The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-06
INTERESTING STATISTICAL INFORMATION.
&C.. DC, DO.

1t was not very generally known In the city Yesterday
that the Hon simon Cameron Secretary of War would
leave New York for West Point on visit Of inspection
OF tho United States Military Academy, located at
that place. The resolve was which tho
honorable gentleman had formed q long time
ago, but the multifarous and constantly in
creasing duties OF his responsible Office have hitherto
prevented him from carrying ont his design Cooncl
Beaumont the Superintendent of the West Point Academy,
has also lie long the Secretary Of war at
the institution, and knowing that he was coming TO Now
York. on his TO Albany, he took tho opportunity
press the matter the attention OF the honorable gentle
man. Mr.. Cameron thereupcn decided to spend tho
greater part of one day in visitation Of tho institution
and an inspection Of tho Cadets tho urgent demand on
his time not permitting him to remain there longer.
All the arrangements having been completed Mr. Came
left the Aston House yesterday quarter to eleven
o'clock NJ in private carriage and pancd by his
two amabo daughters and number Of friends proceeded
to the Hudson River Railroad depot, at the foot of Cor
landt street special set aside for the party
and the unusual assemblagc Of brgadiers majors and
colone,s eseortng crowd of fashionable ladies' all occu
plying select car led to the idea that somebody Of
consequences on board. Those who knew something
about the matter went about telling others
who composed the party, and those who knew
nothing went about the platform in mysterious man
ner pokng their everywhere 10 find out something
or the other. Not long after the cars had started it
began to DO whispered about that General Cameron and
all the heads of the Departments were on board in
GLIDING Secretaries Seward and Chase; but In this
as in many things else, the quidnuncs wcrc
entirely of the scent, rs neither of the latter
gentlemen among the party At all the sta
tions along the line the passengers evinced their
curiosity by watching the movements Of every person
that left the lest by any chance the Secretary Of
War should slip away nnobservod But the grand CLIMAX
Of popular curiosity not reached until the ar
rived at West Point On tho coming stand sth
at tho station known as tho Garrison there was n
sudden opening Of windows and popping ont of
heads to catch glimpse Of the distinguished
party. The in which the Secretary travelled was
and the various persons composing his party
alighted they ha to pass along the whole line OF
reach the depot thus ardng all tho passengers AN ex
ceent opportunity OF seeing the different ladios and
Secretary Cameron was accompanied by Adjutant
General Thomas and a number Of military officers
The honorable gentleman looked hale and hearty
perfect type of the true American g,ntle
On his smiling features were clearly dclinca,ei
ma ks Of resolution and decision, and, looking at
him. one would fat 10 recognise what he himself mas
drclarc,;that o Is of words of az tnnsor
be afraid 70 conie to his care the gigantic interests
War Department which he now holds in his hands Every
hal lifted hc passed along, but there were no
cheer NOR utroar OF Any kind Nothing but the silent
admraon OF an intelligent people, understanding tho
great questions ut ISSUE and approaching ~ the fullest
extent the difficulties and Importance Of tho responsible
Office held by the Senator who thus unostcnltiousy
passing before them
Leaving the cars the whole party right merry mood
advanced towards steamboat that was in req rss to
convey them 10 the other side OF the river The boat was
gaily dressed with hags in honor Of the ocrasion
while waiting for the pilot and engineer ito
craft the usual presentations and intro luations took
pace. We will here give the names Of the original
party that left New York, it would b. impossible
10 enmcrats all those who afterwards added to it.
and first in order we will rlace the ladies'
The twa Misses Cameron.
The two Misses Birnsdc
Mrs Lieutenant Thomas, daughter n-law Of Adutant
Gene nj Thomas.
Miss Th ~, rangifcr OF Adjltant General Thomas.
The two misses king, daughters Of Professor King, o.
Columbia College
Misses Williams.
Mrs. Norris.
Mrs IT. Van Rensselaer,.
Miss Van Rensselaer,.
Mrs Toisen, wife OF General Totem
Miss Totten.
