Cases of eye trouble, due in a large measure to insufficient light, continue to occur, and emphasize what was said in my last report regarding the necessity for an adequate lighting plant. An electric one should be furnished. The present gas plant is taxed to its capacity now, and will be overtaxed when buildings under construction are completed. The existing gas plant is not believed to be capable of sufficient enlargement to meet the demands that will be made upon it.

Attention is invited to the appended report of the surgeon for the work done in his department, and his recommendations.

DISCIPLINE.

The discipline of the corps of cadets has greatly improved during the year, and is now in an excellent state. It is believed no military body of its size exists which excels it in soldierly appearance and in the perfection of drill and military exercises, as well as in the higher requirements of devotion to duty. This satisfactory condition has been attained by firm adherence to the measures adopted during the past three years to create among the cadets a higher soldierly regard for their obligations, in particular those pertaining to hazing. While these measures and the subject itself have been fully covered in previous reports to the War Department, both will be reviewed here at considerable length on account of their importance. Such review, it is hoped, may in a measure correct some of the many erroneous impressions given and the prejudices excited last winter by the sensational manner in which a section of the public press exploited certain allegations regarding a former cadet. These allegations made it appear that the responsible officers of the institution were derelict and indifferent to their duty and the cadet body the opposite of what its members in reality are manly young soldiers, well qualified, with but very few exceptions, to be representatives of our country and serve in its armies.

Hazing and its attributes alone gave grounds for the criticism which was directed at the institution early in the year. In one form or another the practice has existed for many years. By repressive measures it has often been reduced to mild forms, but with any relaxing of these measures it has taken on renewed life and new features. In recent years, due in a measure to new conditions, it had developed to an extent of severity never before attained, I believe, and in cases it was carried to extremes. All cadets have not been in sympathy with the practice, nor indulged in it, and but few in any class have carried it to a point of brutality.

From the assumption of my duties as Superintendent the extent of the practice and its effect on the military training of cadets and the welfare of the institution were recognized. Lieutenant-Colonel Hein, commandant of cadets, and at that time Acting Superintendent, had been exerting all the powers of his office to suppress it. His efforts were continued throughout his tour as commandant of cadets, and were aided and seconded by me, and every endeavor was made to eradicate the practice. The utmost vigilance was exacted of the officers, under whose immediate supervision cadets live, to report violations of the many orders covering the subject. Every offense established or any act having in any way a bearing on hazing was summarily and severely punished. The privileges and responsibilities of cadets were increased

and persistent personal and official endeavor was made to create among them a healthy sentiment against the practice.

The principal obstacles encountered in combating hazing were: A defect in the regulations which previous Superintendents, as well as myself, found operated to prevent obtaining the necessary evidence to proceed against the cadets who indulged in it; a strong class and corps feeling among cadets; the fact that the majority of cadets had come to believe that hazing was one of the traditions of the institution and that more or less of it was a necessary part of the training required to hold the body of cadets to the perfection of drill and appearance; and, finally, public sentiment outside of the cadet body, instead of being arrayed against it, seemed, from the commendatory talk reaching cadets and articles that often appeared in print, rather to favor it.

When public attention was called to the subject of hazing at the Military Academy by the allegations above referred to much had already been accomplished to abate the practice. The harsher forms had been voluntarily abandoned by cadets, and a strong and rapidly growing sentiment against the practice had been created among them. The firm attitude of the War Department in supporting the authorities in the endeavors they were making had a most salutary effect, and the Department also had so strengthened and changed the regulations of the Academy that their application with the coming of this year's new class would have insured a total suppression of the practice with its attendant evils. It is to be regretted that this most desirable end was not to be attained without publicity.

While the evidence adduced before the military court of inquiry and the Congressional committee last winter showed that the allegations in the case which led to the inquiries were not true, the evidence laid bare the full extent of the practice as it had existed, and thereby resulted in much good by the public condemnation it evoked, and also by the wise legislation that followed the Congressional committee's report.

