Evening star., 1900-10-18
THE MILITARY ACADEMY
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE sUPERIN-
TENDENT, COL. MILLS.
Review of the Course Of Studies-GOod
Eject OF Athletic
Sports.

Col A. L. Mills, superintendent OF the
Military Academy at West Point, has made
his annual report to the adjutant general.
He says the health Of the cadets has been
excellent, though many cadets have had
trouble with their eyes, due to defective
lighting. 1t is hoped that their condition
will be improved when the new gas burn
ers, authorized by the last Congress, are
installed.
The academic instruction of cadets has
been maintained throughout the year at its
usual high standard Of thoroughness, and
the superintendent says the results obtained
show not only the excellence OF the meth
DDS employed but also the earnest thought
and labor the heads Of departments and
their several assistants gave to their duties
during the year.
Examinations In Arithmetic.
The effort to get as good material as pos
sible, under the law, has developed a rather
severe examination in arithmetic. all the
other requisites being very moderate. Owing
to the adjustment Of study in the public
schools. the relation between the knowl-
edge of arithmetic and other subjects Is
very different from what Is required at the
academy: 1t Is the tendency among the
leaders Of elementary education. school SUI
perintendents and writers on common school
InetnOuS 10 DelleVe tndt more time Is IOSt
than gained by completing the full course
of arithmetic before commencing algebra
and geometry.
1t would be in every way advantageous,
the superintendent says. to have the rela-
ton between these particular subjects made
the same as exists generally in the public
schools, and to associate in the academy
examinations the subjects which are pur-
sued simultaneously in the public schools.
BY taking advantage Of the preparation set
by the public schools. the superintendent
says. 1t would insure a higher general av-
erage of preparation and cOrrespondingly
increase the professional attainments of the
graduates. There Is no desire that the en-
trance examination should be made more
difficult, he says, but only that 1t should
require what the public schools Of the
country supply.
An Absence of Haxing.
'It Is a pleasure to be able to report"
says Superintendent Mills, that believe
there has been an absolute ending this sum-
mer OF the particularly cruel and extreme
forms Of hazing new cadets which were
referred to in my last annual report.
This satisfactory condition has been
brought about largely by the voluntary ac-
ton of cadets themselves
''In no army in the world Is there less of
harshness in the training Of the recruit
than in our own. and 1t Is evident that 1t
must be taught cadets that neither brutality
nor harshness ore necessary to the strict
est subordination and the best discipline"
On Athletic Sports.
On the subject Of athletics Col. Mills says:
Athletic sports have continued to re-
ceive reasonable encouragement during the
year, with beneficial results to cadets In af-
fording needful relaxation In the mental
work required and attracting them out Of
doors during recreation hours. That such
sports and athletic contests can be engaged
in at Military Academy without detriment
to the requirements Of duty was signally
shown by the foot ball contest between
the cadets of the naval and military acad
emes on Franklin Field at Philadelphia,
December 2. 1890. The game was witnessed
by both bodies of cadets. Although 1t was
OF absorbing interest to the cadets OF the
Military Academy, 1t was approached by
them without relaxation in their attention
to studies or instruction. When it was over
the routine Of duty. which had been dropped
for the day, was taken up Immediately
without having suffered perceptibie strain.
The manly conduct and bearing of the two
bodies of cadets at the game also was an
admirable illustration of the training given
In the national academies
During the year thirty cadets were found
deficient in their studies and were dis
charged.
Graduating Glass Complimented.
Col Mills highly compliments the grad
uating class Of this year at their readiness
to take up their duties when joining the
troops in the field.
He renews his recommendation that the
cadets at West Point be placed upon the
same basis as the naval cadets in the mat
ter of pay as there is a difference now OF
$69.50 year in favor Of the naval cadets.