The gentlemen we're
The Hon. Simon Cameron.
Adj Itant General Thomas.
Genera! Tot,en.
General Van Welt Of General McClellan's staff
Major Cameron, son OF the Secretary Of War.
Mr.. Cameron.
General stephen Van Rensselaer, late chief of General
Scot's stat.
Lieutenant Van Rensselaer,.
Capaia Neil, Of Governors Island New York.
Ma on Cii;z Of Fort Hamilton, New Yak.
Ce.oncl Cuilum, of the Coast Survey.
Mr.. Morris.
Mr. Mcclure and
Mr. Mnrwin
on arriving the landing place the West Point side
Colonel Angur, commandant Of the Corps Of Cadets, and
denny accompanied by number OF other officers sur
geos found on the dock waiting 70 receive the
party Carriages also in attendance and the ladies'
having been comfortably seated iho wnlo party moved
to the camp grounds above. Hre the cadets
drawn up in line, and rs the ladies and gentlemen wont
by they salitcd in fine order rosng salnte WAS fired
by tho artillery corps st as the Secretarys carriage
passed along the parade ground, and every denonstra
tion of respect was exhibited.
The party nrst Of all proceeded TO the West Point
Hotel where informal legeo bold for the presen
tatioi OF such persons as were DESTROYS Of knowing
yCup,a tifmn hptvr
AMI three O'Clock exceedingly pleasant the Secretary
entering readily into conversation with overy in
very familiar hearing ana laughing at good and
bal jokes ana letting Oh some gooa ones hlse as occa
sion permitted. very subs tantial lunch served
aa s' aho we're % ncne 1 to nartats hs Of
il. Secretary Cameron sat at the head of The table, AMI
in lew moments all the other seats wore occupied ~
the ladies' The regular walters OF the hotel Suddenly
found their occupation gore, for the brgadiers and
colones with eagles and gold lace all over their shout
ders would permit anybody but themselves 10 wait
on tina ladies' aud even IN this th.re considerable
rivalry who should oicate for most young ladies' IL
be confessed that thor service did not tend TO ina
prove tho reputation OF tho establishment for the
s as Jansiei tic thig altSrether There we're
tine to touch morsc, and setting down haifa turkey
where ony slice was wanted, and other enTctenIs too
numerous 10 mentions as the advertisers say:
While the review is being prepared a1 sle lunch "
being discussed 1t would perhaps be well 10 offer afew
reflections the West Point Military Academy IL
stands and supply some interesting information the
.
Congress will meet, and when Il docs il pre-
s,nned Lbr committee On Military Affairs will bring for
w4fd sutne mea-re intended 70 affect tra Academy in
manner ana ~ extent yet unknown. But
\ Ito TACT IS that esslaton ia neelel except
10 Sustain The agents representatives OF tho
| government ly the power Of law against political in
igenee rought to bear Grun the powers that be at
Washington In the past, political influence has not only
nterrcred with the progress q the institution " a
| marked extent, but Il has rendered the duties Of the
professors arduous than necessary and kept in the
casses bunderhsaG" 70 the exclusion of better young
men. The government has literally endowed the insti-
tuition, ond surely IL entitled 70 the best material,
moral, physical and mental, that the country
affords ami 1t een have il only the right course II
pursued. Cases occur whcro found after evory
reasonable means have been resorted TO- that cadets
have NOS the capacity on tasta desire TO grasp the
great and essential point. Il military science In con
sedlonce 81 th% dencsroy, the board vots that yuch
eadet cadets be dismissed and send their decision v
Washington - have il complied with. on this
Interested party and his friends made Of such
procedure. Immediately the latter set about raising
sympathy at homo, and eventually proceed 70 Washing
va, backed bya pyramid q political influence; .oof
and obtain audience with 1le 2ccretary run dowr
the officers and professors and IN proportion th
boy and the dnao Of the matter j. that the rccommen
dation of the board is ignored and the goes
laundering through one thing and another scarcely