Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-19

WASHINGTON, September 17.-The Board
Of Visitors to the Military Academy have
submitted their report to the Secretary of
War. The report is quite lengthy, and after
referring to the general administration of
the academy recommends, among other
things, that the cadet barracks should be
vacated by a number of officers and at
taches to the institution and devoted solely
to their use and that of their commanding
officer. The board are of opinion that
the amount of money allowed by the gov
ernment for the support of the ca
diets is ample for the purpose, and
recommends that no other funds
be allowed in the possession OF the students
except for their outfit upon entering the
academy and their expenses when on fur
Tough or leave. New apparatus is required
for pontoon drill, which the board regards
as one of the most important now in use.
The cavalry man9uvres are commended,
and the board regret that no instructions
are given in swimming. The erection OF 8
swimming tank is recommended. The
examination OF new cadets resulted IN the
rejection of forty-nine out of a total
of one hundred and eighteen who
reported for examination. The exami-
nations were conducted with the usual great
fairness and impartislity. The result does
not give high character for the progress
of education in the schools Of our country,
when nearly one half of the young men, all
over seventeen years of age, selected from
all parts OF the country, are not proficient
in the mere elements of learning required for
admission to the academy. The rejected
applicants are not confined to any part of
the country. The government is greatly In
terested in having the youth who are to be
educated by the academy better prepared
for examination, and It would seem that
the law authorizing appointments to be
made year in advance OF admission would
give the War Department power to require
an examination at their homes before re-
ceiving their order to report at the academy.
A minority report, signed by three
members of the Board of Visitors,
has also been received by the Secre-
tsry of War, In which they dissent
from the opinion Of some members OF the
board upon the merits Of the question con-
cerning the government of the military
academy, aud also as to the policy of bring
ing the subject forward at the proper time.
The minority think the academy should rest
on a foundation OF public confidence, which
will make it at no time unwise to discuss
questions affecting its healthy condition,
and that the matter referred to ought now
to be reviewed. The report discusses at
some length the subject of military educs-
tion, and rehesrses the circumstances under
which the academy was organized. and,
continuing, says:
"Originaly and until within a few years
the immediate government OF the Academy
was in the hands OF the Corps of Engineers
subject to the War Department. The Chief
OF the Corps was specially responsible for
its condition, and therefore watched its
cfr fad ffo L. a.
partment advised OF every question concern
ing 1t. The Superintendent was Sc
lected from the Engineers Corps,
and the character of that corps as
body gave reasonable assurance
that an inferior or unqualified person
would not be found in place. In 1866 the
supervision of the academy was taken from
the Corps OF Engineers, and the superin-
tendency opened 10 the army at large. The
result has not justified the change. There
have been virtually no supervisory, restrain
ing or governing authority. The academy
has been thrown into the category of gene
raj military commands, amenable only
to the check Of ordinary inspection. and the
operation of disjointed decisions, and ex-
empted from that intimate scrutiny and
control which its peculiar mission requires.
That latitude OF authority. which, in the
army, often results more from circum-
stances Of isolation than from any necessity
of the occasion, has attached to the
Superintendent, who, with no one
prepared to question him, brings
into contact with the academy practices in
its administration, which are unsuitable or
Objectionable and in academic matters In
terposes his authority in a manner prejudi-
cial to the discipline and educational char
acter of the institution. Being out OF the
rule OF ordinary assignment the field is
practically open to the competition Of rival
aspirants, and the choice is dependant on
the strength or adroitness OF influence
rather than on the fitness of the person to
be chosen.
'Itis unnecessary to speculate on the effect
OF such conditions upon the character and
usefulness of the institution. The inaugu-
ration of this evil has been supplemented by
another which operates in the same general
direction and, besides, involves public ex-
pense and an ENHANCEMENT of duties
wholly without compensation. The post
of West Point had been conver>-
ed into a geographical department,
with all the machinery essential to
such. The commander or Superintendent
will naturally desire to surround himself
with relatives and personal favorites in staff
positions. That such usage is not unknown
to the army cannot be denied, but neither
can it be commended, and 1t may be allow
able to question whether 1t Is advisable to
announce in practical manner to young
men, who are being educated for the pub
lie, that obligations of public duty suggest
no objection 10 this intimate mingling of
family and official relations. We would re-
commend that the military academy aud
post of West Point be confined to the pur-
pose of education, with a superintendent
having the local rank Of Colonel, and under
the supervision which existed prior TO the
present arrangement"