The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-08-23
BY TELEGRAPH
WASHINGTON.
west Point Military Aeahemy~-ReD eDorl.
.Of The Board of Visitors.

West Point Military export
.0i thc Board of VISITORS.
WASHINGTON, August 23.-The board
OF visitors to the West Point military
academy have submitted their report to the
secretary of war. The scrutiny of the
board into the affairs Of the academy, its
discipline, instruction and general admins
tration, has been very thorough.
Ihe,board pay a.high tribute to the skill
oil the cadets in drilling and the high
proficiency which distinguished them in
Their studies. They pay also ahigh compli-
ment to the professors for their efficiency
as instructors. The fact, however, that
many oil the pupils were wanting in distinct
ness Of pronunciation induces the board to
recommend studies with exercises in elocu-
ton. Enlargement Of literary and histori-
cal studies IS suggested and urged, although
O. purely military" education is the object
Of theinstitution %
The board speak in terms OF satisfaction
OF the examination exercises in June. and
Oh tne graduation of the first class. forty
TWO IN number. Concerning examinations
tor admission they say that they are satis-
lied that the present standard of physical
and intellectual suflicicncy cannot be
changed with advantage; that certainly it
cannot be lowered, and in the present con-
dlhon OF parts of our country it cannot
properly be raised. OF one hundred and
thirty-lour appointees this year forty-nine
We're rejected on the literary examination.
Inns IS surprising result, but the board
thlnk that 1t Is chiefly due to want of tho
r0uehness IN the schools of the country
with respect to their primary work. They
add: The academy owes it to itself and
It's influence as national institution on
the whole system of popular education, to
render and publish to the world this hon
est verdict. If our school boards and 81
perlntendents, and teachers in the north
and south, in the east and in the west. will
but heed the verdict and use due diligence
to correct this great defect some abiding
good may may come from the mortifyine
experience of this years examination Of
candidates for admission to The academy.
There Is demanded for n place in this
academy, as in all responsible positions in
society, thorough mastery of those simple
elements OF knowledge, which are indis-
pensable to form an intelligent citizen, an
accurate observer, trustworthy agent, or
sound and Jadlcious leader of men. With
the appointment announced year before
hand, and the intervening time wisely i'm
proved, no candidate of ordinary mental
capacity need fail 10 pass his examina-
ton. Therefore the board recommend that
all candidates be summoned to the acade-
my one month before the examination, and
that instructors be detailed them daily in
the studies upon which they are to be ex-
| amined.
h. ,.l. -,
Inc outrageous practice Of "hazing
new cadets has been in a great measure
suppressed by the firm and vigilant adj
mlnlstration of the present superintendent.
Another HOmicisie--A Man Shot Dead.
WASHINGTON, August 25.--Last even
ing between four and five o'clock Benia.
min Unkel, while intoxicated, entered a
grocery kept by James Mccarthy, corner
First and N streets, South Washington,
and after a few words about family mat
ters fired four shots from revolver at
him, when Mccarthy picked up shotgun
and discharged the contents in the face of
Unkel, killing him instantly. Mccarthy
gave himself up to the police to await the
action Of the coroncr's jury tomorrow
morning. Unkel was employed al a
watchman at the wharyes.
Items. .
Secretary Richardson denies as positively
that there is a surplus of thirteen millions
Of gold in The treasury, as that there is a
| deficit Of ten million or any other amount.
The Wawasset investigation was conclud-
ed to-day, and the inspectors are expected
to report within week. ,
A dispatch from Scranton, Pennsyl
yania, says that Wyoming Valley is about
IL, haannaa tha nf ~,
expelled from Germany. The religious
ters of Christian Charity, founded exactly
twenty years ago at Pardenborn, in West
phalia, by the Countess Pauline
Mallinckrot, sister TO Count Herman
Mallinckrot, under the rules Of the
Augustinians. These ladies' come from
their far-away Germany to find home in
Wyoming Valley, in consequence of the
recent edict of Prince Bismark against the
Jesuits and kindred societies.
Reports were current that the District
government had effected large loan in
Philadelphia, and that they would be able
to speedily extricate themselves from all
financial difficulties. Governor Cooke,
while not stating whether the loan had been
finally closed, says that the District gov
ernment can obtain all the money it wants
in Philadelphia.
The trial Of Joseph Shepherd, at Alex
andria, for defrauding insurance companies
1 by falsely representing that his brother, in
sured for $1,000, had been drowned, is SCI
for October 18th. Since Shepherds com
mitalto jail his brother, il isssaid, has beer
seen not only alive and well, but so heavil,
armed that the officer whom he encounter
ed didnot dare attempt TO arrest him.