The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-30
WEST POINT 44CADEMY.--APPOLNTA or
CADETS
rExrac, from the Report Of tho Board Of ylsi,orsl

Extract from the Report Of tho Eoard Of visors.]
The attention Of this as of many former Boards was
directed to the that of the large number of ca
diets who are annually admitted at this institution rarely
more than half graduate. The government, in
sequence of the difference between the number Of admis
sios and graduates ncus annually large and utterly
expense in the maintenance OF young gentle
men who, after two years spent at the Military
Academy either dismissed required to resign in
sequence Of their alleged ncapacy to master the Of
studies designed to prepare them for military usefulness
to the country How relieve the government of this
annual expenditure from which advantage is derived
and also how to avoid the modification which the failure
of 80 large number of young men carries home to
many families and friends in every section of the Union
are subjects we'll deserving consideration and attention
large majority of the cadets who fail to graduate are
not dismissed for misconduct in the violation OF the laws
and police regulations tor the Of the Acade
my Those who cannot maintain respectable standing in
their classes and who have from failures recitation re-
ceiycd the fatal number Of demers required leave
Mental incapacity and that ignorance which is the result
poverty and neglect in early YOUTH not crimes al
though their effects at an institution Of learning like
this cIassed amongst offences The present method of a
pontrent for West Point large and never fail
ing supply of the material out of which such otences
made wise discretion is rarely If ever, exercised
in the nomination OF cadets for appointment by the Pres
dent Inquiries seldom made respecting the talents
education and peculiar mental fitness of those who are
nominated Personal friendship and still more frequent
y political consideration, control those who possess tho
power of nomination for appointment. Hence IL hap
pens that large Humber Of the cadets have not
the requisite qualifications at this other
college in the Union where graduation is not matter OF
after tie payment OF ices for marculaton Many
candidates for admission present themselves who are IT,
norant of the elements of education We desire merely
in general TERMS to recommend change In the cx-
sting system leaving to more able and experienced
men to work out the desired reform, The field from
which select cadets should I've enlarged By allowing
larger number of candidates for admission than are now
allowed by law.
The controlling object of the government should be
invite competition among the youths each congress
sona district for these prizes When vacancy occurs
in congressional district, boy ambitious of oh,
tanning the appointment Of cadet sould be denied the
privilege Of becoming candidate for admission At
West Point. The present y close borough method
Of nomination has reference whatever to the tai
cnts merits Of the youth who receives the an
pontmcnt The people would feel that they had y
substantial tangible interest tho success of this mill
ry school did the father Of every promising boy know
that his son. If superior to his compctito would win
the prize Of an honorable position in the army The
preudces existing against West Point In many Sec
tons of the rcpg&c would disappear IL II should
TO be aa institutb whore the power Of nomination II
entirely In the hands of politicians.
1t il the b0ast of that It fosters talent
and invites competition for all officers Of the republic
As far the selection Of officers for tho army
ccrned thcrs il truth in this theory There Is in the
congressional districts fair aud full competition for
the cadet appointments There is reference in the
large majority OF instances to the intelligence and merits
of the cadets We far behind governments less
liberal md democratic than in the method Of
appointing cadets for the army.