The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-08-23
THE WEST POINT MIIITA"~
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WASHINGTON, August 22.-Tbp Bosrd
Of Visitors TO the West Point Military
Academy have submitted their report Ia
the Secretary Of War.
The Board consisted OF n. Russell
Thayer, President, A, u. Chaplin, Wis
consin; Amos T. Alderman, Georgia; Hen,
~ d. Curtis, Ohio; VIM. +. Early, Vir.
ginia; j. L. q. McKoowin, Illinois; James
d. MCMILLAN, Maine; J. W. Stevenson
Senator from Kentucky; John Sherman
Senator from Ohio; L. 7. POLAND, Rep.
resentatiVe from Vermont; John Coburn,
Representative from Indiana; and 8. s.
Marshall, Representative from Illinois.
The examination by the Board has
been very thorough, and the re-
suit OF their observation relative TO
the daily routine Of instruction in all
departments Of the Academy was ex-
tremely satisfactory, The zeal and abll.
ity Of the professors, instructors, and their
assistants were everywhere manifest.
The Board recommend that the course Of
instruction should, II possible, be some
what enlarged by allowing some time to
be given to literary and historical studies
and to exercises In elocution. The Board
are aware that the object olthe Academy
10 to give a purely military education; but
even u purely military education can.
not be said at the preseht day TO
be complete which omits wholly
from its course instruction In history and
letters. The TACT that 80 many appolntees
failed in literary examination Is comment
ed upon end the Board takes occasionpto
say, from their own observation on the
spot, that this result Is due, not TO any IN.
due elevation Of the standard Of admis'
sion, nor to any excessive severity In the
examination, but in some cases 10 the in.
cOnsiderateness 10 making the appoint.
ments, In others TO the failure Of the Sp:
pointee TO appreciate the AeDOr and
duty TO which he Is called. In q
few others, TO the lack Of facilI-
ties for preliminary education, and most
OF all to want d "A thoroughuess In the
schools Of our county with respect to their
primary work. The academy owes 1t to
Itself and TO its influence as the national
Institution or the'whole system Unpopular
eduCalion to render and TO publish TO the
world this honest verdict. II our school
boards and Superintendants and teachers
in the north and south, In the east and In
the west will but heed the verdict and
use due diligence 70 correct this great de.
feet, some abiding good may come
from notifying the experience Of
this years examination OF candidates
for admission 10 the Academy. The Board
recommends that all candidates be sum-
moned 10 the Academy a month before
the examination, and that instructors be
detailed TO instruct them daily In the stud
lea upon which they are to be examined.
The outrageous practice OF hazlng new
cadets has been In o great measure SUP
pressed by the firm and Vlgilant admins
traGiOn OF the present Superintendent
The Board report that efficient progress
has been made and Is still being made TO-
ward the total determination Of this dis
ctedltable practice.
In conclusion, the Board report that the
present condition ofthe Academy is In all
respects sound and good, and that It Is iul.
filling the purposes oil It's establishment In
the most satisfactory manner, rejecting
honor upon those who are charged with
its administration, and verifying by its
progress and by the solid benefits which
Il Confers upon the country the wisdom
and foresight Of It's founders, For seventy
years its beneficial influences have gone
forth, repsyipg lie debt Of gratitude to
the country, and making record which
renders 1t impregnabls to all assaults and
secure 10 the confidence, pride and atfec.
ton OF the people Of the United States.
No longer upon the defensive or requiring
vindIcation Of its friends, It's results are
written In imperishable history. No
longer d ioundling, barely existing among
the mountains, It presents itself now In
the full maturity Of Us strength and
manly vlgor, recognized and maintained
as the acknowledged and cherished Of
spring OF the nation.