National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-06-16
THE NAVAL CADETS.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS.
The Increasing Importance of Iron Ship Building
Practical Suggestions-Mentala and Moral
Science and Other Studies at
the Academy Discussed.

The board of visitors appointed to at
tend the annual examination at the United States
Naval Academy, Rear Admiral C. z. P. Rodgers
president; Hon. John F. Miller, vice president
and Lieutenant C. BeIknap, secretary have SUBJ
mitted to the Secretary of the Navy the following
report: In consideration of the great importance
of seamanship, gunnery, and navigation, the
greatest possible weight should be given to them
in determining the final standing of members of
the several classes. The increasing importance
iron ship building renders it highly desirable
that
SOME ADDITIONAL MODELS
in iron steel of the longitudinal system of franz
ing, stem framing of iron clads and the different
keelS. showing methods of uniting them to stem
and stern ports should be furnished to the de-
partment of seamanship. In the depart
ment Of gunnery we find that only the
old and almost obsolete smooth bore
muzzlc- loading guns are provided for in
structiOn of the cadets in this most important
branch of professional studies. We feel that the
eminently sensible recommendation of the head
Of this Department that battery of breech- load
ing rife guns of proper caibre. with the most i'm
proved carriages, To replace portion of the eight
inch smooth bore guns, should at once be
carried into effect. 1t seems to US absurd
that the navel cadets of this great country should
continue 10 be instructed by methods and means
WHICH THE EXPERIENCE
of the rest of the naval world has laid aside as
things of the past. The board recommends that
suitable steam vessel ofwar. to be armed with rifles
and smooth-hore guns, be provided, in
order that guunery may be taught the cadets
from vessels under way, either under steam or
sail. or both, and that instruction in seaman
ship in combination with steam may
be practically taught. The department of steam
engineering shows improving thoroughuess and
ir,fro nFr rIafi
known as the Russian system of instruction in
practical mechanics notable advance has been
made.
THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
in all its branches evidently keeps pace with the
progress of modern science. We have no recon-
mendAtion to offer with regard to the course of in
struction pursued in mathematics. The board has
no recommendations to make regarding the
department of mechanics; the course appears to
be ample and the instruction thorough. The work
of instruction in English studies and the modern
languages is well performed. and the results, con-
sidering the amount of preparation required for
admission into the Academy are not only equal to
any just expectation but are in very high degree
creditable to the heads of the departments and to
all the instructors whose work has
COME UNDER OUR NOTICE.
Considering how limited is the time which can be
given to English studies, and how great the diff
early education of many ofthe cadets it would seem
difficult to enlarge the comprehension of English
studies: but it would be most desirable addition
TO this to bring into it more of study of the
Government, whose servants they are. and of the
people. whose rights and honor they are appointed
to defend and we would
EMPHASIZE OUR CONVICTION
that elementary studies in mental and moral
science cannot be excluded from the education of
the youth here assembled without damage to
the proper harmony of their education
and TO its completeness for the purposes of
command. for which they are in training.
We would respectfully submit as worthy of in
curry whether the standard could not be supported
in higher Interpretation by making fifteen years
the lowest age at which cadet could be received,
or whether the standard might
NOT BE ACTUALLY RAISED.
even if in order to this end should be found nee
eSsary 10 provide for temporary sub cadetship to
insure that those who enter the prescribed course
shall in no case be deficient at the beginning To
raise the standard of admission would be only
10 put the Naval Academy in harmony in this re-
spect with the colleges and other advanced schools
of the country, whose terms of admission are
steadily rising with the general advance of educa-
ton. We are clearly of the opinion that the in
hibition of
THE USE OF TOBACCO
among Jhe cadetS should De lnforced. The board
gives its unqualified approval of the general con-
duct and management of the Academy and of the
admirable system under which the effective
discipline Of the cadets is maintained.
The annual appropriations for the support
Of the Academy are strictly applied to the objects
contemplated By the laws making them. There
are now upon the shelves of the library about
twcnty-three thousand volumes We would rec
ommend the enactment of law 10 secure TO the
library free Of charge all Government publications
as they are issued In the opinion of the board
IT IS NECESSARY
that only enough cadets shall graduate from
the Naval Academy to make good the
annual waste of the navy. and that
Congress should by careful legislation
provide against the accumulation of midShipmen
and cadet engineers 10 grow old in those inferior
grades. to the manifest injury of the naval service
its discipline and its usefulness. The present sys
TEN seems TO the board very fruitful of evil