The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-07-30
West Point Criticised.
POINTS FROM TIE REPORT OF THE BOARD
OF VISITORS.

WAsnINGroN, July 2O.-The board of
visitors appointed by the president, the
senate and the house to attend the annu-
al examinations at West Point last
month, of which the venerable General
Robert Patterson of Philadelphia was
the president, have made their report,
which contains some interesting criti-
cisms. They found the buildings in
good order, but say that the cadet quar-
ters are insufficient for their proper ac-
commodation, many of the rooms being
now occupied by three cadets, and they
therefore recommend an appropriation
by congress to extend the west wing of
the barracks so rs TO add 32 more rooms.
They also recommend the erection Of a
bathing house for the cadets, as the riv-
er where they now battle is exposed and
exceedingly dangerous, several cadets
having been drowned, and as they OBJ
yiously thought to enjoy facilities for
learning to swim, which, the board very
properly says, is something that every
officer of the army ought to know how
to do. The visitors speak very highly of
the administration of discipline, and say
that the system adopted "enforces order,
neatness and regularity in the cadets
habits, promptness and precision in ODE
| dience to and execution of orders, manli-
ness, self reliance and truth in every po-
sition and relation of life" The most
important recommendation made by the
board is an elevation of the standard re
quired for admission to the academy,
so that common school studies may not
be pursued at West Point at would
seem" they say, ''that instruction i'll
spelling, in arithmetic, in the rudiments
of English grammar and in punctuation
ought not be required of professors and
officers who are subsequently to teach
mathematics, philosophy, chemistry, ge
ology and law The consequence of
this low standing for admission is that
much valuable time is consumed in pure
ly elementary instruction, and at enor-
nous expense to the government, and
that needlessly large proportion OF ca
diets fail to sustain themselves i'll compe-
tition with those who properly start upon
their course with a proper knowledge OF
prerequisites The result is heavy pc
cuniary loss to the nation amounting to
about 81, $50 per annum for each cadet
Over half Of the two hundred and TWEEN
ty discharged during the past four years
were recommended for dismissal on ac
count of being deficient in their studies
while many othewr We're from the same
cause permitted to resign. An elevation
of the standard of admission would alsC
permit the introduction into the cours,
. of higher branches, such as more ad
Vauced mathematics, military history
physiology and greater attention to orig
A inal composition and to elocutiou, il
which the cadets are sadly deficient, no
one in ten speaking distinctly. The Wis
: itors recommend the prohibition of tn
use of tobacco among the cadets a
West Point as is already the case at Al
! rapolis.
i wurrrAKER's CASE.
h Apopos of this report, the case of co
l. ored cadet Whitaker is still pending b'
: fore the Secretary of War Professo
5 Grcener, who is a warm champion G
d Whitaker and represented him befoi
r the court of inquiry, has asked the seer
/ tary TO order court martial, which Il
a. cadets friends believe will vindicate hi
st from the charge of having mutilate
himself Otherwise he will have to
v dismissed from the Academy upon Il
5. report of the Academic Board that
c. was deficient IN philosophy. There is
st general impression that the request fol
/, comt-martial will be granted, as ii is b
IN lieved that the war department is n
70 satisfied with Whittaker's treatment
X the court of inquiry,
ID