Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1902-08-14
IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS.
of Visitors to the West Point
Military Academy.

Washington, Aug. 9.-The board Of
visitors 10 the West Point Military
academy, consisting of Charles II.
Roe, New York, president; Senator
Pettus, of Alabama, vice-president;
George w. Childs Drexel, of Philadel-
phia, secretary; Prof. William r.
Harper, of Chicago; A. c. Howzee,
Alabama; FL torrance, of Minneapo-
lis; Richard NJ. Young, of Salt Lake
City; Montgomery Schuyler, of New
York; Senator Quarles, Of Wisconsin;
Representative Dick, of Ohio, and
Representative Gillett, of Massachu-
sets, has made its annual report to
the war department.
Suggestions as to New BniIdings.
The most important feature of the
report, in view of the new buildings
which are to be erected at West Point
under the legislation Of the last con-
gress, is that pertaining to buildings.
The board says that all matters per-
tanning to the buildings should be act
ed upon by a committee of not less
than three members of the academic
board selected by the superintendent
OF the academy, these members to
submit their report to- the whole
board, and any action taken to be
subject to the approval of the secre-
tary of war. "This matter" says the
report, sis of so much Importance to
the people OF. the whole country that
it should be under the control Of the
board"
1t is stated that the recommends
ton is not intended as a reflection up
on the present superintendent, Col.
Mills, as the board commenus the SUI
perintendent very highly for what he
has done in the matter of buildings at
the academy.
Entrance Requirement.
The board commends the regula-
tions now in force for the acceptance
OF graduates with certificates from
high schools and normal schools, and
of candidates having a college stand
ing. The report states that inasmuch
as the states and territories are quite
generally supplied with high schools
and colleges, and as West Point is a
technical institution of the military
art and science, the entrance require
ment should he enlarged from time to
time as rapidly and extensively as
practicable with the purpose of per-
hitting an extension in instruction
On purely military subjects, and of
lessening the strain which now exists
owing to the large amount of elemen-
tary teaching crowded into the four
years course. The board does not
approve the suggestion that a fifth
year be added to the course or that
a preparatory school for one year
should be located near West Point for
the reception OF cadets designated
for the academy
The board commends the change in
the law under which the number of
cadets shall be substantially in
creased, and also commends the meth
cd of dividing classes into small Sec
tons for purposes of instruction.
The board recommends that officers
detailed to teach French and Spanish
be ordered abroad for the purpose
Of familiarizing themselves with
those languages.
1t approves the fact that heads of
departments andinstructors are striv-
ing to place themselves in closer
touch with cadets, to the end that
the latter feel less restraint in calling
upon the former for necessary assist
ance.
The enlarged social privileges of
the cadets is commenced, and the
recommendation of Col. Mills that a
course of lectures form a feature Of
the years course is approved.
1t is recommended that each men,
Der OF congress appoint a principal
and a first and second alternate, in
order that the number of cadets may
be kept at the maximum. 1t also is
recommended that the pay of the ca
Diet be made 500 per month, same as
a midshipman at the naval academy.