New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-07-31
REORGANIZATION Al WEST POINT

The bill for the reorganization Of TIE Wet
Point Academy, introduced into the House of
Representatives by Mr.. Co,odc, aud now before
the Committee on Military Affairs, is presented
in another column. 1t pIcSides for the fullest
equipment Of tie school with teachers in every
branch Of technical military knowledge, and in
the correlative branches of learning. The sue
ccssiul graduate might be presumed 10 be
not only an expert ia the tactics Of war, but
also proficient IN the sciences OF matter, and
in the lighter accomplishments Of letters and art.
He should be Philosopher, Gymna.t, Poet, and
Warrior; be should handle the broadswOrd and
the crnyon and The pen with equal ease; he
should have thorough insight into the strata Of
toe earth, the CALDER of guns, and the rules Of
rhy tim. OF course all tie instructors win be
chosen with strict regard to their qualifications,
and viii bring their diplomas from the field Of
hard training if not of actual service. The Pres
ident, with the cooperation Of the United States
Military Academy Commission, and OF the Sccre-
tary of War, has discretionary power to appoint
and 10 remove these officers, and due provision
is made that no posts can ever remain vacant
we are glad to observe that the reorganization
partially reaches the method of their appoint
ment. We have before urged the Importance of
q radical change in the terms OF admission to
the Academy. Ii needs no argument to prove
that, at this great martial epoch in the history
of the country, when We Lave Just begun to up.
precinte the necessity of scholars, il not Swans
h. 4
litical OF personal influence should weigh in tic
selection Of pupils for our leading military school
We have adopted the terms Of the French sys-
ten of war, and even get our degrees OF rank
in the service from their manual; but We have
hitherto refused to base our education upon
French foundations. Unaided dulness will not
ADM, hoy into the EeoIe PoIytechniqw, that
splendid training field Of the nation of lnyincible
soldiers. His natural capacity for military life
his apiness at learning, and his proficiency in
the ordinary branches OF education, arc all there
carefully examined
Spch examination will be the duty of the Com.
mission named. And yet their functions would
seem not to extend to actual candidates for ad-
mission, appointed, as before, from each Congress
sional District State, and Territory expect IN
the ono direction Of their physical competency.
Mr.. CoyOde's bill provides for m examination OF
candidates for any vacancy. that may occur by
graduation, dismissal or otherwise, by a Com
mission to be appointed in the district where the
vacancy occurs. Unless we misunderstood the
terms Of the bill, what is strictly set down for
the United States Military Academy Commission
to do il to examine yearly the condition Of the
Academy. We think rigid examination OF candl-
dates in the fret instance urgently demanded,
and this is not guaranteed The other adpirabIe
details of the reorganization will commend them
selves but it cannot BE- too s;rebuously insisted
that any bill Of this Kind lacks head and life if
it is wanting in precise provision for this pri'
mary need.
Tho old evil stands firm. 10 should not DO
within the power of any Member of Congress,
Senator, or Governor, 70 place favorife IN the
classes Of West Point. GUARANTEES are needed
OF tho loyalty Of the candidate TO the ConStitu-
ton of his country, ns well as Of his itness by
past education for the high discipline and culture
of tho Military Academy. These cannot be fur
pished if choice is the simple result Of per-
sonal favoritsm. They must be secured. ~ VIC
have said hefnre ut Judgment seat OUTSIDE OF
political atmosphere and the tests Of true sol
der must be applied By men Of education. hon.
-. a,d M emhition az advancement.