Evening star., 1901-11-13
BOARD OF VISITORS
Recommendations of Needed Changes
at West Point.
old STRUCTURES ARE INADEQUATE
The Academy Should Be Practi-
caIly Rebuilt.
AZING ERADICAT Z f D

According to the board of visitors to the
United States Military Academy, of which
Lieut. General ]. NJ. Schofield, retired. is
president. no fair-mirded patriotic Ameri-
can can visit West Point, investigate tho
methods of education. the daily life of the
cadet and all the drill and training incident
to a four years course and not feel a gefiu-
Inc admiration for and pride in the institu-
ton
Pure Democracy.
1--WE doubt" says the board in it's re-
port, 'if there is another place in the coun-
try for the education of young men where
they have such Incentive to industry. and
are brought to so high an appreciation OF
the value of time as at the West Point
Military Academy. Apparently every min
ute is utilized. The pure democracy which
cEaracterizes the institution is above all
things to be commended. 1t is the peoples
school, and during the course of four years
the son of the rich man and the son or the
poor man live the same plane. No ia
vors are shown at West Point members
of your committee talked with cadets VINO
came from the humble walks of life, ana, IN
response to inquiry as to whether prefer
ence were shown the sons of prominent
families, or of officers who had rendered
distinguished service to the country, they
were quick to respond that no such charge
most invariably asserted that the path of
the cadet who came from an unknown and
unpretentious family was smoother than
that of his clasSmate whose family name
might be familiar to the world. The atmoS-
phere is one of equality. the environment
a continuous reminder that worth and mer-
1t, virtue. integrity, courage and kindred
attributes of noble manhood were the es-
SentialS to success, promotion ana Ustlnc-
ton
1T is the firm and sincere conviction OF
every member of the board that Congress
should give attention to the pressing needs
of this historic institution. planning for 1t
and making appropriations. to the end that
in the near future the Military Academy,
by reason OF Its matchfess equipment as well
its great name. may be An Inspiration
and source of pride to the people of the re-
public and. at the same time. attract the
attention of the world
The Subject of HaxinG.
On the subject of hazIng the board says,
in part:
After the most searching investigation,
each and every member of the board is
fully satisfied that the practice of hazing,
which. by tradition. had for nearly a CEN
tury been considered inseparably con-
nected with the academy. has been eradt-
Gated. There Is every evidence that when
Col. A. l.. Mills became superintendent of
the academy. in September, 1888, he was
fully determined to deal death blow to
TINS pfdCCCP, WHICH, WHlie 1t might nave
originated in harmless sport and for gener-
ations was condOne. as the natural ebulli-
ton of youth, had in fact desenerated in
some cases into crime. The practice had
that new cadets had little protection.
Former officers of the institution have ap-
peared to rest content with publishing what
might have seemed stringent rules and
regulations bearing on the abuse but which
a matter of fact Were not discouraging
to ii, while a majority of the graduates
of the institution. possibly ignorant OF the
extent of the outrages pract1ced under the
guiSe of sport, argued with great vehe-
mence that to uproot this tradition was
equivalent to destroying the academy ttse (.
An aroused public sentiment. prompt legis-
lation on the part of Congress and the de-
cisive action of the Secretary of War (these
following the disclosures in connection
with the hazing of Cadet Booz, which Incl
dent occurred before Colonel Mills took
charge) made effective determination of the
superintendent to stamp out the brutal and
shameful tradition.
The board, having in mind the strict laws
enacted by Congress. with view to eradi-
eating this barbarouS practice, supplement-
ed by regulations made by the Secretary of
War in accordance herewith: realizing the
full and complete authority now vested in
the superintendent to investigate and to
visit swift punishment and disgrace upon
the guilty; appreciating the solemnity and
sacredness of the oath and obligation taken
by the cadet when he passed the threshold
of the institution. Is convinced that lie Of
ficers and cadets are fully impressed with
the fact that should there ever be d revival
OF this deSpicable and inhuman tradition 1t
would SO shake the faith and confidence of
the country in the honor and integrity Of
the cadets and officers as to seriously en-
danger the life of the institution.
Quoting the language of the subcommit-
tee. which gave special attention to the
question of discipline. viii say that the
board has full faith and confidence in Su-
perintendent Mills and desires to express
its most cordial anprectation of ba luta
upright and successful efforts Ire has made
to stamp out of existence body of prac-
tees inconsonant with modern ideas and
with the character of soldier and gentle
man. The board also expresses its clear
conviction that the sturdy support afforded
the superintendent by the action of the
Secretary Of War has done more than any
thing else could have DONE or than any one
thing in recent years has done. to establish
upon a sound and secure basis the disci-
pline and good order of the academy"
The Academy Should Be Rebuilt.
One OF the most important features OF
the report of the board is recommended
ton THAI the academy should be rebuilt.
The report says:
lit has been nearly LOO years since West
Point was founded. and from the birth of
the institution nearly all the improvements
have been on the patchwork plan There is
but one building constructed by the govern
ment at the post that is in harmony with
this day and generation. All the others are
old, uncomfortable and entirely Inadequate
TO meet present conditions. Few of them
are equipped with any of the conyeniences
to be found in the average public
school building in the country districts OF
many of the states. 1t be trut thfully
said that there Is pressing necessity for
q complete tearing down and a new build
ing up The policy pursued in this regard
at Annapolis should be speedily adopted at
west Point Nothing can be gained by post