New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-29
PROPOSED REFORMS At WEST POINT.

The Commission appointed a, the last session Of Cor
gress TO examine the organza n, discipne andsysssn
Of Instruction Of the West Point Military Academy DO
not propose any radical change in the organization Of
the Academy or programme Of Instructions, bat male
the following suggestions and observations:
In recurring the Superintendent 10 be selected from
the cOrre of engineers the law permits him 70 re-
tain bis eommis,ion but does not extend the Sane priv
iege 10 other army officers. tits pro2osed 10 aohsb
this discrimination and 10 compensate for e surrender
of the army commission by continuing the salary after
twenyi years Of faithful servie-in the form Of
pension.
Itbproposed to limit the number Of cadets at iaree
10 ten The number, ss now liked BY law, " n0 less
than en" II Il also proposed 70 increase the number
OF cadets 10 two from each State In addition To tore
now appointed in consideration of the increased num-
Der Of elaiees.
II il propOeed 10 substitute for the annual Board Of
visitorr Commission, committing Of senator Repro
sentative, two officers Of the army distinguishes Tor
scientific and practical military knowledge, and two
civilians distinguished for mathematical and physical
tcience. ni
Under the head of "Disipliue," the Commission
propose that when question : rsised Is 70 reports o.
Of Cadets shall report TO tie Superintendent, whose
duty il shall be SUMMON court TO investigate the
matter. No cadet is 10 be required TO sign eerrase
as 10 the manner In which he has performed ms dsy
The accommodations If the students are probomced
deficient in comfortable rooms good clothing and sea-
sopabe food. The rooms ave 60 cold in Winter a. 10
drive cadets from their books 70 bed: The time oil
sleep ellowed-feyen howS for portion OF the year
IL not sufficient Not leee Van eight hours ought 70 De
allowed Rt all seasons. -
TIE commons" Is declared very poor, the food
being inputrtious, badly dressed, and insafheient
Nine dollars month il allowed for the messing Of On
dets Tw eve dollars ought to lie the allowance Ihis
includes expenses Of purveyor cooks, servants, anf
table furniture. As remedy, it Is proposed 70 make
tie ConmaDdant of Cadets responsible for the con-
mons under the title of Inspector.
Under the head of "Con6iii n Of Instsnctioni 8
want of thoroughpess 10 the lower class is remarked
Tie deficiency Is chiefly 10 those branches OF physcI
science which are taught in the language Of the higher
mathematics.
The Commission, for fear that it might exclude the
SOM of the poor &C.. do not propose TO remedy tis
evil by raising the standard Of sdmrsion, but TO
Tie first year year Of raining and bet the question OF
the cadets remsiniDg through the course depend on
the results of Il is 6rft years study.
They have arranged tie programme Of instruction
go as to for the first clas the whole OF the en-
campment. and the months Of September and Octo-
Der for instruction In the held In practical engineer
ing Reodesy topography and reconnaissance, and ~
additional department Of instruction TO effect the
plan. No fuIlough 10 be allowed during the months
indicated
of Natural Philosophy and the Library, especially m
n department Of entertaining and general teratnra
The cadets ought 10 be allowed TO take books from the
library TO their rooms .se
instruction from FIVE years to four However desirons
to reduce the time Of the Professors could sug-
gest an sbidgement Of the time devoted 70 his depart
Hent of study They all wished additions TO their
couraes. French and Spanish both Languages which
ought to be thoroughly tau bt and cannot be dpsssed
with. Books The art Of war are chiefly written m
French and there peculiar reasons In the crcum-
stances of our country demanding familiarity with
Rrapsb in our officers IT. Commission also object,
for already indicated to raising the standard Of
instruction.
sion submit ill, Of which the following Is en- ez-
tract:
caees and tie course OF studies shall be arranged 20
that they thal continue and be completed In i've The
year shall be divided into two academic terms, with an
interval, for the purpose Of encampment.
The fifth class shah lie instructed in mathcmatics 10
the English language and geography, in the French
language and in the Of small arms and gymnastics
The fourth class shall be instructed In matbeasies
in the French Language, In drawing In the use OF small
The third clare shall BE- instructed ia mechanics,
pbyrics and astronomy, in chemistry, 10 drawing, IN
tie EnRlAh LANGUAGE. and riding.
The second class sball he instructed IN civil ard mir
tary engineering, in mineralogy and geology, and
Ihysa geography, in logic, rhetoric and ethics, In
tactics Of cavalry artillery, and infantry, In army cd
ministtioD, and the veterinary art In ordnance and
gunnery, and in riding. ---.----
The rst class shall be instruered In practical ene
neeng, in practical geOdesy, astronomy topography,
and military law and history; The science Of war;
in the Spanish language, and in riding. During the
encsmT meDt, and the months of September and 0ctO
Der, when not on duty officers, they shall receive
practical field instruction IN those brsnchesi and for
that purpose may be allowed from time 10 time, under
the instructor of the ssssants to make excur
lions into the neighboiing country.