The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-18
THE WEST POINT ACADEMY.
ANNUAL REPORT OF BOARD OF VISITERS
OF MILITARY ACADEMY.
WEST POINT MILITARY ACADEMY, June Il 1851

WEST POINT MILITARY ACADEMY, June "a iooA'
SThe Board Visitors invited to be present at the
general examination Of cadets Of the West Point Mi'iy
Academy for the year 1861 and instructed to attend 10
various other duties specifically ncratcd in 'heif
tcrs Of invitation, beg leave RESI- cruly to submit inc
following report
That in compliance with Instructions they assempeu
nj the Military Academy on the 10Th day OF June, ana or
ganzod by the appointment Of prosiuem ana secre'ay
Immediately after the organization the Board OF Vsi-
tors under tho escort the Superintendent and members
of the academic ea proceeded To make the usual exam
nation of the buildings of the institutions
Each day between the hours OF nine A. NJ and three
p NJ for several successive days, was devoted 10 the
examination Of the classes remaining at the instr
tuition the subjects which formed their courses oil In
struction.
The Board Of Visitors did not consider il necessary to
subdiyide themselves into more than two committees,
corresponding TO the two committees OF tho Academic
Board The result Of their examination will be com
municated under appropriate heads.
INSTRUCTION.
The average proficiency Of the cadets of the Military
Academy, as determined by the manner in which they
acquitted themselves the examination was fair, but II
appears evident that although many In the upper secos
exhibited high degree of intellectual culture, large
proportion in the lower sections fell below the standard
which the country expects and should require III TINS
institution.
must seriously Interfere with the course oil instruction.
which, f adapted inelecs of the highest grade eond
be followed by those Of inferior capacity and ar
ranged for standard of modocry would not secure the
proficiency which the honor Of tho nation and the public
interest imperatvey require.
In regard 10 the details Of instruction. the Board OF VI
setrs Of the opinion that the Academic Board-com
prisng does gentlemen of the highest order oil intel
lectual aainmcns of national reputation in ter espec-
tive departments of uquestoncd and unqucstionable in
togry familiar by the experience OF years win the ue-
tails and routine OF their respective departments, fully
ted
desire to make the Military Academy an INSTRUMENTAL
~ Of the highest useiuness-should always be consulted
in reference the effect Of proposed changes III inc
programme of studies and exercises, and that the
recommendations Of the Academic Board should
DO carried out unless good reasons shah DC
found to exist for the contrary II is believed that much
inconvenience and positive injury have resulted from sud
den and arbitrary changes within The last few years
Much diversity Of opinion appears to have existed IN inc
reports Of former boards of visitors on the question
whether pcrmanency rotation among the Instructors IS
most conducive to the interests OF the service me
opinion OF the undersigned is that the heads Of the depart
nlents instruction should be permanent in order that
the highest order of proficiency may be attanabe but
that the four years rule rotation applied TO assistant
instructors perhaps the bost possible for themselves
aud for the service.
The rotation should be made subject TO the iolOwhS
conditions
l. No assistant instructor should be changed except at
tho end OF academic year. unless required by some OK
traordinary contingency.
g. The head of each department should have the priv
lege Of nominating his assistants as he is Obviously ne'
qualified from his knowledge of graduates to select indi-
vduals fitted 10 give instruction. while his own repua
ton, involved in the success Of his department qua
rantee that improper selection would be made Even
if made tho evil would be but temporary as rotation ut
the end of four years would provide remedy
In favor OF rotation applicable to assistant nsruc-
tors, it may be observed that the possibility Of
being called upon to act assistant instructors would
stimulate officers Of the army to increased am
gencc iu study, at the same time it Is the opinion OF
the Board that the rule OF rotation should in GER
tain DO suspended in favor OF first assist
professors of eminent ability and promise As to the
length of the course the Board of Visters concur with
the Academic Board in the opinion that with proper
selection of cadets years while it is more economi,
cal than Ave- will be amply sufficient to secure oil that is
should BIO expected OF the institution but na neither
i've or years would be sufficient for the inferior
grade intellect often sent TO the Academy to become
respectable much less creditable The fate which must
pstsncy, With dscredt which often attaches to them
for c, and becomes barrier to future progress else
NO place at tho Military Academy then would
rejection with It's attendant consequences, be less
frequent and four years course pc ,Sund ,o 70
not in the length Of the itself but in the inferior
order of which results from the present mode Of
making cadet appointments. Some suggestions IN reNr
ence remedy be provided may with Proprety be
submitted in this connection
ne candidates for admission should be asherc,oore Sc
eced from any class Of society The Academy should he
open TO all without reference TO patronage wealth. or 30
ola position But little influence should be Macne1 10
previous Intellectual attachments, but much 10 natural
ien,s physical vigor and moral character lnasmuch
Is the expenses Of the Military Academy are
raid by government, and as great competitor
exists for the privilege Of admission, the na'io.
hss right to- aud can and should secure tho highest
order OF talent and most qualification in the pros
pectiys graduates OF the Military Academy. 1t is MOI
right thai individual partiues should entail upon 60
vornment the expense Of attempting to educate youth
inferior abilities when the same expenditure night give
the nation cultivated mind of the highest order repay
inS perhaps hundred fold in substantial benefits To-
cos, or It's Development md rejecting even to the old
world Ius,re upon the reputation Of the country.
is believed that the present mode OF appointing ca
diets Is attended with many evils ana h Is Soe 80
but the Board believe that difficulties, or upon a
probabilities of securing favorable Actin them so
Recommendation, shond not preysifrom expressing
rar as to induce them to relieve to be right or
an opinion Whatever theyes OF the inst tuition and OF
nroper and for the best iptnendcd without hesitation
the service should Considerations they opinion
Influenced by su2ppolntment which allows individuals
that any modaection, with reference to qualifications
10 make thDy favor, will always be subject to great
hut SIP
shshen vacancy is about to any Congressional
district, the member from that district usually besct
with hosts OF applicants. He can nominate but in
dividual; the rest arc disappointed; many of them,
perhaps rindcve HE nomination is in many cnscs dc
tcrmined m0reby the political influence of the friends OF
the nominee than by his fitness to receive tho appoint
ment.
IT, instead OF single individual the member from each
district hcud be allowed to nominate large number
not less than would be included within certain
reasonable linis-who would be examined by an n,mr.
ta commission with reference TO standard prcscrbe,
by the War Department and certificate given in caC
district to the individual best qualified, who should
ceive the appointment, much OF the difficulty, the
whole Of il, would be at once removed
Without attempting to fill up the details Of system
the follow ing general outline is presented
l. When vacancy occurs In any Congressional district
tho member of Congress from that district shall
any number Of young men. not css than ten nor
than twenty four, Of suitable age and qualifications,
candidates for admission.
2 The candidates assembled at some convenient place
ia each district shall be examined by commission OF
throc persons appointed BY the member OF Congress from
that district who shall certify the OF the indy lal
found 10 be best qualified and the individual certified
shall be recommended to receive the appointment.
3. The qualifications requisite for admission shall he
knowledge of spelling reading writing aud arithmetic to
tho extent usually taught in common schools; but
in deciding upon the -caims of applicant par
ticular inquiries should be made to his pre-
vious opportunities for receiving instruction. His
antccedehts should be examined with special reference
10 the probabilities OF success the future Less value
should b. attached 10 intellectual development resulting
from long application under favorable circumstances than
10 more limited attanmcns secured by perseverance,
under difficulties vi condition II should be-
that Of the most brilliant graduates OF the Militia
Academy were men who entered with very limited AZ.