The Monticellonian., 1902-08-14
IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS.
Excerpts From the Report of the Board of Visitors to the West Point
 Military Aca 1emy.

Washington, Aug 9.-The board of visitors to the West Point Military academy, consisting of Charles F. Roe, New York, president; Senator Pettus, of Alabama, vice-president; George W. Childs Drexel, of Philadel- phia, secretary; Prof. William k. 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- setts, has made it's annual report to the war department.
 Suggestions as to New Buildings.
 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 taining to the buildings should be act ed upon by committee of not less than three members of the academic board selected by the superintendent ol 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 natter" says the report, ''is 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 recommenda- tion is not intended as reflection up on the present superintendent, Col. Mills, as the board comments the SUI perintendent very highly for what he has done in the matter of buildings at the academy.
 Entrance Requirement..
 The board comments the regula- tions now in force tor the acceptance O. 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 lesseniug the strain which now exists owing to the large amount of elemen- tary teaching crowded into the four s.T T approve the suggestion that fiftb year be added to the course or that a preparatory school for one year should be located near West Point for the reception or cadets designated for the academy
 Commendations-R ecom m n d ations.
 The board comments the change in the law under which the number of cadets shall be substantially in- creased, and also comments the meth cd of dividing classes into small sec- tions 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.
 It approves the fact that heads of departments and instructors 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 course of lectures form a feature of the years course is approved.
 It is recommended that each mem. Der or congress appoint principal and a first and second alternate, in order that the number of cadets may be kept at the maximum. It also is recommended that the pay of the ca det be made $69 per month, same as midshipman at the naval academy.