The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-25

sistsns and their own labors arc materially dimnishsd
by those Of oompetent adjunct profs ssors
70 the interests OF the country and the xitsy Anie@
than the ffequept changes In The Person~e o. ms A
appoiDtmen. prevails which seems h.ys No, y, sos
sliShtest refer 70 the attachments ana qushnoS" m
the - ssant professor g INSTRUCTOR sr. i,st,tutou
after mooths' furough is ordered 70 tne Iroo
tier where he spends Ave or ak years Win no
which he reooys% - becomes yeaI
msnds Of The service in New Mexico or Washington Tor
ritory tempt the young officer 70 pursue MA mAsneman-
CA and sn OcV 81 The nsSs
q any moment 10 be assigned 70 duty rs sststant In
structor at west Point Upless person Of unusual
talents and prodgous memory be returns 10 the acade
my NOT half familiar with the studies OF the instu
ton a. when he LEFT il ~ young graduate. Years
oS he subjects Of instruction ntrustsd 70 hs he is
required teach what In point Of fact he does not kaow
70 instruct whore he needs instruction He is there
fore not unfrequeny incubus rather than IN assistant
OF the principal professor He own Information Is OBJ
tanned by crammng and Is too crude to valuable 70 his
rssor has by intense overcome the dissdvan-
tsges uoder which he abors appointed, and begin.
TO be useful and valuable to the academy, he ordered
away other post and his place supplied by some
ocer fresh from the rough service OF the frontier When
recoeced that the cadets Of the junior classes youths
patient Instruction. are taught maaiy by the assistant
professor tho evils OF the existing system and the ueces
sty OF some such q N se Oy
the Board be evidon 70 those familiar WITH the sys
OF instruction II this institution. We have also made
many inquiries and feel assured that our views meet
with the cordial approval Of those possessing the largest
experience and intelligent appreciation Of the wants
Of the institution.
AppoIsrxxNr OF CADETS.
The attention or this, of many former boards vas
directed that OF the eighty ninety new cadets
who annually admitted at this institution rarely more
than Que third graduate. The government, In conse-
quence of the difference bet ~eon the number or adms
SONS ana graduates incurs annually large and utterly
mem ~so eP ons Or two spent 4 the Military
Academy, either dismissed required to resign 10
consequence Of alleged inca acy 70 master the course
the country How 70 relieve tue government or this
annual expenditure, from which no advantage derived
and also how avoid the modification which tho failure
Of 90 large number Of young carries home 10 20
many families and frienos In every section Of the Union
are subjects well deserving ana .ssenson
DISMISSED for msconduct 10 the violation OF the
laws for the government OF the academy Those who
cannot maintain . respectable standing IN their
classes ana have from failures at reel alton received toe
fatal number of dement's, required to leave Mental
ncspacity and ignorance, which the OF poverty
ana neglect early youth although their
effects ~ al institution OF lesrniog ike tns cassed
amongst offences rne present method OF appoint nsnt
secures for West Point large aud never failing supply
OF the material OF which such onsuces' are made
wise discretion is rarely ever, exercised N the no
minssion Of cadets a appointment by the President In
q,iries are seldom respecting the talents ednca
and peculiar mccall hress Of those who are nominated
Personal fr,ene ship, and sti frequently p,lihca
conrot those who possess the p,weT OF
nomina Ion for appointment. Hence t happens that
large number of cadets have moi the requisite
qualifications for this at any other college Ia
the unicn where graduation 10 not matter OF course
payment Of fees for maricuston. May csndi
admission present themselves Who are ignorant
OF the elements OF ~ouca,on We deere merely 10 gene
raj terms, recommend some chxuge IN the existing
system, leaving 10 more able and experienced men TO
work out the Desired reform. The ded from winch 70
select cadets should be enlarged by allowing larger
number Of candidates for admission than are now allowed
rne controlling object of the government should be to
invite competition emcng the youths Of each Congressional
district .or these piiz,s wen vscAoSy ocsuss con
OF cadet should be- denied the privilege OF be-
coming Candidate for admission The preseat elise
borough method OF nom.oatu has reference TO the
taenis merits Of the youth who receives the Appoint
ment The people would feel tina. they had substantial
tangible In the Ct this military school, did
the father Of every promising boy hs; his son.
superior to hs compel TORE would win toe prizs Of an
honorable position 10 the army. The prejudces nov ex
stpg sgans West Point in many sections OF the repabbc
would disappear, IL should cease 70 be an institution
where the power OF nomination entirely In the hands OF
politicians
rs the boat OF government that fostars taert
ana invitet competition for ell ooers OF tho republic As
lar a. the seestcn OF officers army sconcerncd,
there truth IA this theory There is no FAIR aud tuii
Competition for the cAdai a2pontmsns there 10 no rec
renee .ns large majority q instances 70 the
meris liberal snd democrats thSs cur own In the
method OF appointing ca e's for the srny
The sagacity aud m.srS exDGreDce " other countes
have long snsot them the i'm porancs OF securing
by generous corpeticn, tue very best talent fof ms
sa ,nmss, If car se,er,,oa ,Iwsvs fsII
.ro'n .s s , =, ,as "a re.,srn ron,hs +,
rn co. ,,s,s,.a vs.,a ~ ars, ,niirv ,rh,oIs AZ
~ ts 80, ,hs - - 70 favor,s, eyeycssd In the
se =, $500 - ~ ,,,,,,.~ schoo,s ~ ono al
~, So, =, ,n,s 80, Na-,,i .shoo ns,cala, s,sr
w. -. 49,. ars n-otssta~. 4. .a,c,
graduates West Poiot has been ior nssry tSens7
years surcsssfu existence, whore beard OF visiiors
ami Nv seect fron several hu1dred applicants for
rois,,or .nose bot quanei 10 repay toe Sae Tor
mos ey expended on insir edi ,a,Su
The rosuL Of this curse If pursued n this ossution,
would be the selection CT toe aod yca ne OF ae isnd
for the army, shout regHd " thsf eoN ra1k, poucl
cal iDfoence or cOu1ncn 10 LIE, aod the gfauatoo OF
pesriy ali those Tho are annually admitted 10 West Point
as cadets
DISCIPLINE
The exciting regulations for toe soEernment OF tos In
stituton are IN the opioon Of Tue 40 eneoNs CAV
lated TO produce tie results sne1 a. Ioet 'eaneacf "
10 prevent or puais1 AL nes elects dsooers, risoenavi
immoiaes O. Witch the cadets mag DC suiiI TO d's'
ALLOW hpg 70 the pfoJuaoo OF sood OF Ter sod mid