The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-03
UNCLE sxM,s NATA1 CADETS.


VI
Their 6ehooiink At Annspoiis.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 2-The radical recon-
mendations made by this years Board Of
Visitors at the Naval Academy. which have
Just been given to the public. will excite much
discussion. The proposal to lowcr the stand
OF admission In certain respects. and to pur-
sue at the Academy some studies now re.
auired as preliminary to entrance. 10 itself O
novelty, and contrasts strongly with this years
Recommendation OF the Board Of Visitors at
West Point that the standard OF admission at
the latter institution shall DO raised.
Another striking recomm endation Is that OF
having the entire cadet course OF six years
passed at tho Academy. in place OF the present
four years, with two Of subsequent cruising.
In substance. this recommendation has been
made before. but the point to be noted is that
the present Board would have no material ad-
dition to the studies pursued under such q
frightening OF tho course at the Academy. and
would substitute simple spreading OF the
present studies over six years instead OF four.
with the result Of giving longer periods for
practice cruises. and much more instruction
In the actual details Of navigation and OF life
aboard the war ship. This plan would involve
large number Of practice vessels for the use
OF the Academy. and under the plan proposed
four classes would have prolonged cruise Of
four and half months each year. beginning
the latter part OF May and ending the first part
OF October. The first second. fourth, and sixth
classes would be selected each year for this
purpose. the third and nth getting instead
practical work at the Academy from May %.
the starting time OF the cruise. to July l5.
and then vacation until the return OF the
other classes from tho cruise on the 9Th OF
October This. it will be secn. would allow
two long leaves OF absence to each cadet
during his nj hat a. IN IA.
third and fifth year.
Joined with this system OF prolonged and
concentrated work at the Academy is the pro-
posed removal OF all educational schools and |
stations Of instructions for naval officers to |
Annapolis. That Of course would take both |
the Naval War College and the torpedo station |
from Newport to the Naval Academy. But this |
proposal would be strongly opposed. whatever
might be done with the remaining features Of
lind that the courses OF practical instruction
Tor officers are in no ca Sc carried at West
Point: nu, are ssdulousy Kent away from the
Artillery school at Fort Monroe. as well as the
torpedo appliances: are wholly disconnected
with the Military Academy, Hence the argu-
consolidation OF postgraduate and under
graduate schools at Annapolis would he eco
ances, and assembling the most etiicient
instructors at a single point. may be Offset
by certain p!raetiea! adyantages & dsseysrinc
actually commissioned. The suggestion that
the corps OF teachers should not be fined
to the navy. but should admit experts from
civil life who possess special qualifications,
seems worthy OF consideration.
Turning to the mooted question OF four years
or six at the Academy. it is to 10 observed that
a former plan was to reduce the entire course
ing the full commission in the navy. as graffu-
ate- are commissioned in the army. One ad.
e. In not th 81 plan wGnd be that it would
those who are on cruises. 80 that they may
sooner receive their. diplomas and fully enter
matter OF simrfe Justice to those who were
not to he retained in the service. either because
they were not, fitted for it. that the decision
should be made in regard to them as early as
prompt to occupations in civil lie. III This de
cisi"n. In fact. with four years course. could
thus allowing further reduction Of expense ea
b%s all events Ses be made the end
put the suggestion that better plan would be
the continuance Of the cadet for six years un-
Board: and that is really tho basis
Of the present recommendations This PROJECT
Board OF Visitors. which, however aV did OF not
have "a s sun opportunity fully to examine
may be recalled that several years ago S.cre.
'aEy Herbert, when In Congress- introduced a
Dill making the entire course for cadets four |
years instead OF six. The House Committee
On Naval Affairs reported against that pro-
oosal. but favored ono OF Commander. now
Captain. Sampson. who was Capt. Phythian's |
predecessor as superintendent at the Acad-
emy. for dividing the cadets at fixed periods
and the marine corps aud the other for the |
engineers. so that they might be educated
with more special reference to their branches !
of the profession. Cant. Sampson had also ia
1ored a reduction OF the course to four years
but that part Of the plan was stricken out.
III Rnnnl1 ha naH nj |
here is much to lie said in favor OF so re-
arranging II that it may lie fully passed under
he supervision and control or the academic !
instructors. Certainly they would have more
interest han other officers could he expected
o take in looking after tho studies OF tho |
,adets during the two extra years. and the
practice cruises, which would thus become a
more prominent Part Of the education OF the
'adet, would also be directed lore closely to |
lis instruction In the duties OF his calling.