Year: 1864

TIN ignorant prejudice against the Unit
ed States military School at West Point,
N. Y, has pretty much died out Early in
the war some of the claqners of civilian
generals attempted tO decry our officers
who had studied war as q science at that
institution, but there is too much hard
sense in the American people to be misled
forSauy length of time by any such nou-
sense. At present the sense of the value
of West Point to the nation for the educa-
ton of the future officers of its armies is
gaining upon the people, and justly. Many
of the last board of visitors went to the
institution with strong prejudices against
it, but after thorough examination last
ing through sixteen days, and extended 20.
merely to the studies of the cadets, but
their discipline, morals police aud the gen
eral administration of the school, the board
became unanimous as to to its great prac-
teal value, and the Importance of eularg-
ing its capacity aud adapting it more fully
to the growing military necessities of the
country. The board also found that the
rumors of immortality among the students
were falsei that they hold as high posi-
ton in this respect as most college stu
dents, aud in some respects better, as three
OF the four classes have unanimously ard
voluntarily pledged themselves to abstain
wholly from intoxicating liquors during
their connection with the school. 1t
would be gratifying if ss good a report
could be made of any one of our colleges


The board of visitors recommended
several important changes; that the uum-
Der of cadets be increased to 400, which
is the present capacity oil the institution;
that the age and requirements for aduis-
sion be advanced; and most important
OF all, that competitive examination
be substituted for appointment to
cadetships. As now admitted bv recon-
meudation of members of Congress, and
appointment by the president, great
many incompetent boys get into the school,
who ind themselves unable to pursue the
studies aud are obliged to leave. This is
humiliatiug to them aud their friends, and
damage to the general scholarship of the
Institution. Less than one-half of those
admitted heretofore admitted have gradua


ted in some classes not over forty per
cent. If there were fair competitive ex-
animation, by which from all the eandi


dates yearly there should be selected those
best fitted by genious aud acuuirements ts
to excel in mathematical and military
studies, ouly the boys would get admitted
who would honor ard serve the nation by
the fruits of their education, and the pub
lie money would not be squandered as in
too many cases, On the sons and nephews
OF congressman, who go to West Point
only to be educated at the expense of the
government, and with no intention of rem
deriug an equivalent in future public SER
vice. Competitive examination is the rule
IN all the military schools of Europe. ANY
Frenchman, from sixteen to twenty years
Of age, can get admission to the Polytech-
mic school of FrAnce-the best of its kind
in the wOrId-if he can pass the rigorous
examination required, and stands among
the number to beyearly admitted who rank
highest on examination. Congress can do
no better service to West Point and the
country than by adopting the recommends
tiOn of the board of visitors, aud providing
for admissions to the school hereafter By
competitive examinations. And not ouly
upon West Point will this change be OF
good influence; it will have salutary and
stimulating effect upon thousands of smart
and ambitious boys in all our public
schools, and thus indirectly promote the
cause of popular education. IfitshaIl also
tend to substitute mathematical aud scieu.


sife studies for some of the fancy work
and nonsense now prevalent in our high
schools, it will be most valuable gain to


the future generations.


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