The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-28
THE NAIL ICIDEMT.
Impo Recommendations Made by the
Hoard OF visitors in Their Report.

Important Recommendations Made By the
Board OF visitors in Their Report.
WASHINGTON. June 27.-The Secretary OF the
Navy has received tho report OF the Board oil
Visitors to the Naval Academy.
Tho Board concurs In the recommendation
made by previous Boards that the age Of ad-
mission be ike from Is to Is years, instead oil
from is to 20 years, as at present, with the be-
lief that comparative equality OF age In the
different classes would have bene-
fetal effect In tho personnel OF the
classes. The Board also suggests that
the course OF instruction be fixed at
the former limit OF four years on the ground
that the additional two years at sea are clearly
a hardship and Of no positive advantage to
cadets not desirous or able to enter the SER
vice. Furthermore. reduction OF tho course
will permit appointments to the Academy to
be made every four Yeas instead OF every six
years and the benefits OF tho course, will be
extended one third. II benefit not merely to the
cadet, but to the Government.
The Board recommends that appointments
OF cadets be made at least one year before they
enter tho Academy. 80 that they may be better
prepared for their studies. ! he Board is
strongly OF the opinion that all cadets should
be actual residents OF the districts from which
they. are appointed, 80 that the advantages of
the Academy may be widely dilused and every
In regard TO subjects OF study and standards
OF scholarship. the Board says that the Acade-
my should be 70 modelled as regards ell It's
standards or requirements as to secure the
highest results to the public service. UNIQUE
regard, therefore. should not be Inid to .pollti-
cal clsmor, SO far as its possibilities for in
grade service is it's great .desderatum, and in
those days, when knowledge Is multiplied on
every hand. an advanced standard OF admis-
sion may reasonably, 9e, demanded, 40 that
this national school shall be second TO no other
school In the older countries OF the world.
The Board refers 20 the inadequacy OF the
Wyoming as practice shI and r ,;cnin
sci. proportionally rugged. and armed wit the
latest type OF guns and equipment: also that
torpedo boat be stationed at the Academy for
the practical instruction OF the cadets.
The discipline OF the Academy IL highly com.
mended. the existing rules having remedied
defects that exist ed In previous systems. Tho
Board was specially Rratitied at the evidence
Of the thorough training OF the cadets In drill
and tactical evolutlons. aud it approves the act
OF the superintendent in Offering medals for
arm target practice, tho beneficial effects OF
which are already apparent The establish
ment OF a permanent fund for an annual medal
for general excellence in athletic exercises is
1t is recommended that the commandant Of
cadets receive the highest pay OF his rank and
that the cadets be relieved from the payment
their quarters: also that the powers OF the po-
lice force be Increased BY Congress so that
their efficiency may be promoted. -,
compare fayorably with that OF the best edu-
cational institutions OF the country, and SUD-
plies an admirable equipment to its graduates
they may be called. In closing, their report
the Board saysit was most avorably impressed
with the efficient and of1icerlike manner in
which al that relates ,s to the discipline and
conducted and pursued by tho superin tendent,
Capt William L. Sampson. and his aids