Statement of the account of the Pay Department with the several appropriations subject to its control, Sc.-Continued. Mileage.... Pay of the Army General expenses Pay of Military Academy. Pay of Military Academy Pay, &c., of the Army. Pay of Military Academy BENJAMIN ALVORD, Paymaster-General, U. S. A. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS OF THE U. S. MILITARY ACADEMY. OFFICE OF THE VICE-ADMIRAL, Navy-Yard, New York, July 23, 1875. SIR: I have the honor to forward to the Department, by to-day's mail, the report of the Board of Visitors for West Point in June, 1875. The members of the board desired me to sign the report for them; and those of the Senate and the House expressed a desire to join in the report, and also authorized me to sign for them. I hope the arrangement will be satisfactory to the Department. Hon. W. W. BELKNAP, S. C. ROWAN, Vice-Admiral U. S. N. Secretary of War, War Department, Washington, D. C. SIR: The Board of Visitors appointed to attend the annual examination of the United States Military Academy, met at West Point, May 31, 1875, and were organized by the appointment of a chairman, a secretary, and three committees, on instruction, on discipline, and on fiscal affairs. All the members of the board, including those appointed from the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives, with a single exception, were present most of the time from the commencement of the examination until its close, and participated in the various inquiries which were instituted by the board. In accordance with the law of Congress these inquiries related to "the discipline, instruction, police, administration, fiscal affairs, and other concerns of the institu tion." In pursuing their examinations the board were aided efficiently by the superintendent, General Ruger, and all who are associated with him in the administration and instruction of the academy. Every department of the institution was thrown open to inspection at any time. The books and accounts were freely accessible. In response to written inquiries, detailed statements were submitted to the board. All the officers showed great readiness in furnishing the information which was sought, and there were opportunities for free and informal conversation with the cadets. The board took advantage of these means of acquiring knowledge, and were satisfied that the publicity with which every official act is performed and recorded protects the nation against the creeping in of serious abuses. More than this, the board were satisfied that in all de |