New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-23
TIE wEsT POINT MILITARY ACADEMY.


RIGoRT OF TIE BOARD OF OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
IN RETHoRIc SUGGESTED" HAZING' ALMOST
sUpPREssED-TTIE MANAGEMENT OF THE NsTI-
TUITION SATISFACTORY.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.-The Board of Wis
|; tors to the West Point Military Academy have Sub
mtted their report to the Secretary OF War The Board
consisted NJ Russell Thayer, President A. t. Chopin
OF Wisconsin, Amos Alderman Of Georgia, Henry y.
Curtis OF Ohio, william T. Early OF Virginia j. l.. G..
McKOwn of Illinois, James Ii. Mcmillan OF Maine; j. W.
Stevenson. Senator from Kentucky John Sherman,
Senator from Ohio; L. p. Poland, Representative from
Vermont; John Coburn, Representative from Indiana
and s. s. Marshall, Representative from Illinois.
The Board say the superintendent the professors and
all the officers Of the Academy furnished every possible
facility enable the Board TO make its Investigation as
complete possible Every place was thrown open to
upon all subjects Tho scrutiny OF the Board into The
affairs OF the Academy, its discipline. instruction, and
general administration, has consequently been very
The skilI exactness, and beauty of the movements
which characterized the performance OF the cadets IN
the various drills and exercises were such & 20 reject
the very highest credit upon themselves and upon the
communicate the cadets and other military nstruc-
tors whose talents and assdy have brought the corps
to degree ofprofcency which probably has never been
surpassed in the history Of the Academy No one
witness military exercises OF the Corps of Cadets
without sentiment OF national pride in the Institution
which produces such perfect results.
with pleasure the great pains which were taken by Tue
professors
should know his lesson but that he should understand
il and be able to give the reasons for the several propo
sitions and processes involved IN It, The average or
proficiency Shown in these daily Rotations nigh.
Failures rare and the performance OF the hgher
often admirable. The demeanor or Tie cadets
in the section-roOm dignined aud attentive They
were, however frequently wanting in distincness OF
pronunciation and sometimes in facility OF expression
a circumstance tending 10 confirm the Board in an
opinion expressed elsew here Ia this report namely that
ton should, If possible be somewhat enlarged by allow
ing some time be given literature and historical
studies and to exercises in elOcution. The Board are
aware that the object OF the Academy is to give
purely military education, but even purely military
education cannot be sad t the present day 10 be com
plete which 0mits wholly from the course instruction III
history and letters.
the Recommendation OF former Boards OF Visitors
for the introduction into tine course OF Deparmeut Of
Rhetoric and English Literature. II is suggested that
the present Academic Board be charged with the special
duty considering ana reporting readiustment
OF the OF study, with view 10 the accomplish
ment Of this important object by proper legislation.
The Board have been pleased 10 observe that M the
has been pursued Tho error II any, Las GER
tainy not been the side OF extreme.seyeriu. The
perfect mpaTtlality OF these examinations has also
quite manifest The laet that OF ia appOintees,
large number a. 40 were rejected on the literary ex
animation, surprise to the Board doubt 1t
will be 10 the country The Board take occasion to say,
from their own observation on the spot that ths result
is due not any undue elevation OF the standard of adj
non init m some cases 10 the ipconsideratcness in
making the appointments; in others, to the failure OF
the appontee TO appreciate the honor and duty which
Inc is called lew others the lack Of facilities for
preliminary education, and, most OF all, want OF
thoroughuess i'll the schools OF he country with respect
TO their primary work The Academy to Itself
and TO its influence as national Institution on the whole
OF popular education, 10 render and publish 10
the world honest verdict II school boards and
superntcudents and teachers in the North ana in
South the East and IN the West Will but heed the
verdict and due diligence to correct this great defect
some abiding good may come fTom the m0rtlfy
ing experience Of this years examination OF
candidates for admission TO the Academy.
There demanded for place in this academy IN al
responsible positions in society, thorough u
simple elements Of knowledge which are indspen
la
VIII he III s2Sne ana I@Gecus Sp %
hand and the intervening tine wisely improved. NO
c@nddate OF ordinary mental capacity need fail to pass
his examatlon. Therefore the Board recommend mat
an candidates be summoned TO tue academy one mouth
before the examination and that instructors be detailed
70 instruct them DAILY III the studies upon winch they
are 10 be examined --,-.- -.
1be outrageous practice OF "haZng" new cadets has
been IN a great suppressed by tue nrin ana
ygilant administration OF the present superntendent
The Board report that eihclent progress mas Deen ue
and is still being made toward tue total
of this dscredtdble practice The petty tyranny IOL'
merry exercised toward the inexperienced young men
usr entering military life, demOraisng as II Is repre-
hensibe, is rapidly disappearing, ana no pains tue
Board feel assured being spared 0y the superlntnd
emf and his subordnates to eradicate 10 entirely. u i
practice most injurious its tendency ana .enects 10
az bmt TO IL willingly begets spirit thaG Is erbglIg
and unmanly; 10 begets one that is brutal
10 weld, with the purpose or further revenge, |
hardening in the extreme. The Board uteu IL du
yisape 10 cothe only cadets with authority over
tbe ne cadets VINO nave themselves bad AT
least two wears experience in the discipline OF the
Academy old rule that 10 learn 10 obey is tne lst
a. elsewhere The Board conclude by expressing them
selves well pleased with the general cohdItoh OF the
Academy