The New York herald., 1878-07-06
THE NAVAL ACADEMY.

REPORT or THE BOARD OF vIsITORs-sATIS-
FACTORY CONDITION OF THE INSTITUTION.
WAsHIyaros, July s, 1878.
Tho Secretary OF the Navy has received the report
Of the Board OF Visitors appointed attend the
nuai examination at the United States Naval AcAd.
emy. The Board found a hign degree OF proficiency
in seamanshIp, gunncry and navigation, and incline
tho oplion that would be better 10 instruct the
mashipmen who the Dale, now tied to the
wharf. In = vessel under way, Q more practical
knowledge would thus be impaired, and recommended
the employ ment Of ships fitted in . way TO impart
more practical information OF the duties Of naval
officers The instruction In The department Of steam
engineering Is thorougn ana given In most Of it,
branches, theoretical and practical The Bosrd
sidsrs desirable regards the latter that another
shop be added, SO that the course may be more
plets
PRoricIEScY STUDIES.
The instruction In mathematics and mechanics Is
exceptionally good, and the done In Of the
elective branches mentioned with special emphasis
The department OF physics 10 reported In excellent
condition. There Is nothing to criteise adversely IN
the department OF English studies and modern lam
guages Tue attainmen OF cadets IN United States
history and international law Is very dabe.
Tue sanitary condition vi the Academy Is remarkably
good aud tho Board is oil opinion that more healthy
looking SET OF young men than the inmates OF THIS
institution be found The country. The reg
ulat0ns OF the Academy prom bng the OF tobacco
as q sanitary measure u wise provisoo, and, uso
the language OF Medical Inspector Gihon in his report
the subject, the Board are Of opinion 'thst tue
Regulations against the use Of tobacco In any iorm
cannot be too s.ringent, and further, that whilo
smoking should be wholly nordictsd, especial caro-
should be exercised 10 prevent the Substitution OF
chewing"
The Academcal LIBRARY 10 commented upon favor
ably aud the Board considers II Of importance now
that al annual appropriation Ior the purchase Of
BOOKS adapted 10 the purposes OF the institution be
and literary PUBLICATIONS. as they issue rom tho press,
may be aated TO the collection. The asstauity with
when cadets frequent the library IN recreation hours
Is = subject ol remark IN tho report
RETiREMESr OF ADMIRAL RODGERS.
The Board, learning with regret tnat Admiral
upcrntendcnt Y. r. p ROGERS Is about 70 sever mis-
connection with this instituton, cannot conclude It's
report without stang IT'S appreciation Of The rsro
trusts assigned biui, winch leaves the Academy
the hIghest state oil efficiency
CADET ENuINERRg
The Board considered a request from Chief Engln.
ecr BAKER, chief Of tho Department OF steam Engi-
ncerng, that cadet engineers be pAcei upon tho
.uson IRON the honors paid TO cadet mldsh pncn
would, hs thinks, produce dishearsning eject upon
curb that wholesome spirit Of emulation which II 10
commonly thought wise to ioster Thor special
than instruction IN napdnood, do not offer
for sucn relations as do tue sodicry exercises OF
the battalion, aud 80 tho Office held by The cadet
engineer is iitto more 10 him than . star on the
merit roll The battalion 10 the corps In which the
community oil cadets appears ubit 10 tho outside
world. Tue exclusion IRON II OF the hrst class mon
OF the cadet engineers and from tho hopes OF ONCE
IN 1t appears to Mr. Baker u discr lminaiion
that must thought invidious until Its nsccs-
siy shall have been proved Consideration was
gwen this letter to the Board by Captain Brsese
and Mr. Priutup. Ct the Board. who are o. the opinion
that the privileges asked for by Chief Epgpcer Baker
oognt not to be granted IL 10 their opiniou tnat the
cadet en- giuecrs oil the navy were sstabilshed with
view Of meeting the growing necessities OF the navy
IN the parcular department. Of steam engneefipg and
Tor those particular purposes only, and tnat Is un-
wise 10 depart IRON TINS Tor tear may result In max.
ing their services less effective. rhsy do not now
ever see any ooJscon 10 The cadet engineer recsiv.
ing sucn instrccton IN command a. may vs desired
from the execution oi any o1cs OF theirs In the Do
pirment o. stean Engineering when IS provided Tor
IN General Order No 9S OF September ~, 1871 dehn.
ing titles relative rank 0f cadet engIhssrs and
beneve such instruction could advsptagsousy be oo-
slowed, tut believe the request asked Tor would do
feat the very purpose Tor when cadet engineer 70
Intended
Admiral Rodgers informed tho Board, in considering
this subject cadet gineers aud cidst nidship.
mon are 90 equal footing at the Academy, bat ther
training Tor different careers 10 necessarily somewhat
different.