Evening star., 1869-08-06
WEST POINT ACADEMY.

President 70 attend the annual examination At
the U. ). Military Academy at West Point. in
June last have submitted their report to the
war Department and it will be laId before
made the duty of the board TO examine into
the discipline, instruction, police, administra-
tioD, hscal affairs and other concerns Of the
Academy. and full reports upon each of those
subjects are made The system of discipline
prevalent at the Academy is highly com.
mended, and the personal knowledge Of the
superintendent respecting the habits, conduct
and capacity OF officers and cadets is pro-
nounced surp ingly minute, and without
being oppressive or tyrannical, and conse-
queltly repulsive, is maoe 10 exercise a con.
slant and powerful influence over both
The Board was pleased with the long-exist-
Ing practice oi reporting the cond la CT and class
standing OF each cadet monthly TO his friends,
but would have been glad to find more evI-
Ties were seconded by influences from home
and that no cadet Is allowed TO fall below the
M asure OF his abilities for want Of such in-
spiration, made doubly necessary by ais long
and gradual extension of the system Of snlarg-
ed privileges as reward for good conduct Is
declared to be working very well.
Instruction at the Academy IS carried on un.
der general direction OF the Superinte dent
and the sps cial supervis of the profes sors,
assisted by army officers disting guIshed for their
attainments in the special branches they are
severally detailed TO teach. The division of
the classes into sections. each in charge Of an
asslsiaLt-the professor, proceed ing from sec
ion to section, imparting the benefit of his
Tiper knowledge 70 both teachers and the
tausht-prcduces q uniformity of attainment
not Otherwise possible, and is declared to be
one OF the best features IN the system.
The blackboard i'll Illustrations and recitatious
OF the cadets command high praise and attest
their scientific comprehension of their subjects,
and the falthfulness and ability OF their in.
structors. marked deficiency in elegance
and even facility of utterancs was, however
found to exist and more training in logic. CONF
position and Criticism is considered as exceed.
ingly desirable. This and other def ciepcies 10
charged TO the low standard of qualifications
for admission. While praisIug the attaiHments
OF the cadets in foreign languages, the Board
thinks that equal attention should be given To
our own.
Constant additions TO the scientific apparatus
are advised, and the collections OF illustrations
OF natural history, zoology and mineraIogy
qu,red, plan for their enlargement and im-
provement is recommended for adoption Com
petitive examinations as the basis OF appoint.
ment to the Academy is also suggested.
The separation of the chaplaincy v from the
professorship OF ethics is recommended by the
Board, as 1t has been by all their predecessors
for many years.
The Board consider the proposition made to
abolish the course Of ethics, which has long
been distasteful to the cadets, altogether as in
admissible; but its useful continuance is re.
gar ded as dependent upon reorganization
In drawing il is advised that more time be
given to draw from nature and less time 10
me chanical copying. An Interesting chapter
OF the report is devoted especially to the signal
and telegraph drill; the application of these
auxillIaries TO military operations, and the al.
most wonderful combinations OF one with the
other, as illustrated by the cadets, exciting the
admiration of the Board.
The place of the grounds and buildings, with
the exception of a want of underground DRAIN
age, Is pronounced, after general observation.
copnrmed by minute examination, &c be excel
lent in every respect.
The superintendent's administration OF the
varied concerns Of the Academy, zealousIy
aided by his staff officers, is as highly COM
mt nded by this as by former Boards of Visitors
The fiscal affairs of the Academy are report-
ed upon very favorably.
The cadets hospital is large enough for the
ordinary wants OF the Academy, is well kept,
but needs more light and a better system OF
drainage than cesspools beneath the building
The library contains some twenty three
Thousand volumes, chiefly scientific works
pertaining TO the studies pursued at the Acad-
emy, but with a judlcious infu ion of blograph-
ieal and historical works.
IL conclusion, the Board express their opin-
ION that however nearly the Military Academy
may have met the wants of the past, il does
not, in view OF our national growth, the place
we have taken among the nations, and the
progress made OF late years in the science and
art or war, meet the requirements of the pres.
ent. as the one military school Of q great
nation, and that il should be raisee to a stan
recommend that the Academy be greatly en-.
larged. the number Of pupils increased, and
two separate courses Of study pursued-one
IN IN general class Tor an the cadets, the other
best material from the other class-the general
class to be limited to thorough comprehen-
sion Of the elementary principles of the art of
war; but the special class to be limited only
to the boundaries Of knowledge upon that suo.
ject.
Other changes are suggested as dependent
upon the adoption OF this proposed basis Of
reorganization. reaching among other things
to retpTn OF q portion OF the grad yates 10
each year to civil life. and to an entire change
in the system OF promotion in the army.