New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-29
HEST POINT ENGLISH.

HEST POINT ENGLISH.
West Point students arc deficient in English
according to the last Board of Visitors. The
Committee on Discipline and instruction. when
consisted of George II. Craig. Of Selma. Ala:
DR. William w Keen. Of Philadelphia. and Cen
cral Newton NJ. Curtis. of Ogdcnsburg. reported
that they were rather painfully impressed IN
"thc examinations with the hating English OF
"a number Of the cadets" This statement is In
no way meant to reflect on the instructors Al
thc Academy On The contrary. their ability ana
devotion are marked out for special praise. Inc
criticism l. directed against the system when
has been followed for many years the grouho
Of the complaint is obvcus when an eXamiha-
ton is made Of the course of instruction. Inc
grand total Of study and recitation in the four
years amounts to 1874 hours. or this time
1,315is hours are given 10 modern languages.
French and Spanish have 1.OS1 hours. ana 10
English is given only ~ hours for recitation
and 30 hours for study. This is all crowded
into the first year During the course Few eS-
saws are required and there is no time out OF
study hours for courses OF reading ana such
reading is discouraged. In consequence IT Is not
remarkable that the cadets are sadly deficient
in their use Of English.
A search for remedy AZ once develops the
fact that no additional work can safely b'
thrown upon the students. The studies already
fax them 10 the limit Of health. Time for more
English might bc made by curtailiDg the more
extended or least useful studies. but that Is
doubtfu experiment The course may not ap-
near symmetrical with over 1000 hours given
TO mathematics. 1000 hours 10 physics. LOO
TO Spanish and French. 227i, TO law 5t5l2 TO
chemistry. mincr:logy and geology. and only
oo4 hours 10 English At the same time II must
he remembered that the primary object of the
Academy Is TO make soldiers. and all these
studies which receive 80 much attention are
thought absolutely necessary for a soiulrrS
couipmcnt. though the Visitors suggest that
German might be more valuable tnan frehch
or Spanish The one way available to attain bet
fer training In English is Ia increase The re-
uuircmcnts for admission. and to make them
cover some II the subjects now taught al me
Academy The committee urges that the gcog-
rnphy. plane geometry and i considerable pAr'
II not all. Of the algebra now taught in me
course be- required for entrance The Naval
Academy now requires some algebra. aS 90 all
the bother colleges. The average age OF cah''S
entering West Point is about nineteen years
This j. fully rs high as the age of the ma'rlcu
laic> ~ the leading colleges. and there Is no
hardship in requiring rs much preparation I"
enter upon military rs upon classical or
scientific course ~ study The present require
,ncnis were formulated nearly forty years ago
and were III that lhr average boy could De cN
n,r,.d io have acquired from the schools to
winch he had access College requirements
were then much lower. Since that time the
high s,siools both public and private. have al
tanned a much higher standard. are sending
out boys for advanced civil education win 1ar
greater preparation, and If West FONT VIII
make higher requirements the preparatory
schools will send good students who can meet
them The committee estimates that SIX months
more, study before entering the Academy would
provide much needed time not only for English
but also for history ethics. hygiene ana possibly
German. That a military college should he
lacking in it's attention 10 hygiene Is somewhat
surprising. hut another committee reports 'hat
instruction In first aid 10 the injured and The
sanitation of armies Is totally inadequate
Scholarly English may seem unnecessary for
IN army officer. but accurate English certainly
il not Nothing can he more important thnh
that a commander shall have such control or
language that. though writing hurricdly. his
orders may be- clear and precise. The Use of
words may be- a. important in "A battle as the
use II firearms West Point graduates more
over are sent 10 make Investigations abroad ami
m home and must make written and often tech
meal reports For such work the ability TO write
correctly and accurately is Of the utmost value
The Military Academy Is not alone In lis failure
10 attach due Importance to English. The col
lcgeS are awakng 10 the fact that they have
been turning ont graduates with knowledge of
almost every other subject. but with little ar
no training in some Of the simple branches
which they are supposed To acquire thoroughly
before coming To college. but In fact seldom do
West Point may proiiiably learn the same lesson