New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-09
THE VEST POINT ACADEMY.

A RIGID INVESTIGATION OF THE MANAGEMENT OF
THE ACADEMY AND TREATMENT OF CADETS
MADE by THE BOARD OF vIsIroRs-sEVERAL
ARISES ExPOsED-RECOMMENDA by THE
poARD-ILsr OF APPLICANTS FOR ADMISSION TO
THE ACADEMY.
jFROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIDuNE'l
WEST POINT, June 8.-The Board of VISIT
giving very close attention to everything cohhece"
with the discipline and management OF the Academy'
Usually the Board and its annual report nave peeh 'o
more than mere formalities; the Visitors were conr
teousy treated by the officers, and reported iavora!
upon the affairs Of the Academy, without making any
thorough examination But the present Board Is oons
its duty in very thorough way, and Is investigating
personally the treatment Of the cadets the Iood winch Is
furnished them, the in which II 10 purchase",
&C. A number OF the Visitors recently took breakfast
with the cadets order to the condition OF the dih
ngroom and kitchen, and the fare which Is PROVIDED
together with the methods OF cooking They FOUND that
the doors between the kitchen and dining were Aep'
open without even a screen between Them The pota-
toes which are used were purchased IN octooer
last and many them not eaable. The Purveyor'
who connected with the Academy over 80 years.
purchased 81 900 worth OF butter last November AT AZ
cents a pound. lie also land across the river from
which he obtains fruit &C. charging his own price Ior H.
For everything which the cadets buy including all the
clothing and books, they are charged 10 per cent hoc
than the ordinary price, and the money thus gained Is
kent as fund for repairing and erecting buildings The
new commssaIy building, which was completed ana oc
cuped in January built from this fund at cost OF
$4,000. II is easy to see that very considerapc
amount may raised in this way The cadets are pald
$500 yearly nearly all Of which they spend IN board'
clothing and other necessary articles There are nearly
$50 cadets here now and per cent Of their yearly pay
would amount TO than $4,000. Another abuse was
found TO exist in the increased charges when are soe
times made. Last Summer there was denclt IN some
fund and 1t made up by charging seven cents 'or
washing white trousers, the ordinary charge 1or WIG"
had been only four cents. The Board also depre-
Gates the prolonged course OF mathematics anu
thinks substitution of logic ana rbelor''
with exercises in defamation and composition,
would be desirable Nor does the Board regard a COM
peto knowledge OF the art of drawing In water color
necessary part the education OF an army oeer Inc
discipline OF the Academy is considered to be too strict
and severe The cadets trained 10 stiffness OF ia-
nor and all natural graeefulness In the fcrcible
words of q member OF the Board, They go around win
an inviucblc ball and chain on their ankles Ihe BoaFu
manests determination TO expose all abuses ana VIII
show no mercy. Among those who arrived mere To-Day
was Gen +. o. G. Ord OF the United States Army Poiii,
cal questions not discussed To any extent a WeSt
Point either by the secretary Of War or by member: OF
the Board of Visitors Even Gen shermans " Memoirs,
do not form a staple subject OF conversation ahonsh
Gen Baker is Of the opinion that sherman VIII u. ro
PEELED TO write another volume c4plag ns
this morning that he did not thlnk every thns III coI
mans book untrue and much OF might DC accurate, al
though expressed in characteristic way.
THE examination OF the Third Class in Maihcmats
continued to-day As the classes are divided into sec
tions according to their relative standing In point OF
schoash last sections of each class does not and Is
moi expected pass the examinations 80 as
The other sections This evening there was review ana
battalion drill by the cadets. They formed III column,
and were reviewed by the Secretary of War; after which
they performed various evolntions, accompanied by
firing imaginary foe; Below are given the names
Of the candidates for admission to the Academy this
year The includes those appointed by members OF
Congress and whom the President appoints az large
Their examination here in the cases OF more than
one third present appoinees, preceded by com
pctitiyc examination. The candidates examined in
reading writing photography. arithmetic. English gram
mar geography. and the history OF the United states
There is also rigid ply steal examination by the Medical
Beard and any disease Is found in the candidate which
would lie liable tn impair his efficiency, he j. rejected
The phy steal prec1dcs The mental examination Those
admitted are required In sign articles binding them 10
serve the United states for eight years from the Time OF
their admission, unless sooner discharged: