The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-07-10
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Editors az az Dsspatclt


10 The Editors OF the Dispatch:
The Faculty and Board Of Visitors 81 the
Virginia Military Institute recently took ac-.
ton upon a measure g0f great importance
to the cause OF education Throughout our
country, and OF even greater Importance to-
the military efficiency OF the States.
The reform submitted by them to the con-.
stderation OF Congress proposes that here
after vacancies In United States cadetships,
instead OF being as heretofore an object OF
political patronage, to be conferred by the
will OF the members OF Congress, shalt be
conferred according to the merit Of the can
didates as established by graduation In
some academy or college Of the State. 1t is
sufficient here only to indicate the merest
outlines OF what is suggested. The details
will be matter for careful revision and con-
sideration.
We NAV, however, without hesitation or
doubt indicate the benefits which will fol-
low the adoption OF the change. ~
It VIII ut once remove officers OF high
trust and importance from the sphere OF po-
to merit. AS education is now free in all
the States in schools OF every grade to rich
and poor alike, there will be fair field and
no favor to the contestants for these prizes.
They viii no longer be means OF corrupt
| bargain and sale. We will hear no more OF
! cadet appointments being soldrto rich men
| for money and TO politicians sons for politi-
| cal service.
| Every boy in the Stale who aspires to
become soldier will begin IN bis primary
school to prepare himself to win the prize.
The State military schools will receive the
| best boys Of the lower schools, and will
send forward to West Point those who
prove themselves to be the best fitted to en-
ter the army as officers through the National
Military Academy.
Thus every school and college in the
States will feel the influence OF the competi-
ton aroused, while The military schools will
be improved in their personnel, scholarship,
and discipline. !.
The academy at West Point will be adj
vauced to the grade OF finishing school or
practice. where the clever young graduates
Of all the State academies who will have
been found hest qualified by their soldier
ship and scholarship will be assembled for
one or two years before entering upon ac-
tuaI service in the army.
The costly and oppressive machinery now
required for the discipline and elementary
instruction at West Point will be dispensed
with under the plan proposed, while every
State will have within it's own control a
corps of educated officers, who will he the
best dependence in time Of war or in case
OF instruction and domestic violence for
the States defence and for the maintenance
OF the States laws.
Most of the States have military and
State schools, which can at once be adapted
to the changes suggested, and the cordially
with which it has been received by many
leading military men and civilians induces
the belief that it will soon be entered upon.
1t is generally stated by those members OF
Congress who have considered this subject
that the petty patronage Of the cadet ap-
pointments will be gladly surrendered by
them in favor Of a change fraught with so
much promise. 49,,
Virginia has generally led in the adoption
of sound measures OF public polity. We
hone to see her take the lead in this. She IS
thoroughly prepared to do so with great
benefit to her own educational interests;
and the experience Of the last war has
taught her the vast advantages she derives
from having educated corps Of capable
officers. who can always be depended upon
by her in peace for good citizenship and in
war for good sodier>liip.
DADSEY H. MAURY.