Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-06-11
A STORMY SCENE AT ANNAPOLIS
captain Ramsay Loses His Head Dur
ing the Graduation Exercises.

| ing the Graduation Exercises.
/ ANNAPOLIS, Md, June 9.-There was
scene at the Naval Academy graduation
this morning that has never been wit
messed at that institution, nor never
probably eXcelled in dramatic interest IL
any cOmmeneementex exercises.
The cadets had listened with great in
terest, and at its finish applauded, tc
the echo, Mr.. Mills address to the
graduates-and especially those points
that severely criticised by implication the
conduct of the cadets in cheering and
groaning at their fellows against the
regulations.
Then Captain Ramsay, Superintendent
OF the Academy, arose to deliver the di
plOmas. Behind him, seated on the plat.
form. were DIR. LeaVett. President of the
st. Johns College, the members of the
Board of Visitors, the members of the
Academy Board and a number of ladies'
captain Ramsay stood with his cooked
hat in hand and full uniform, and looked
straightforward into the audience. His
lips were seen to move. but few of the
spectators heard what he said.
The name of 5. Dana Green. Jr.. the
honor man Of the class, was called. As
Cadet Green stepped forward to receive
his diploma number of cadets broke
into cheers, the usual course ON com.
mencemeHt day When favOrite steps to
the 'front.' to receive the testimony of his
graduation.
In an instant the bright and CHEEKY
scene was changed. Captain Ramsay's
cOuntenance lowered, and in a voice
broken by anger, he said: ''You show
your insubOrdination, and attempt to dis
grace yourselves and the Naval Academy
before the eyes of the country. Those
who applauded march to the 'front.', and
then, TO the astOnishment of the specta-
tors, twenty cadets stood before the irate
superintendent, who said to Lieutenant
! Greene, who followed them uD: ssTake
them to the Santee until further orders"
several OF the convicted cadets parents
were present and saw their sons march
of to prison and nobody seemed to know
! the reason. The line was composed of
Cadets Glasscock, Gray and Webster of
the graduating class; Cadets Mckay.
OMalley, Crisp, Mexican, Ii. b. Jones.
ii. w. Jones and Beecher of the first
class; Cadets Jacobs, Wartield, DeGraft
and tenton of the second class; Cadets
Winrom, Griswold Dodd, Jenkins and
Breed of the third class.
Diplomas were then handed to the
remaining graduates in funeral silence,
the situation being painful and gloomy.
This over, the cadets were marched out
to their quarters, where they were dis
missed. Then it was discovered that the
first words which Captain Ramsay had
spoken were that there should be no APP
plaudIng, and the unfortunate cadets
like nearly all Of the audience, had not
heard it.
The officers and cadets crowded around
the superintendent, and represented
the situation to him. Captain Ramsay
relented and ordered all who had not
heard his orders to be released. In an
hour the cadets We're once more at liberty
Messrs. GlasscOck, Gray and Webster,
of the graduates, We're also given their
diplomas. The orders of the graduates
detach them from the academy and send
them to their homes.
The cadets say that the reason why
Captain Ramsay did not want any ap-
plauding was, that there were several of
his ''SpOOnies,' as the cadets call some
of their fellows who stand by the Captain
IN the graduating class, who would have
been marked by the disapproval of silence
The graduation ceremonies commenced
at 10 O'Clock by the cadets forming with
out arms and marching to the chapel.
Here the exercises were opened by PRAYER
by Chaplain McAllister. Hon. r. o.
Mills, of Texas, then addressed the
graduating class. The diplomas were
delivered by Captain Ramsay The six
stars were 5. Dana Green. Jr., of Rhode
Island, the son of Captain S. Dana Green,
of the United States navy, who graduated
number one; George w. Street, of Wis
cOnsin; Samuel w. Armisted, of Virginia;
William j. Baxter, of Washington; Chas.
p. Eaton, of Wisconsin, and William S.
Aldrich, of New Jersey The other South
ern graduates are Robert c. Alexander, of
Kentucky; Harry A. Field, of Virginia;
Thomas f. Gignlliat, of Georgia;
Alfred p. Agee, of Alabama; Thomas A.
WitherspOon, of Tennessee; Robert r,
Frazier, of Tennessee; Sydney 5. Mitchell,
of Alabama; John a. jackson, of Florida;
Robert IL. Woods, of Virginia; James f.
Palmer, of North Carolina; William H.
Ledbetter, of Texas; Alexander b. Le-
fare, of South Carolina; William T. Gray,
of North Carolina.