The question of the further continuance of any form of hazing was definitely settled in May last. Notwithstanding the lessons of the winter's searching inquiries, it was evident, when in March the candidates for admission appeared to take their examinations, that some members of the fourth class felt that attention, other than that exercised by authority, should be given to these prospective newcomers, and one of that class was severely punished for what, under other circumstances, would have been but a small departure from proper conduct. Shortly thereafter two members of the second class (at that time the senior class at the Academy), both being cadet officers, were also punished for offenses connected with hazing.

On April 16 a number of cadets engaged in an insubordinate demonstration directed at the Superintendent. This demonstration was the outcome of the three punishments above referred to, and was incited by a group of insubordinate cadets of the second class who resented the attitude of authority in enforcing to the letter the law forbidding hazing. The nstigators of the demonstration were dismissed, the leading participants in it were suspended for a year, and the lesser ones punished according to the degrees of their offense. Regrettable as it was to have to take such drastic measures as dismissal and suspension, no other course was open, as all lesser measures had failed to secure the desired ends.

That this action, and the indorsement it met by the authorities and the public in general, has resulted in good, can not be doubted.

Throughout the past summer's encampment, which is the time when new cadets are being initiated into their new life, and when hazing is ordinarily practised, it is a fact that the great majority of cadets have obeyed the new order of affairs and the regulations loyally and willingly. Not one case of maltreatment of a new cadet is believed to have occurred; none have been required to perform services of a menial nature for old cadets; there has been no prearranged fighting, and new cadet training has made exceptional progress. One cadet was severely punished for giving an unauthorized and absurd order to a new cadet, and another for exceeding his authority as a drillmaster over them. The action of the latter arose, I believe, through excessive zeal rather than a hazing spirit. Another reform has also been accomplished the abolition of what is known as official hazing, or the harsh and nagging tones of the cadet instructors over new cadets and cadet officers exercising authority, and the substitution therefor of methods more appropriate for the training and education of young men to command in an American army.

The good conduct and loyal spirit of obedience shown by cadets throughout the summer are most gratifying to all officers of the Academy, as also are the many encomiums passed, without a dissenting voice, as far as has been learned by the press and distinguished visitors upon the appearance of the cadets at the Pan-American Exposition by reason of their universal gentlemanly conduct and excellent military efficiency, deportment, and bearing.

The reforms that have been indicated mark an important era in the history of discipline and military instruction at the Academy. Diligence and discretion on the part of responsible officers will make these reforms permanent, without in the slightest degree marring the perfection of drill, appearance, and discipline. The custom among cadets of settling disputes or difficulties among themselves by prearranged and often brutal fist fights is over, and there need be no apprehension that the stoppage of such affairs will in any way impair a proper habit of manly selfdefense against personal assaults or insult.

Following the enactment of Congress which required the Superintendent of the Military Academy to prepare regulations, to be approved by the Secretary of War, which would effectually stop hazing, the regulations which were in existence at the time of the enactment have been improved and added to, and as now strengthened by congressional sanction are so comprehensive in detail that their reasonable application not only insures the present eradication of the practice, but should for the future prevent the recurrence of the practice or any of its attributes.

ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION.

The most important matter to claim attention under this head is the action taken by Congress at its last session, which places for the future the entrance examination into the Military Academy in the control of the Secretary of War. By the enactment: "Appointees shall be examined under regulations to be framed by the Secretary of War before they shall be admitted to the Academy, and shall be required to be well versed in such subjects as he may, from time to time, prescribe."

This action marks a signal change in the history of the Academy and one that can not but result in broadening and making more useful its course. In 1812 the requirements for admission were fixed by statute, and, with the exception of the addition of three elementary studies in 1866, have remained unchanged to the present year, notwithstanding the fact that the country's school facilities are vastly superior to what they were at those dates, and the great educational progress our country has made in the meantime. This fact has placed the Academy at a heavy disadvantage for many years in its work.

The new departure will not only enable the War Department to maintain the requisites for admission in harmony with the standards of preparation which are established by the public schools of the country, but by bringing these requisites in the same category as the subsequent system of studies and instruction, which is under the direction of the War Department, a greater flexibility of the course will be permitted and modifications which time makes necessary can be more readily made.

