Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-14
THE MILITARY ACADEuy
The Annual Report Of the Superin-
telldent.

GOOD RESULTS OF INSTRUCTION DURING THE YEAR
NArATIoN AND OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES MEAS
UREs AGAINST THE IRREPREssIBLE HAzER.
The annual report Of Gen. Merritt, superntend-
ent OF the West Point military academy. states
that the order abOlishing the military department
OF West Point went into effect on the 1st Of Sep
temoer, 1882, and the command OF the post OF West
Point was assumed by Gen. Merritt. This being a
reestablishment OF affairs they had existed for
long term OF years was easily accomplished, and
nothing important occurred from the change On
the 1st OF September 1888, there were at the acad
emy SIS professors and commissioned officers, and
81 cadets There were 271 cadets at the same date
OF the previous year. There were no deaths during
the year among the cadets, officers or soldiers The
percentage OF sick to the command is One-fifth Of
one per cent. During the year the usual practical
instruction in the three arms OF the service has
been given, with as good results as ever obtained
before. This year, for the first time, instruction
has been given to the fourth class.
NATATION AND GYMNASTICS.
S1Xty-Seven members Of the class which entered
In June, who could not swim, were taught, and at
the end OF the instruction of the class
could swim the Hudson river, and all the class
with two exceptions were good swimmers Excel
lent results have been obtained In the instruction
In gymnasium, and much more can be done if a
suitable building for a gymnasium, for which eSti-
mates have been made, is appropriated for by Con
greSS The instruction in the department or nracti
cal military engineering has been most thorough
Practical instruction has also been given the grad
uating and present rSt classes in bridge building
The new cadet hospital was sufficiently completed
for occupation in December, 1882. The sum OF
5000, necessary to complete the second story has
been included in the estimates for the next fiscal
year 1t is recommended that $4,000 be appropri-
ated for the completion OF the work OF supplying an
adequate amount Of water. The partially construct
ed bathing establishment for the cadets was found
by inspection last spring not suitable for the pur-
pose. new site above the post was selected, and
bathing grounds made and dressing houses con-
Attention is called to the urgent necessity for
Increased bathing facilities for the cadets In the
barracks. An unusual effort has been made during
the year TO rctrench in matters of expense for the
cadets in customs which have crept into the man
agement OF the academy in the past, with success
The average cost or subssting each cadet during
the last year has been S1792. The general tone
and discipline OF the cadets are good. With the
exception OF a very few cadets in each class the
members OF the corps are very attentive to regu,a-
tions. For the half year ending May 3lst, 1883,
nearly one-halr OF the cadets had no dement's re-
corded against them Cadets have been held 10 =
strict accountability for all violations OF the reg,-
latiOns, and uniform puniShmentS have been fixed
for the more serious neglectS and unmiltary con-
duct
The superintendent says that while his prede-
ceSsOrs for the last twenty-five years have reported
at one time or another that the practice OF hazing
had been broken up, it is his experience that they
have, without exception, been mistaken. He says
'by repreSSve measures the evil has been at times
restricted to its lowest limits but has never been
eradicated. Just the moment repression has ceased
the brutal custom has sprung up with new features
OF brutality While do not favor threats to repress
disorders or pledges from cadets a means OF
Graduating violations OF the regulations, l am
certain that the best means OF maintaining (iscip-
line in any organization is the certainty OF sum
mary punishment, just, but severe In all cases OF
| Intentional ofrense. If cadets wantonly violate
the regulations In anything which involves their
dismissal. they do so under one or other of
| the convictions that they will not be detected
or that some influence will prevent their punish
ment In this matter OF haZlng the authorities
here Will indulge In no half-hearted measures TO
detect the offenders. In the matter OF punish
| ments the experience OF the past should
convince the guilty that they may not exnect
| mercy from the War department. Under these
circumstances see no reason why the pernicious
| practise may not permanently be put an end ton
The superintendent says that the new quarters
for cadets Will be ready for occupation by the mid
die OF November In concluding his report he calls
attention to the departments OF instruction in
which he says there is every thing to commend
and that 1t would be strange II the Young officers
| turned out by the academy at the present time
were not exceptionally superior.