New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-18
THE MILITARY ACADEMY.

THREE REPoRrS FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL MEM
BLRs OF THE BOARD OF vIsITORs-TNE QUEs-
TioNs OF A HIGHER STANDARD AND coLoKED
CADETS.
WASHINGTON. Jan. Ex-senator Garland Ark,
on the part of the Congressional members of the
BOARD of Visitors 10 the West Point Military
Academy to-day submitted report signed by HIM
self and Representative Phillips an other sgned by
Senator .Edmuuds, and still another signed by
Representatives Mckinley and FELTON,. Senator
Gariand's report was accompanied by bill amenda-
tory Of the laws relating to the Military Academy
Mr.. Garland and Representative Mckinley devote
considerable space to the consideration OF
the question of the admission of colored
cadets to the Academy. They say that
the mingng of white ana coored cadets on terms
Of social equality IS subject to continued drawbacks
and troubles which are far inherent that in their
Judgment no regulation of law can control them.
If it be deemed expedient to continue further this
caedueation an the same institution. this disturbing
caus<, while repressed far a wise discipline
can touch 1t must, after all be left for its cure
to time and experience, which may result in
its mitigation or the complete separation of the two
races in their military education; e fSesPeGtng tne
cadets they say the very object and purpose OF
the school and the necessity for its establishment
woufd suggest low standard; many otherwise smart
and deserving boys mi ght be denied admission be-
cause they Sad not the means of studying those
things which would DO required by an Increase or
senator Edmunds. IN bis report, expresses the
opinion that the standard OF admission onght 10
be raised; the number Of appointees from each
State is small and there would be difficulty III
finding npp0ntees, aud OF higher grace OIL acquire
ments. aud they would be rs apt to come from the
poor as frequently as from the rich.
The Investigation made by the committee. he
says convinced him that yontis Of the African race
have not received the treatment at least fI0m
their feliow-cadets, that they would have received
had they been Of the white race but
saca .eolored boy bad found himself con-
sinually isolated from his felow-eadets.
not spCeeed together IN this institution as they DO
in many schools and universities in tbiscountry aud
Academy ell come from every phase of Amerl,
can HE and meet ON equal ground, and
VIM wn''e may e conceded that's no law
lleves that such course Of practice has existed
toward the colored cadets. u nbjust unreasonable
sna anan and that It sssryss the CON
Sepator Edmunis says. the conduct of tine case was
such as II place Whitaker in false position in the
eupasd On tSsr msrs ascsraon that the they were
1ree from cemplfcity in the outrage the theory
ought u apply to caets Of the colored race unless
the sxisisncs Of truth III 10 = colored cadet He
0ces not think well of the theory in, any
esss Any S S1S Ss wso Toad commit sIc an
esys ses e made an In
On quasi tfIuIs tho very DcrS0n alone on whom the
assault had been committed He o0ncludes by re-
marking that there " u0 i8surmollntabie obstacle
e tho c0rrsction OF existing evils NJ the Academy.
Yiiie might be accomplished by the wise influence
md example Of officers and instructors in charge.
u H1kis Ceun0t bo accomplished, IL should be mat
On Of ssSious considsrstion whether such insti
tuition cuaht nos to 10 absolutely abolished.
Neprcse0ta tatives Mckinley and FELTON, in their re-
.2Q, wils coucurring N much that 10 contained in
y iuport Of Senatof Garland aud Representative
<xiuiu< ~ nst believe h3weyer. that the standard
q eotp3sxship required for admission should be
l5S accompanying ball. introineed by Senator
ld, pgoy5des that hereafter no officer above the