Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-08-23
WASHINGTON.
Report Of the Board of Visitors to West
POint-The Present Condition
of the Academy.
The Peace Commissioners Twaddle
About the PaWnee Massacre
Public Fund Depository.
REPORTOF THE BOARD OF VISITORS
TO WEST POINT.

| TO WEST POINT.
! WASHINGTON, August %. = The
board of Tisitors to the West Point mill
tary academy have submitted their re-
port to the secretary of war. The board
consisted Of Mr.. Russell Thayer, presi-
dent; A. L. Chaplin, of Wisconsin ;
Amos T. Akerman, OF Georgia; Henry
B. Curtis, of Ohio; VIM. T. Early, OF
Virginia; J. L. G. McKown, of Illinois;
James H. Mcmillan, of Maine; ]. w.
Stevenson, ST., of Kentucky; Jno. Sher-
man, ST., of Ohio; Il. P. BOland, repre-
sentative, of Vermont; John Coburn,
representative, of Indiana, and S. S.
Marshall, representative, of Illinois.
THE EXAMINATION BY THE BOARD
has been very thorough, and the result
of their observation relative to the daily
routine of instruction in all departments
of the academy was extremely satisfac-
| tory. The zeal and ability of the pro-
! fessors, instructors and their assistants
were everywhere manifested. The
board recommend that the course of in
struction should, if possible, be some
what enlarged by allowing some time to
be given toliterary 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 a purely military education
cannot, at the present day, be said to be
complete which wholly Omits from its
course thorough instruction in history
and letters. The fact that so many of
the last appointees failed in the literary
examination is much commented upon,
and the board take occasion to say that,
from their own observations on the spot,
they are convinced that this result is
due, not to any undue elevation of the
standard of admission, nor to any ex-
cessive severity in the examination, but
in some cases to incOnsiderateness in
making the appointments, in others to
the failure of the appointee
TO APPRECIATE THE HONOR AND DUTY
to which he is called; in few others, to
lack of facilities for preliminary educa-
ton, and, most of all, to want of thor
oughneSs in the schools of the country in
respect to their primary work. The
academy owes it to itself and to its in
fluence as a national institution on our
whole system of education, to render
and publish to the world this honest ver-
dict of our school boards and superin-
tendents and teachers, in the north and
in the south, in the east and in the west.
viii art heed the verdict, and use due
diligence to correct this great debt.
Some abiding good may come from the
MORTIFYING EXPERIENCE
of this years examination of candidates
for admission to the academy. The
board recommend that all the candi-
dates be summoned to the academy one
month before the examination, and that
instructors be detailed to instruct them
daily in the studies upon which they are
to be examined. The outrageous prac-
tice of hazing new cadets has been in
great measure suppressed by the firm
and Vigilant administration of the pres
ent Superintendent. The board rejoice
that efficient progress has been made,
and is still being made, toward the total
determination of this discreditable prac-
tice.
IN CONCLUSION,
the board reports that the present
condition of the academy is, in all re-
spects, sound and good, and that it is
fulfilling the purposes of its establish
ment in a most satisfactory manner, re-
flecting honor on those who are charged
with its administration, and verifying
by its progress, and by the solid benefits
which it confers upon the country, the
wisdom and foresight of its founders.
For seventy years its beneficial influences
have gone forth, repaying its debt of
gratitude to the country, and making
record which renders it impregnable to
all assaults, and secure in the confidence,
pride and affection of the people of the
United States. No longer upon the de-
fensive, or requiring the vindicatiOn of
its friends, its results are written in
DIPERIsHABLE HISTORY.
No longer a foundling, barely existing
among mountains, it presents itself now
in the full maturity of its strength and
vigor, the recognized, and maintained,
and acknowledged, and cherished off
spring Of nation.
INDIAN AFFAIES.
1t is officially denied that the peace
commissioners or interior department
have furnished the Sioux Indians with
bresch-loaders or other arms. Any
weapons they may have must have
been furnished by traders. The officials
regret that the friendship of the Paw
nees for the whites should excite hos
| tility of the Sioux; but it is not thought
| the government will interfere further
| than to endeavor to keep peace among
all the tribes. The fact that the army
uses the Pawnees as scouts, it is thought,
may intensity the hostility ofthe Sioux.
PUBLIC FUND DEPOSITORY.
The secretary of the treasury has
designated the Merchants National bank
of St. Paul, MinnesOta, as the place of
deposit and disbursement of public
funds in the hands of officers of the
war department.