the requisite informa-
tion upon this head is already in possession of
the Department and we have not considered it
necessary, therefore, to append it to this re-
port
With regard to the insuficiency Of the Cadets
Commons the Board have ordered q note to be
addressed to the Superintendent, and it is there
fore unnecessary to allude to it further in this
place.
General administrations
The Board deem it their duty to suggest a
change in the military organization of the Acad-
emy in accordance with tie following plan
LIST. A Superintendent appointed, as at pres
ent, from the Engineer Corps, with the local
rank Of Colonel, and such annual salary as the
exigencies of his position require. This officer
TO have immediate military and civil govern
ment of the institution, and to be responsible
for its correct management
ID A Commander Of the Garrison to be ap-
pointed from the Army with the local rank of
Lieutenant Colonel. This officer to command
the whole military force of the post, including
the corps of Cadets, and to be subject to the
order of the Superintendent. He shall not be
entitled to a seat Mt the Academic Board except
| | in Of fha disob hso ri