New-York tribune., 1878-07-06
THE INSTRUCTION AT ANNAPOLIS.
THE OFFICIAL VISITORS REPORT FAVORABLY UPON
THE TUITION AND HEALTH OF THE CADETS
ENGINEERS IN THE BATTALION.

THE TUITION AND HEALTH OF TIE CADETS
ENGINEERS IN THE BATTALION
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCHl
WASHINGTON, July 5.-The Secretary of the
Navy has received the report of the Board Of Visitors
appointed to attend the annual examination at the Ma
val Academy
The board reports that 1t found high degree OF pro-
ciency in scamanshp, gunnery ana navigation. and 1t
incnes the opinion that It would be better to instruct
the midshipmen who are on the "Ddc" in a vessel
underway, rs a more practical knowledge would thus
be impaired. 1t recommends the employment OF shps
fitted in a way to convey more practical Information OF
the duties of naval officers. The instruction in the De
partment OF steam Engineering is thorough The board
considers desirable that another shOp be added so that
the course may be more complete. The instruction in
mathematics mechanics, physics etc, is good and the
work done in some Of the elective branches mentioned
with special emphasis The sanitary condition OF
the Academ- is remarkably good, aud the board is
OF Opnion that healthy looking set OF young men
than OF this institution cannot be found in
the country. The regulation Of the Academy iorbiddns
the use of tobacco is reported wise provision The
Academica Library is commented upon favoraby. The
hoard consider H - importance that annual apprO-
pratOn for ths rchase Of books adapted TO the rur-
poses OF the inttuuon bc continued, so that valuable
scientific and literary publications. as they issue from
the press may added to the collection. The assduity
with which cadets frequent the library in recreation
hours is a subject of remark in the report
The board learning with regret that AdmiraSupertn-
tendcnt c. r. p Rogers is about TO sever his cOnnec-
tlon with this institution concludes its report by stating
its high appreciation of the rare executive ability with
which he has discharged the trusts assigned 10 nm,
which leaves the Academy III inc ulBheSI sI'c VI c+-
hcicnCy.
The board considered q request from Chief Engineer
Baker. chief Of the Department OF steam Engineering,
tia cadet engineers be placed upon the same OOtug III
the battalion with all other cadets Saying that eAGueoh
from the hOnOrs paid to cadet mldslpmcn would pro
duce dishcar,cnine effect and might curb thGt whole
some spirit emulation which II Is commonly thought
wsf foster Their special practical exercises III steam
engineering reing nothing more than instruction IN
handiwOrk do not occasion for such relations as do
tr sOderv exercise of the battalion, and so the ONCE
held by the cadet engineer Is little more TO hlm than
star on the merit roll The battalion is the corps ia cn
the community Of cadets appear as unit 70 lhe Out
aide world The exclusion from it of the first class-
men OF the cadet engineers, ana from tho
hone OF Office IN it, appears TO Mr. Baker
= discrimination that must he thought inyldOus uiitll
It's necessity shall have been proved ConsdeIato was
given TO this subject by Captain Breese aud Mr. Prntup
OF the board who of the opinion that tne pfVlegeS
asked for hy Chief Engineer Baker ought not 10 nc
granted 1t is their opinion that the cadet engineers OF
the Navy we're established with view OF meeting tne
growing necessities OF the in the particular depart
inent OF steam engineering, and Tor those particular p-
moses ONLY and that IL is TO depart from TINS Tor
fear IL NAV result in making their services less ciecyc
They do not however, any objection 10 inc cadet
engineer receiving such instruction III command as may
he desired the execution OF anyOice OF theGs IN e
Department Of Steam Engineering whichls provided Tor
in general order No 90 of september lS, IS' ucnnuS
Tho titles and relative rank of cadet engineers, ana thy
belicye such instruction could adyantageOusly ne
hesoypd Admiral Rogers informed the board III con-
sdcriug this subject that cadet engineers ana cadet
mNlshpmcn are on equal footing 0t the Academy, but
Their training for different careers Is necessarily some
what d 1crcnt.