Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-26
REVENUE MARINE. CADETS.
A Proposition for Practice Course of
Instruction.
The Cutter Chase May BE Used for
That PurpOse-Arguments for
and Against the Scheme.

The Treasury Department has under
favorable consideration proposition for
the establishment of a cadet course In the
revenue marine service. similar to that in
the United States navy. A course Of this
character for the revenue service was au-
thorized by Congress in 1876 and was tried
from 1877 to 1890 and then abandoned. Its
new advocates say that 1t did not receive
a fair trial and are confident that another
trial would give an entirely different re-
suit. The course of instruction proposed
aims at the preparation Of cadets for COM
missions as line officers in the rev.
enue marine service. The old sys-
tenn was abandoned in 1890, when
the Treasury Department decided to draw
upon the Naval Academy for its revenue
marine line officers. Since then experience
has demonstrated that the surplus grad
yates Of the Naval Academy are not suf-
f1ciently numerous to meet the needs of
the revenue service. Since 1891 only about
nfteen naval graduates have entered the
revenue service. and there are now four
teen vacancies in the list of third lieu
tenants, which is the lowest commissione ed
grade In the service.
Practice Shin.
The new movement has made such favor
able progress that 1t is understood that the
mission in the course Of a month, will be
used almost exclusively as a practice vessel
for cadets.
The Chase is a bark-rigged sailing vessel.
She Is at present out of commission and
laid up at New Bedford. Mass. 1t is further
htimated that the Chase will be given a
rowing commission. and that the period Of
cadet instruction will be spent almost en-
tireiy at sea. 1t Is understood to be the in
tention OF the Treasury Department to
limit all future appointments as cadets in
tne revenue marine corps to young men
VINO have received an academic or collegiate
course OF education. The course Of instruc-
tion ABOARD the cadet practice ship win be
purely practical.
College Graduates Available.
A revenue marine officer. who is we'll in
formed In regard to the cadet system in
that service. said 1t would be bad policy
to attempt to impart a collegiate course OF
instruction to cadets in addition to a profess
stonal training. He pointed out that there
are too many young men just graduated
from college who would be glad to sign a
maintain at heavy expense a Treasury De-
partrnent school. He argued that as the
government maintains at heavy expense a
national school for the instruction OF yo,n q
men In all that pertains to the sea- the
Secretary Of the Treasury should avail him
self OF the facilities at Annapolis and have
educated in that institution the cadets des-
tined for the revenue marine corps.
Cadets Mny he Appointed.
The Secretary Of the Treasury Is author
lied by law to appoint cadets in the rev.
enue marine corps. but no provision is made
for education. The advocates Of the present
scheme contend that 1t Is quite practicable
for the Secretary Of the Treasury to ar
range with the Secretary of the Navy for
the detail Of a limited number of revenue
marine cadets to take the Annapolis course.
Inc expenses OF the latter at Annapolis
would be less on the Treasury Department,
It Is Eaid. than If the Secretary of the
Treasury attempted to maintain these
cadets at a school Of its own
II Is believed that the Navy Department
Will not oner any serious opposition to such
an arrangement, and its advocates say that
Its consummation would undoubtedly re-
suit to the benefit Of the government in i'm
proving the revenue marine service and at
the same time increasing the number of
naval trained officers available in time of
war.
New Regulations Issued.
The Secretary Of the Treasury TODAY is
sued regulations governing the admission
OF cadets in the revenue marine service.
Among other things. they require that the
candidates shall be citizens of the United
states. Of good moral character and NOT
less than eighteen nor more than twenty
three years Of age.
No married man will be appointed a ca
det; and the marriage Of a cadet will be
considered as equivalent to his resigna-
ton. and his name will be stricken from
the register forthwith ~
Candidates will be required to pass a sot-
isfactory examination as to their physical
qualifications before a board of medical
officers.
Inc mental exanination. which will be
entirely in writing, will be confined to the
following subjects: Mathematics dnclId-
ing arithmetic, algebra, geometry and trigo-
nometry). physics, chemistry, grammar.
geography. literature language 0Serman
ton. 'o
The probationary term of cadets IA two
years, during which time they will he re,
Quired to pursue a prescribed course of
study, and to perform such duties on boa I'd
ship or elsewhere in the service as NAV he
assigned them by proper authority.