Among the immediate benefits to follow the change will be a considerable reduction of the mental work required of the new cadet in beginning the course of study the first year, and before he has thoroughly adapted himself to the requirements of the Academy's course and methods. It is expected also that modifications of the course of study can be soon made, without adding to the amount of mental work now done by a cadet in the four years, so as to give a large increase in the time allowed for the study of the Spanish language over what has been formerly possible, in order to enable cadets to have a knowledge of this language more nearly in accordance with its future importance to the Army.

A copy of the new-type examination questions is hereto appended, marked "I." In determining the scope of this examination, the most careful effort was made to bring the requirements into harmony with the subjects covered in the public schools at the minimum age of admission. In this work the Academy has had the advice and assistance of the Hon. William T. Harris, United States Commissioner of Education. His aid and criticism were of great help, and his suggestions were followed. Grateful acknowledgment is made for the interest he took in the matter. The new requirements will take effect with the next annual entrance examination, May 1, 1902. These examinations in future, under orders of the War Department, will be limited to one each year, instead of several as in the past, and will be held on the 1st day of May at a largely increased number of military posts in all parts of the country, designated with a view of reducing to a minimum the expenses of candidates in appearing. It is believed this single entrance examination will be productive of much good and that it will result in the improvement in the class of candidates selected and who present themselves for examination; for experience has shown that with two or three examinations permitted each year, many candidates appear at the first who have no prospect and little hope of passing, but with the intention, upon failure, of returning and trying a second or third time for admission. With but one examination it is believed that greater discrimination will be shown in selecting candidates and fuller preparation will be made upon the part of the candidates.

The adoption by the War Department of the further rule by which

in future Senators and Representatives are to be requested in nominating candidates to the War Department, to name a principal and two alternates, will be productive of much good. Under these changes there will be fewer vacancies at the Academy and another result will be a somewhat better prepared class of candidates. All will enter the institution at the same time and receive precisely the same military instruction in the summer encampment, which instruction is almost essential in order that the new classes may receive the proper elementary military training and become imbued with the proper spirit of subordination. Where candidates report at other times than that indicated above, they are at a considerable disadvantage, and there is necessitated a considerable number of drillmasters and instructors from the upper classes who are, to their great detriment, deprived of their own military instruction, which they are unable subsequently to obtain.

The single examination will also diminish the great labor connected with more numerous examinations to the evident advantage of the regular academic work of nearly all the departments of instruction. The method proposed of naming one principal and two alternates for each vacancy, if followed by Senators and Representatives, will involve both the principle of selection and competition, and, it is confidently thought, will produce better results than any system heretofore followed in filling vacancies. In connection with the entrance examination a project is under consideration, and will be submitted to the War Department, for the admission of candidates without further mental examination who have matriculated at incorporated colleges, or who at a bona fide competitive examination have passed a satisfactory examination.

To further improve and broaden the education given at the Military Academy, I beg to renew my recommendation of last year for a small appropriation for the purpose of establishing a course of lectures on timely topics by capable speakers from civil life. It is believed such a course of lectures by carefully selected and capable speakers, during recreation evenings in winter, will tend to make the education of cadets broader and more liberal than it now is, and will give results fully justifying the small additional expense that would be incurred.

The instruction of the several classes and the degree of proficiency attained during the past year have been highly satisfactory. The unremitting labors of the heads of the departments of instruction have elevated the work done in the class rooms, and it is believed this work was never more efficient.

In the line of improvement: In. the department of drawing more attention and time have been given to field reconnoissance and military sketching, and a still further increase in this direction is in contemplation during the coming term; in the department of modern languages a new text-book on the Spanish verb and on Spanish pronunciation has been added; and in the department of mathematics, C. Smith's Treatise on Algebra has been substituted for Davies's Bourdon's Algebra. In the latter department other important changes have also been made. In the fourth-class course geometry was taken up in September, and lessons in that subject were made to alternate daily with lessons in algebra until the course in geometry was completed. Algebra was then made to alternate daily with lessons in trigonometry during the remainder of the course, and so that the courses in both these subjects terminated simultaneously about April 16, when examinations in both

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