The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-22

the world exist there is no fvoritism exercised in the
appointment of cadets to the military schools la one
after West Point the superintendent and professors at
which graduates OF West Point has been for nearly
twenty years successful existence, where board of ys
or annually select from several hundred applicants for
admission those best qualified to repay the State for the
money expended on their education.
The result of this course, if pursued at this institution
would be the selection of the abest youths of the land
for the army without regard to their social rank, po
cal influence condition In life and the graduation Of
nearly all those who annually admitted to West Point
as cadets.
DscrrdSk.
The existing regulations for the government of the In
stuon are, in the opinion of the board, eminently
cated TO produce the results aimed at Their tendency
is 10 prevent or punish all negects disorders misbcha
yio or immoraltes of which the cadets may he guilty
dsallow everything to the prejudice Of good order and
military discipline
In discipline no arbitrary despotism be exercised
over the cadet by the regulations alluded TO- each
month the parent guardian OF the cadet is Informed Of
his conduct whether the has been mertoTious or
otherwise Like information il communicated to the
War Department. Ii punishment rcprnand has been
awarded the naine of the offender the offence, and its
punishment also specially reported each month II
cadet shall consider himself wronged BY another or by
any officer of the academy he has right to complain TO
the Superintendent and II the proper redress is refused
| he may appeal TO the War Department.
The duties Of the cadet well those of the officers
of the institution prescribed known and we'll under
against Under such system the discipline cannot be
despotic.
On the whole the board believe the system of govern
ment highly conducive to the training of the cadets in
the duties Of the accomplished soldier. They find
high state Of discipline to exist among them This is the
best commentary the cxceency of the rules and reg
ulations for the government of the institution and the
efficiency Of the officers by whom they enforced.
The police arrangements of the Academy merit the APP
L a. o.J
of the cadet exhibited that not incompatible
with the discipline of the institution.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.
The board after careful survey are pleased to ex-
press their satisfaction with the and attention paid
to the preservation neatnes and healthy condition of
the public buildings and grounds We would however,
suggest that much has already grown and
may continue to grow out of the subject Of assigning
quarters to the different members of the academic and
military staff at the Academy. The difficulty is that
involves the comfort and harmony Of all parties mme
datey concerned and it is most desirable that some
should be adopted by which it may be obviated
Under the existing arrangement, only certain portion
of the academic board have quarters assigned them by
the superintendent while all other officers duty at the
post choose their quarters according to their respect
i've army rank. In consequence of this. many junior
professors and instructors Of high attainmcnts and of in
valuable service to the institution confined with their
families in quarters entirely inadequate to their
able wants. We commend, therefore, for considera
ton whether these Inconvenience should be remeded
by increase of quarters or by change In the present
method Of assigning them. Whether the ono or the
other mode shall be adopted convinced that the
subject should receive early and practical attention
The board would also recommend that appropria
ton be made by Congress to light with gas the riding
hall connected with the institution. During the short
days of winter the exercises in cavalry tactics at the
close of the academic hours Of study, must account
of the darkness be greatly neglected, unless place
other than the battle-ground is provided for practical
instruction Inc educational wants Of cadets, and, in
the eoft institution that the
now allotted 10 the theoretical departments should not
be encroached upon and in however an attractive form
the practice may present itself distinct from theory
experience teaches that the should not be scrcd at
the Expense of the other Deemng it, then, unadvisale
limit the standing course of studies at the academy il
is desirable that during the winter suitable place
should be provided where that portion of each day may
be occupied in receiving practical instruction in cavalry
tactics which might not otherwise DO SO usefnlly en-
| ployed.
AFFAIRS.
| In examining the fiscal affairs of the Military Ac,dc-
my the board were offered every facility by the depart
mcnts entrusted with the disbursement Of the annual
appropriations made by Congress for the benefit of the
institution The accurate and methodca system adopted
by these departments is worthy of all praise and light
cned not little the laors of the board Everything
there is constantly administered in most praiseworthy
manner while every dollar expended is subjected to a
constant watchfunes aud made to bring its full value,
under the rule of economy which pcrvadcs these and
other departments of the institutions. Ii this were not 10
it would DO impossible to conduct such institution
thoroughly and efficiently upon small annual APP
preparation appropriation exceedingly limited when
compared with the variety and multiplicity of the objects
| dependant upon it,
The financial system pursued with tho cadctstbe nu-
erous but necessary checks that nterposed in the
expenditure Of such moneys may be deposited Their
! admission, together with their monthly paythe re-
quircmen Of keeping accurate systematzed account
of all their expenses most admirably calculated to
cure them from imposition while they thus easily
taught the strctest economy in the management Of Their
fly oA
to their check books of the extent of their
the objects which prudence requires they should appo
pirate it, The habit of economy thus learned here teaches
that prudence in the management of their affairs, with
out which very often, all other atanmens obscured
or rendered wholly useless and without which
but little suited for the simplicity and salutay equality
which are not only taught by, but result practically
from our institutions. The cadets therefore, by such
system learn lessons of order and economy that become
| Of the utmost value to them in after life, and
| which have already distinguished the graduates
| of this academy, that the experiment of making
| them the discussing agents of the government OF
its public works has been emnenty successful AND
is doubtless from this that they present the
celent example Of having disbursed millions OF the public
/ funds without dollars defalcation The lessons O
order and economy taught here thus render them nval
liable agents of the government and viii compensate
the nation in this regard alone for the very mod
i crate expenditure incurred In their education.
BY the act of February 10th, 1857 the following wer
the appropriations for the support of the Military Acad
envy, viz.
For pay Of officers, instructors, cadets and
musiclans- ---------------- SJl, IO
Communication of subsistence ----- 2,O4.
Forage for officers horses So