The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-17
BALTIMORE.
THURSDAY, JANUARY II, 1881

If there be any public Institution which
the Country has just reason to regard with pride
it is the West Point Academy. For thoroughness
of instruction in all the various branches of
military study that are requisite to form the ac-
compshed soldier, it is acknowledged by all who
are cognsant Of the merits of the system adopted,
and are capable of appreciating its results, 10 take
rank with the very highest grade of similar
schools in Europe. 1t has been in existence for
sixty years, and the course Of training which was
adopted at an early day has been found in prac-
tice TO have worked admirably. But there never
yet was a good thing of human device which en-
loved perfect immunity from hostile criticism, or
from busy Intermediates, and it was therefore
scarcely to be expected that the West Point Acad-
envy should prove an exception TO the rule. From
time to time it has been the object of assault upon
one ground of peure complaint or another; but
happily, the good sense of the people, acting |
through their representatives in Congress, has
hitherto preserved it alike from legislative tinker.
ing and official stupidity.
1t is well Unknown that the number Of Cadets at
the West Point Academy is limited to two hun
benefits of the Institution upon the recommends
ton of members of Congress, and of the President
of the United States, and that the education and
subsistence are wholly gratuitous As at present
constituted, an Academic Board, formed of the
Professors Of the Corps of Engineers, regulates by
existing laws and under the sanction of the War
Department, the course of stu les, and suggests
such notifications in the rules as may be thought
essential to increase the practical efficiency of
the Institution. An annual report of the cond-
ton of the Academy, under this superintendency,
is made to the War Department by Board Of
Visitors, appointed for that purpose. Last Spring.
however, a special Commission was appointed by
Congress to examine into and report upon the
organization, discipline, and studies of the Acade.
my.
That report has recently been made. Accom-
panying it is a Bill, which has been drawn up by
the Commission, and which Congress is recon-
mended TO sanction. BY the provisions of this
Billthe superintendency which has hitherto been
exercised by the Academic Boa d, is to be subor-
dinated to new Board, to be called the Military
Academy Commission" whose duty il shall be
Ito attend to annual examinations at the Academy in
examine into the system of discipline, the police the ad
minstratve and fiscal affairs of the institutions into the
character and thoroughness of the instruction. the compe
tency efficiency and conduct of the superintendent
mandant, professors and instructors, and all other Off
GERS of the Academy and report their opinion thereupon
to the President laid before Congress the
next session; and in the the commissioners
ing that officer professor inspector incompetent
to the efficient discharge of all his duties or negligent
therein conducts himself in preudical to
the morals or discipline of the academy the Commission
shall report the such officer professor instruc
tor to the President with recommendation for his
moval from the Academy.
at shall be the further duty the Commission to re-
wise from time to time the programme of studies and
methods ofinstrucon, and the extbooks, maps models,
apparatus, &C. used in all departments Of the Academy
to that the instruction in the cavalry artillery and
fanry is strictly according the tactics adopted
for the army of the United States and to report such
changes as they may deem necessary, which. when ap
proved by the Secretary of War, shall be conformed
by the professors and instructors of the Academy
change either in the programme studies methods of
instruction, textbooks, maps, models apparatus &c
shall be made by any person excepting upon the
sndaon of the Commission and the order of tie Secre
tary OF ar; and, upon their recommendation the Secre
tary of War at his discretion transfer any assistant
professorshp from department to another according
- 81" wants of the institution"
This Academy Commission which the Bill
clothes with such extraordinary powers, is not to
be composed solely of army officers who, from their
previous studies might be able to form q correct
Judgment with regard 10 the efficiency of the pro-
fessols and the internal organization of the Aca-
Congress, and army officers, and civilians The
post of Superintendent instead of being occupied
by an officer of the Corps of Engineers, as from
the first organization of the Institution has been
the rule is hereafter TO be thrown open 10 the whole
army, whilst the Commandant of the Corps of
Cadets, Is to take rank Of the Professors
a large majority Of whom were educated at the
Academy, and have spent the best years of their
lives in promoting It's efficiency and usefulness
Any one can perceive at glance that such radi-
cal changes as these must be followed by evil
consequences. At an Institution where obedience
to the regulations is the first duty of the student
anything that impairs the influence Of the corps
of instructors will naturally tend TO encourage
acts of insubordination. The influence of the
Professors within the sphere of their duties should
be paramountto that of any other body OF men,
and especially of body composed of such hetero-
geneous elements rs that for which the Bill pro-
vides. If those TO whom the charge of the Insti-
tuition has been entrusted are guilty of arbitrary
conduct or incompetent to fill the positions 10
which they have been appointed, let them be in
stantly removed and better men put in their
places; but to subject Military Academy, like
tH"l vi WEST Iolnt, W the caprlceS or pOnuclanS
operating upon the fuctuating temper of popular
opinion, is to take from it all that has constituted
its especial excellence, and to pave the way to the
ultimate destruction of its usefulness. We are far
from supposing that the members Of the Joint
Commission had any such malign object in view,
in reporting Bill of the kind to which we have
referred; but it is not the less evident that such
would be the result. That of the provisions of
the Bill in question might be adopted with advan-
tage, is very frankly acknowledged by those who
are best qualified to pass Judgment upon its mer-
its but as whole, it is justly regarded as objec-
tionabe in the highest degree, and whilst we are
convinced that legislative interference with the
Academy will be more likely TO do harm than to
accomplish any really good purpose, yet, if the
Bill is to be entertained at all, we sincerely trust
that it will not be allowed to become law until
is has been expurgated of its most Objectionable
features.