The sun., 1891-07-13
FUTURE REAR ADMIRALa
Possible Ways OF Improving Their Coarse
OF Training at Annapolis.

OF Training at Aunnpolis.
WASHINGTON. July 12.-The recommended
tions made by this years Board Of Visitors to
the Naval Academy on methods OF manage
ment and instruction contain both new and
old points. and those OF both SORTS are so care
fully put and relate to subjects OF 80 much inn
portancs that they deserve the careful con-
eideration Of Congress-
The leading defect In the present system is
believed to be that which divides the six years
period Of education priorto being com missloned
In the navy into four years at the Academy and
two OF subsequent cruising. II. as at West
Point. the four years at the Academy were at
once followed by commission as an officer in
the rctive service. the problem would be differ
ent. But the actual result is that the two YEATS
spent away from Annapolis can hardly be re-
garded as part OF the acade emic education. The
studies are no longer prosecuted with the came
continuity and experienced SUPERVISION. and
although the cadet must return to that institu-
tion at the end OF the two years, and be examined
again before receiving a commission as En-
sign, yet II is thought that some better system
OF employing the two years could be found.
The old suggestion was that the course
should be frankly reduced to four years. Be-
sides other advantages resulting from that
reduction, 1t would avoid the expense OF pring-
Ing back to tho Academy those who had gone
from 1t with a partial diploma. and would
allow them to enter sooner on ther profess
ional lie. or course the decision as to how
many should be accepted for tho purpose Of
filling existing vacancies in the grade OF
Ensign would come two years earlier. and this
would lead TO n further reduction OF expense.
since there would be no need OF maintaining
during two additional years those for whom
no vacancies were in prospect Above all. 1t
Hrynd yAI a, ,,,~A
who are honorabiy discharged for lack OF
vacancies, they should be aided to make the
change into civil life at as early an age Rs
praS;,tis9be ie instead OF being kert undecided
bottom steps OF n civilian career.
But the present sL, sprern sndent OF the Aead;
another plan to Secretary Tracy which il that
the six years' course should be retained. but
with the cadet continuing to TO under the su-
demic Board. instead Of having other superior
officers ct as now: W Il Is pr posed 70 carry out
practice cruises: so that they and the instruc:
lion in the buildings, under a redistribution Of
w sa Ssa H. Gsshs ct seIsp ss
Al its command. an eI6sustive examination Of
fully enough 10 deem /! feasible. ,. =,
years 10 eighteen. and diseontnuance Of the
present gift Of years p1y to cadets not enter
ln2 'He seINlC0 at the emu OF tue course. ibis
donation has been regarded perhaps. as a
compensation and means Of support while
seeking employment In some new career: but
Its repeal would imply the belief that the Gov
ernment has already given an enviable start
to the young men by six years Of free educa-
ton and manten ance. thus affordn9 them ad-
vantages enjoyed by a very small proportion
OF youth. The PROPOSAL to furnish better cd.
ucntion in engineering is In line with the
grow ing importnnce ce OF steam machinery to the
naval art Still another r.commendntion Of
value Is that cadets shall be appointed one
year In advance OF entrance. and aiternates
nominated ut the same time. and that q course
Of study covering the work OF one year pre-
paratory to admission shall be recomm ended
to zach appointee and alternate as a desirable
preparation for admission. This Is in line with
the efforts made to secure better preparation
OF candidates for West Point and the subject
Is equally important for Annapolis.
It may be ndded that the House Committee
on Naval Ahairs several years ago reported
from six to four years at Annapolis but favored
9 substitute proposed BY Commander. now
Captain. W. T. Sampson, who was Capt. Phyth-
ians predecessor as Superinte endent there.
This substitute divided the cadets. at specified
periods. into two parts, one for the line and
Marine Corps and the other for the Engineer
Corps SO that they might be better fitted for
their specific duties. Yet even from this SUBJ
stitute Q proposed reduction to four years.
which Capt. Sampson had favored. was stricken
out Possibly the modification offered by Capt.
Phythian may meet greater favor.