Cadet Life at West Point

by Hugh T. Reed

8 Bank presidents.

23 Bank officers.

30 Editors.

179 Authors.

In accordance with sections 1327, 1328 and 1329 of the Revised Statutes of the United States a Board of Visitors, composed of twelve persons, seven appointed by the President, two by the presiding officer of the Senate, and three by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, was for years annually appointed to visit the Military Academy to “inquire into the actual state of discipline, instruction, police administration, fiscal affairs, and other concerns of the institution, and reported the same to the Secretary of War for the information of Congress.” Each member of the Board received not exceeding eight cents per mile traveled, by the most direct route, from his residence to West Point and return, and in addition, five dollars per day for expenses during each day of his service at West Point. This Board visited and inspected the Academy during the first two weeks of June.

The Act of Congress approved March 4, 1909, among other things says:

“That hereafter the Board of Visitors to the Military Academy shall consist of five members of the Committee on Military Affairs of the Senate and seven members of the Committee on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the respective chairman thereof, who shall annually visit the Military Academy on such date or dates as may be fixed by the chairman of the said committees; and the Superintendent of the academy and the members of the Board of Visitors shall be notified of such date by the chairman of the said committees, acting jointly, at least fifteen days before the meeting. The expenses of the members of the board shall be their actual expenses while engaged upon their duties as members of said board, and their actual expenses for travel by the shortest mail routes: Provided further, That so much of sections 1327, 1328 and 1329, Revised Statutes of the United States, as is inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed.”

The Military Academy, upon which millions of dollars have been expended on grounds and buildings alone, is maintained by the Government solely for the practical and theoretical training of young men for commissions in the army, and that the investment is appreciated by the country is voiced by its public men, a few quotations being given here.

From his experience in the War of 1812 and service on Indian campaigns, General Andrew Jackson while President of the United States in a message to Congress said:

“I recommend to your fostering care, as one of our safest means of national defense, the Military Academy. This institution has already exercised the happiest influence upon the moral and intellectual character of our Army; and such of the graduates from various causes may not pursue the profession of arms will be scarcely less useful as citizens. Their knowledge of the military art will be advantageously employed in the militia service, and in a measure secure to that class of troops the advantages which in this respect belongs to standing armies.”