New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-18
Yorr
THE MILITARY ACADEMY.
REPoRT or THE BoARp oE y1srroRs.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS.
POINTS IN WHICH THE LAW is NOT COMPLIED WITH
COMMENTS ON DISCIPLINE AND TRAINING-NEw
BUILDINGS REQUIgED-A MINORITY REPORT.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-THE Board of Visit
o-s appointed by the President to visit the Military
Academy at the June examination of 1881 has sub
mitted report to the Secretary OF War Following
the principal points
In regard to the general administration OF the Academy
we find that the command at West Point constitutes q
military department OF which the Academy part and
the Commanding General is the supern eudent, instead
or being, as contemplated by the law in charge OF o
colonel or Engineers. With this exception the position
and rank of the officers In with the law
period of than four years experience seems
necessary TO enable the Superin endent to acquire
rect knowledge OF the interests Of the Academy and
previous army training is Of service in this branch
which seems to require the experience graduate OF
TIE Academy for lis successful administrations 70 is q
eource OF that the assstont professors Of TITO
Academy cannot be detached permanently for thu
vice without interfering with their hopes promotion
In general the officers found earnest and attentive
to the ues, and the Board is opinion that there
ney1r AaN been at the Academy a moro competent
1cat',uc board than az present. Under Tho head OF
sys aa el ated by the late General Thayer and the
ncces3arS r. inc welfare of no cn % scRne
zoe hTe,2i"re 70 relay the discipline and grant nIn
"hs,'ng," which made s appearance a few years aco
h h'ot crushed ny rigid discipline but IT stif fingers to
tho part of the ofcers inmodate charee o me cadets
to eraleafs is Veo ses n 9 PHnmet in order
owsG H BY %4 4s Of tEo BSa the amount Of money
Cadets IS aIe for the purpose, ana they recommend
student, except Tor mis- ortdt when entering Toe
academy ana cIpenses when furlough or leave and
IeGessity New apparatus is required fop The ponfoon
GI' WnSh inc Board regards ne one OF the most impor
executed with great spirit the cadets havlr GOOD scnt
good r suls are The Board n a that n
in
s l1slS" and thc exhibitions OF fencing and bayonet
., Af'' SerelSs Is apparent ana they she I'd be
t ~ tae iui, - extent. The erection swimming
,"u .' - dN Nui the exercise j. particularly
menNed to the attention Of the Officers OF the Academy
forty nne total Of lis Who reported for cxaus
matI2 } IaS examinations were conducted with the
not give high character for she progress education
the Young al seventeen years of ac selected
rom al parts 81 the country not proficient
mere clements OF learning required for admission The
, s'tS 10 th5 ma we ocheVe theu 10 be admin
isered WIN INC utmost idclity in Pecuuiary sense,
which has not originated WITH the pr, sent ant6orites
existing law which directs ali supplies TO be- fur.
n t 70 me 60 let's AZ cost; ana tho erection
commissions or advances ON actual cost is certainly
repair buildings Of every Nina shond he ne,d from m
annual appropriation for "impro; aud rrpur-"
ert June l. 1881, 70 little less thaT S506 06
' er IL .f result o, dhe Pyrccnae system and
tax the Board are OF opinion that tho oue; should
ueNOleG 20 some purpose IN which former
nave an interest and their SUCCESSORS benefit aud "A
memorial hall Il suggested Point to conIp mo
rae the services ~ such az may have dian-
gnshei themselves or diod IN public service
Hereafter the above law should be rin1dy
enforced and no commissions charged above the actual
cost oi supplies. The Cuuge OF the construction OF
new ana the alteration ana repairing % Old buildings
hhp Tor the purchase OF various apparatus recommended
10y me Board amounts to about $4,000 exclusive q. the
coat or CnlHrgiug the hui.d ue proper Tho
Tcpoit is signed Tor the Board by Major General George
:. Green, president Of the Board
A minority report SIGNED by three members OF the
Board OF visitors has also been Secretary
OF ar III winch they dissent from the opinion some
members OF the Board upon the merits Of n question
concerning the government of the Military Academy.
ana also as To the policy OF bringing the subject forynri
AT tlls Time. The minority think the Academy should
rest on fouudauOn or public confidence which VIII
ahe AZ no time unwrc to discuss question affecting
~ httht condition aud that The matter referred to
ought now to be reviewed, ~