Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-02
WEST POINT ACADEMY
Number OF Cadets Should he Increased
aud Qualifications for Admission
Raised-The Academy's Past.

The board of visitors to the United States
Military Academy in their report 20 the
Secretary OF War (briefly referred 20 in yes
terday's STAR. summarize the result of their
inspection In the following words:
THE United States Military Academy at
West Point Is the only military school in
the United States owned by the government
The academy is a growth rather than a
creation. Established in 1SO2. it received
and educated very few young men for many
years, the records showing that IL did TO,
graduate a student in 1910. For many
years, however. beginning soon after the
close of the civil war, large classes have
been graduated every year. and today there
are few young men of any military spirit
who do not desire to enter the Military
Academy. The laws permit the academy to
receive only limited number-one from
each congressional district in the United
States, one from each territory. one from
country at large. The board desires 10 reit-
crate and If possible emphasize the recon-
mendation OF the committee on tppoiat-
ments and examinations that the number
OF cadets be increased, as suggested in the
report OF that committee. and that the
standard of qualification for admission be
raised. II better educational Qualifca lions
were required of young men seeking admis-
sion. there would not be so many reflections
for failure after admission and many more
The board is Impressed with the belief
that the Academy should be required to
educate as many young men as its capacity
cure to the nation the fun benefit of the in
stitution in the education and training of its
young men Is neither economical nor wise.
The Record Of the Academy.
The graduates Of this academy have been
equal to every emergency in our national
life. The pages of American history have
been made luminous by the simple story Of
OF the men who were educated in this
school. The young men are trained es-
pecially for the life of the soldier, to defend
to protect the flag. but they are subject to to
be called also to act as conservators of
the peace, and subject to the civil authori-
fact that the civil authority dominates
should be impressed upon the minds of all
young men.
people are hostile to a large standing army,
and the government only seeks to maintain
a sufficient military establishment to per-
form such military, duty as may from time
to time be required to protect our frontier,
man our forts and defenses and generally
to perform such duties as may be required
Of the army In pursuance of the National
good order must not be dependent upon the
presence Of troops and the use Of the bayo-
net.
The demand Of the age is to provide
schools for the education of all the youth
with opportunity for the highest scientific,
literary and artistic education.
The young men sent from the Military
Academy are qualified for, and as in the
past will be expected to organize and lead
armies when occasion requires-they are
equipped by proper training for war, they
are equipped for the duties Of civil life
they are also fitted to become leaders OF
men In war and In peace.
Liberal support Recommended.
"The academy in the judgment of the
board deserves and should receive the most
cheerful and liberal support Of the people
and of the government
The board takes occasion in this copnec-
ton to say that 1t has been unable to dis
cover any want OF attention to duty by any
officer in any capacity connected with the
academy. Each member of the academic
board seems to be enthusiastic in the dis
charge of his duty-there is that mutual in
terest on the part OF instructors and cadet
so essential to good results In school
The board feels that words of praise are
due to each and every officer connected
with the academy, whether in high or in
subordinate positions. The United States
as q nation has become one OF the fore
most nations of the earth. Its interests
and position alike require that its military
school should be the best, and should re-
ceive generous treatment that 1t may keep
pace with the advance Of the nation IN
power and prosperity. We are a united
maintained by the government officered by
men educated at the expense of the people.
should be ever ready to defend the Union.
Lincoln once said in reviewing certain
military events, that The father of waters
again goes unvexed to the sea-" No foreign
government or power must ever be allowed
to yex that great river. or to modest or
hinder our progress in national greatness
and prosperity.
The committees of the board have made
several suggestions and recommendations
which are believed by the whole board
to be important. Some of them call for
early attention and all are worthy of the
favorable consideration of the Secretary Of
War and of Congress"