New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-01
WEST POINT
REPORT OF The BOARD OF VISITORS
Important Changes and Reforms Sug.
gested and Recommended
WEST POINT. y. Y. June &c. 1865.

attend the annual vi thc Shiteu St"''
Military Academy and TO inquire generally into the
condition Of the institution respectfully submit the io
lowing as their report
The members Of the Board being nearly all present
Oh the I'd inst entered upon the discharge oil ther
duties. Within few days others arriving, the WIcie
number complete with the exception of one gentle,
man on the list who has not appeared; and from that
time until she nnation Of their labors to-day they
have continued devote themselves with more o less
constant participation Of each to the business ioI when
1aey assembled. This somewhat nrolrsrted SESSION cas
been occssoned not merely by the usual great variety
OF subjects presented for investigation md consdera
tiOn but by the size of the graduating class oil cadets
more than any heretofore ever sent from ie
Academy and the necessarily longer time required ioi
their examination. The Board believe however, thht
their time has not been unprottably employed. -.
The Board, after organization, and az otner 'ltnes
during their stay have visited and carefully respected
the various buildings grounds, library scienhe appa
an and other property aaachsq 5 aui consider
able portion OF each day. attended the examinations o
the several classes and have also witnessed tne eh
kbon VI the drill Of the cadets IN the various VI aehos
of military service. ;,
The training drill and discipline Of the cadets in all
fhat relates TO the duties of thes soldier appear 10
ahe Board 10 be of the FIRST and highest order and they
doubt il finer or more crcditabe exhibition IN ihose
particulars be made by body OF military studcns
at any other institution in the world
The average proficiency of the young men oil the
graduating class as indicated by their answers aud
performances in the examination room. was only i3r,
or at least. not above the ordinary measure OF oer
frstrate educational establishments IN this country
This is perhaps principally owing TO an attempt 10
crowd too much into the last year OF the heademo
course-a difficulty which may, IN some degree. he
remedied by a proposed new arrangement oi the suO'
1ects taught during the four years given 70 instruction
here. But it was evident that there was more 'nau
proper and allowable difference between the sections Oh
the class in question and thai some OF those IoWes gu
the list would hardly be considered as coming up TO te
standard necessary TO secure the honOrs OF RODE
national institution like this
In one particular especially. the members OF the
Board could not help but remark a too prevailing de-
tEot sfria .t.fs. Ift-n n
most general want Of dstinctncss and precision III the
Language which the Cadets expressed their answers
when under examination, exhibited even n frequent
and nexcusahle errors of pronunciation and Of gram
natical construction While the Board did not yet ex'
pect proof of finished cultivation aud scholarship 1t Is
thought that more pains taken the part both o III
strucors and pupils might have avoided 81 least such
common and careless insccuraey and wonld have Sc
cured habit Of exactness not 10 be altogether over
come or confused even under the ordeal Of examina
t0p.
The subjects of discipline Instruction. police admin.
astraiion and fiscal affairs 10 which the attention 81
che Board is BY law expressly directed We're referred
90 standing committees and the reports OF those com
mi,tees are hereto appended part OF this report.
As means Of obtaining direct and trustworthy in
formation to guide them in their inquiries and reree
lions the Board considered it proper also At at early
day after their organization, TO apply to those olctIs
Immediately connected with the government and :n-
ptructon OF the Academy. Accordingly the following
resolution was passed and copy thereof communi-
Gated the Superintendent and esch member OF the
Academic staff: -
aud the members Of the Academic Stan Dc invited 10
communicate this Board their views and sneseslioi Al
writing the future management ard requirements Of the
auicn ard what changes any are necessary for its IN
And afterward BY further resolution, tue same iuvi
tation sent to each member oil the military sian
che Academy.
In compliance With this request. have beer
received from the Superintendent and from The majority
of the members OF the Academic aud Military Stan
which. as being of more or less interest and some
them containing valuable views and statements, are
also appended aud submitted herewith Several OF tn,
officers have not however made any reply nor thought
proper to give the Board the benefit of their ugges
lions
In this connection il is thought proper 10 record
difference OF opinion IN relation :" their respective
powers and duties which has arisen between the Board
and the Superintendent OF the Academy aud the dis
position made Of the question. This record is due ~
those who may after u.s. serving TO define and
consrue the power and practice OF any uinIe Board OF
Visitors.
Superintendent TO the several members of the Academic
and Military Stats requiring them 10 transmit such
communications as the Board OF Visitors had invited
1hem 10 make only through him :" the usual official
channel" the Board considered il Just Interpretation
of the duty in which they we're engaged 10 pass and
convey 70 the ionowng resolutions;
appointment Of the President under the provisions OF
vomiting power to inqss into and report
Cossress the actual state OF the discipline h',i'uon
academy the information sought ior by the Hoard II
discharge of their duties by inquiry and request Tor wr
smic and Military stats or from any other oeer or persons
within the ard West Point, IL o, the narre Of test
,onv. ard t Board does no. recognize the right Of tie Sn
perntendent ote Academy and Consndart o. the Post to
Supervise the said testimony whether Written OF oral OF to
1eauire the pass through his hands out denies the
propriety Of his cs 10 snch supervision or inspection
Re.orsd That the Secretary immediately communicate
copy Of the foregoing resolution 70 DTsdetUencfa ClIu
4 che Superintendent Of the Academy.
| These resolutions beng forwarded by the Superin.
1endent to the War Department for instruction, the
Board grated 70 learn FROM copies Of correspond
rnce communicated 10 them that the Secretary OF War
is of opinion that 'the Department has authority
the Board Of Visitors 10 direct its course OF pro-
ccure for acquiring information upon the points con.
Nh il pirpG IN max
were otherwise, 1t must BE- very obvious that circum
stances might time exist under " hch Board Of
Visitors might be crippled of s usefulness ard defeated
I'm lie pursuit OF The very information might BE- Iocs
important TO obtain.
These remarks however ana tie course Of the pres
cnt Board ia this matter not 10 he undo
Intending any impeachment Of the present SupeTn
1enden far as relates 10 the general exercise Of the
duties Of his Office lniimating any disposition
manifested his part 10 interfere With or limit The
general scope Of the inquiries instituted by them On
rhe contrary the most perfect facility in every other
respect for pursuing their has been mos
courteously and at al times Afforded By Gen Cullum
himself as well by oil Others sharing IN Tho govern.
pent o. 10 AnsgemeDt Of the Academy
There was only issue made with hin IN regard 20
ehe orcper legal OF the visitors IN Which they be
Neved rim honestly mistaken in his Intervention, and
shcy considered il duty 20 themselves and To the
s;ofernmen. 20 maintain and vindcate tMr fJg1t 81
free Investigation But 20 their surprise ana regret,
ietter of the Secretnry 81 War him sustaining the
position taken by the Beard but still persists in re- uir
Ing the information given Oy his officers to cone only
through hir. Several such ooininnncAiiol' wheA .ie
call for tom was renewed have been thus forwarded
Inst 81 the Board Is closing its session Er reference -
moot Of those IL viii be tsat thc writers are re
markably reticen: unwilling TO speak II regard TO
Tho Academy In sny wsy and 10 is only 70 ne lett 10
conjsoturs how far such declining 10 testify ay or may
not have been affected by the fact that these letters
must pass under the examination Of their commanding