The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-03-31
The Naval Cadetship from the First
-r..a II District of Virginia.
The following letter from Hon. James b.
Sener will explain itself:
gaz 10 WASHINGTON, d. c.,

Lta.Ers WASHINGTON, ID. o.,
March IS, 1878, J
Messrs. Ho,eland, Griffith and others:
Gentlemen-Yours of February 10th, re-
questing the appointment of Master Griffin
to the cadetship at Annapolis, has recelv-
ed mature consideration at my hands,
and, after patient reflection, have de-
termined, and so take leave to an
nonnce to you, to give this appointment
to that boy--an actual resident Of the Dis
trict--who shall prove himself best quail.
fed for the place, upon an examination as to
health, capacity, character, &C., to be
made by board of competent examiners.
lily reasons for taking this step are these:
/ am equally the representative of the
whole district and Of every part of it, and
it would be manifestly wrong in me, a
Fredericksburg man, to select Frederioks-
burg boy for this place without affording a
fair chance at competition to other merito-
rious youths of the district. / therefore
conceive it to be my duty to give every de-
serving boy, between fourteen and
eighteen years Of age, who may
be an actual resident of the
district. and who may choose to apply,
an equal opportunity to compete for this
prize. am very solictous that the youth
to be selected shall be such an one as will
not only bear himself creditably at the
academy, but will honor the district and
state, and be, in time, an ornament to the
American navy. Nor do | suppose that
you or the friends Of Master Griffin will
object to this mode of selection, for
YOU assure me that he is thoroughly quali-
fled for the position. And inasmuch as 50
MANY fail because either of lack OF quail
fications to enter, or once entered. the
ability to bear themselves successfully
at the academy, and in order
that the district may certainly be
represented at the institution by Q boV wit,
can remain and graduate, have determined
to select competent board to recommend
to me the best boy in the district in every re-
spect for this nomination. | shall require
Of each applicant certificate of good moral
character, satisfactory testimonials OF which
must come from persons OF good repute ~
the neighborhood of the respective resi-
dence Of each applicant Testimonials from
| clergymen. instructors in colleges ana hlgn
schools especially desired, which, IN truth,
is the exact certificate required at the
Academy prior to admission.
This examining board will meet Of Fred.
ericksburg, Va, May 18th, 1873, at
o'clock q. m, at which time all applicants,
who have filed with me their application
in their own handwriting, with their exac
ace and residence, on or before the 10th o
Nav, will be allowed to appear for exami
| nation, The successful candidate vii
have to be at Annapolis by the fifth Q
June next. / have forwarded to the clerl
Of each county court and to the clerk 0
the hustings court Of Fredericksburg,
COPY of the rules and regulations govern
ing admission, SO that every person desrin
information can readily see what is requires
of the candidates as to age and physlcaa
and mental qualifications, &C., upon appli
cation ct said clerks offices.
| The board will be announced in the mex
ten DAYS, or as soon as the gentlemen Sc
lected can be heard from. hope the propr
ETY. Of this step may commend itself to tn
sound Judgment Of you who are my pei
sonal and political friends and whom
should be most happy to oblige in this ma
ter, if I felt that | could do SO consistent
4 with my convictions Of what is right an
nv duty to the rest of the district.
Very respectfully, yours, &C.,
JAMES B, SENER.