New-York tribune., 1904-08-29
NO SECOND WEST POINT.
Reasons Why Another Military
academy Is Not Needed.
To the Editor Of The tribune.

august Isl4l, ne wants second West Point, and
for the following reasons. which, however I may
not arrange in their order OF precedence IN the
professors mind
The reasons arc:
Of F5sAny es5e, G GfonsdsEaoe increase in the number
the Military Academy buildings so that either the
cadets will have further to walk to reach their
viii TOO much separated for efficient rSF barraek rack
Ht i~Gtoh' INFERIOR poHce ana olscipns
oecond-Nlth larger number OF cadets, the
cIockike precision and regularity with which It's
possible.
Third-The classes wiz be too large for any
proficiency and deficiency"
Fourth-The topography OF West Point is not
adapted to applying the past system to large
numbers In plain language, presumably there IS
not room enough for artillery and cavalry drills
Fifth-our academy stands practically i- alone
In retaining a considerable portion of its curricu
ment and not Us,t- at all for r. its utty''
Sixth-"The classes at each school could be car
the single school S5i at Vest Point.
seventh-Increasing the number, OF cadets will
reinstate discharged cadets or to prevent the as
studies may be named to the War Department
for removal from the academy.
Anything written about the United States Mil
itary Academy by of Professor Tilman's ex-
perience West Point will attract the attention.
only of army officers. but of many civilians;
for West Point is dear the American people,
and any material change in its management and
must De CttdIly SAONii ~ oc ~
secure anything like general approval
After all that be said. West Point is great
free school, at the very top of the free schools Of
the country. 1t and its sister academy at An
napoIis the only free schools supported by the
national government all the others being State
institutions.
II. then, better results be had by starting
second school to provide for increase OF cadets.
a second school will be demanded. If. however.
better equally good results can be assured
eularging the establishment
from time to time appear necessary. the country
will not permit second school, especially In view
of the vast expense and the strong probability OF
unsatisfactory results from fancifuI changes in
methods, curriculum and government.
The advanced. then, by Professor TILL
man for a second West Point deserve careful
sideration Taking the professors reasons In the
order I have named he first depreeates the loss
of time that must result from housing cadets at
distance from their recitation and lecture rooms.
But would walk of few minutes in going to
and from recitatons necessarily be lost time? At
Annapolis formerly some OF the midshipmeu were
quartered further from their recitation rooms than
cadets would be from theirs whatever might be
their number And the navy officers considered the
time spent in going and from recitations in the
open air rather time gained than lost. The
short interim between study and recitation was
restfuI and beneficial.
Second-"The clockIike precision" in the per-
formance OF duty cannot be maintained with
larger number OF cadets. Why not? Such an OBJ
lection Will with scant acceptance from West
Point graduates; and for the general public,
there is likely to be considerable astonishment at
a West Point professors admission that military
administration. practised at West Point, would
break down II applied to more than 800 or 400
cadets This reason for demanding second West
Point If true would greatly detract from the
prestige of the present only West Point. This IS
a most unfortunate reason TO be advanced by
graduate" who has spent almost his manhood at
the military academy.
Third-The classes will be too large for any one
| professor 10 handle. TWO associate professors are
already employed. Why should there not be as
many associates may be found requisite. say
one for every hundred cadets in any one class!
And why should not each associate professor grade
his own men and recommend where the line be
drawn between deficient and proncent? The pro-
fessor would have a general supervision OF all
the associate and instructors. and the grading
and deciding as dehcients would be quite as
| likely to ne just and fair at present
As for the Commandants Department which Mas
charge not only Of drills OF all kinds, but OF the
discipline of the cadets. increase in tfe NUMBER
OF cadets would doubtless necessitate resimentaI
organization OF two. or even three battalons IN
stead OF one as "A present. Each battalion would
presumably be commanded by assistant com
| mandant subordinate to the commandant OF the
| corps.
Is anv graduate" willing TO admit that with
such an organization efficient discipline would not
| be maintained? Might we not rather expect even
| better discipline from a generous rivalry among
| the junior commanders?
No This fear Of Professor Tilman's that dis
| cipne cannot be maintained If the number OF
cadets be Increased is unworthy of a graduate To
admit n Is to pronounce the principles OF West
| Point discipline unsound 1t is TO be hoped that
whatever other reasons for second school may
| be advanced this will not be again men
| toned. ,,- ~. -,...
! for the new West Point, which are now nearing
houses from the plain. and adding the GROUNDS
about them to the parade ana innfantTTy plalh'
which will thus be considerably enlarged =,
The present cavalry drill ground is also also 10 ps
added to the infantry plain. ana the artery @ 9 aTS
much larger field to be graded for the purpose at
In the opinion Of competent Judges there will
then be abundant room for drills OF all arms OF
There remains the reason for more room, that
at present the argG[ ranges b are soo But target
ranges of adequate extent are not easy TO find in
s6Ssgn eyen the second West POINT to rural
district far removed from city culture ana @ pehH H
training to become army othcers stand at teast as
much in need OF the refining influences Of polite
Target fields Of larger area than those now used
is probable that in the immediate vicinity OF West
Point target range OIL pStween rhree lam anu tb
OF the present reservation. The village OF Highland
the south. and Immediately south Of the village
is long. narrow valley extending to Fort Mont
Is not cutfvated to any extent and the hillsides
f6ev a5e not eSe beeSe his vaey Would aord sasfae
tory ranges for both artillery and nfantry target
II would be necessary OF course for the govern
ment to control this ground and to remove any any
it. The cost OF the entire valley and OF al t the
wonld be insgnlfcant in comparison with the cost
OF establishing a second West Point
Fifth-To discuss Professor Tillmans fifth reason,
which relates to the curriculum of the only West
Point we now have would require more space
Sixth-The professors sixth reason may also bet