Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-09
IMPROVEMENTS SUGGESTED


f. The present four years course with
out material additions In study to spread
over five years, with longer periods allotted
to practice cruises. and more professional
5. The third and fifth classes to have
practical work at the academy from May
y to July 15; then to have leave until Oc-
tober 8, two months and twenty days. and
no leave to be granted to other classes.
g. Four classes first, second, fourth and
SIXTH to make a four and a half months
practice cruise June. July, August and Sep
TENDER. and eight days each in May and
October)
Z. The practice ships to have a command
ing officer. an executive, and two fnstruc-
tors. and the ships to be otherwise Off
cered by cadets Of the first and second
classes, who will perform the duties of nav
igation (under the supervision of an in
structor). and the duties OF watch and d.
vision officers.
CThe above are the recommendations of
the superintendent, unanimously indorsed)
Standard Of Age.
8. 1t Is recommended that the standard
Of age for admission to the academy be
hereafter not less than fifteen nor more
than seventeen years.
y. We further recommend that the pres
ent swordmaster, in view Of his long and
faithful service. be retired at the age of
sixty-two, with the pay of a retired boat
swain.
10. The board submit to the Secretary
of the Navy the propriety of his recon-
mending at q time iI the near future an
appropriation by Congress for the con-
struction of an edifice suitable for the de-
poslt and display Of the numerous trophies
row the property OF the navy, gathered
IN various places and said to be slowly CO.
Ing to waste and dust. the place of the
erection Of the building to be left to the
Judgment of Congress or of the Secretary.
We cannot compliment too highly the ad
mlnistration OF the faithful and efficient
SUPERINTENDENT and officers of this Naval
Academy. and congratulate you and ali of
our fellow-countrymen upon having such a
great institution, in charge of competent
gentlemen. who. IN addition to training
our young men to be Of practical service
to their government, are inculcatin9 In
them those principles which stamp the
character of true American manhood.
me report is signed by Scott Ship, presi-
Wa, mas. :. Randall, vice president; Ad
Meyer, NJ c.: Jos. H. Cultivate. NJ. C.:
Lew Wallace John c. Pegram, John K
Gowan, Cyrus Townsend Brady George G.
PERKINS, Z. S. s.; ]. r. Mcpherson, L. s,
81 5. +. Langley and Charles II. Wilcox.
improvements Advised.
The subcommittee on grounds and build
ings recommended the following repairs
and improvements: Extension of sea wall
on north front and filling in space thus in
closed; extension of sea wall on east front
from angle in wall to inner end of Du
Boise wharf: bulkheading Hanover street
side from present end of wall to same
wharr ana ffil.ng in; building sea wall at
ferry wharf; removal of hill and grading on
new grounds. Ten thousand dollars for a
portion or this work is included in the ma
val appropriation bill now before the Sem
ate, but the work will require the adti-
tional sum OF $1,000. Raising the sea wall
around academy grounds sufficiently high
to prevent overflow by high tides; estimated
cost, $4,000 Raising sea wall around ma
val cemetery and hospital grounds and fill
Ing in to grade; estimated cost, $4,000 The
urgent and great necessity for this was
shown during this year on three occasions
when the lower portion of the grounds was
covered with water and floating debris
fires were put out In the gas plant and
lower retorts cracked. lower flooring of
carpenters and masons shops and boat
house fioated.
On Drill, Discipline, Etc.
The subcommittee on drill, discipline
practical exercise. ETC., reported that it has
observed the various drills and practical ex-
ercises Of the different classes exhibited, and
is much impressed by the wide scope of the
physical and military training of the cadets,
as we'll as the thorough manner in which
they are instructed therein. The committee
says: With SO wide and diversified a curri-
culum Of such training and instructions as
is called for during the limited residence of
the cadets at the academy, 1t Is hardly less
than surprising to find such a high degree
of excellence in most Of them, especially
considering the great demands upon their
time for mental training and study. Per-
haps the only criticism called for in this
connection Is the lack of manual dexterity
and possibly of serious interest in practical
seamanship. This is, however, easily ex-
planned by the very limited opportunities
for exercises aloft on board of vessels Of a
bygone type. While these defects will
doubtless be largely remedied by the ap-
preaching practice cruise, it is the opinion
Of the committee that every facility should
be enjoyed while at the academy for exer-
else and training Of this character.
Although the type Of man-of-war repre-
scented by the frigate and sloop Of war of
the last generation Is apparently obsolete
the qualities Of dexterous and ready sea-
manship can never be supernuous in a naval
officer, and these qualities can best be &C
quired in such vessels. The Bancroft. a
recent acquisition to the academy. answers
admirably the demands for giving practice
In the modern sense. as well as drills under
steam. The committee would strongly rec
ommend that these facilities for practice
afioat be supplemented by one or two small
square-rigged sailing vessels. kept constant
ly ready for such service at the NavalAcad-
envy. 1t should never be lost sight Of that
and not merely a scientific mechanical en-
gineer, and no available means should be
kept unemployed to promote and facilitate
such training.
Considering the limited opportunities for
observing the actual state of discipline en-
5oyed by the committee any Judgment
thereupon must be more or less superficial
but from such observation. aided by inQui-
ries among the different officers, whose du-
ties here fit them 20 give intelligent opinions
upon the subject, the committee is led to
believe that the administration has MAIN
tanned the excellent state of discipline
among the cadets which has characterized
the school for many years. 1t is believed
however, that an improvement may be ex-
pected in this respect, II the important
changes Of administration recommended by
the superintendent shall be adopted, so
soon as such changes shall have had time
and opportunity to show results.
Satisfaction Expressed.
On the whole, your committee, in report
ing upon the special subjects referred to it,
feels constrained to express a very high de-
gree Of satisfaction with the standing Of
the school in the essential features OF drill
discipline. physical exercise, administration
and police.
The reasons for reducing standard ad-
mission are these:
The change will guarantee strict justice
to candidates who have not had fair facil- |
titles for preparation. and will give to rep
reSey.tatives Of all sections of the country
equal chances for admission. 1t will break
up the pernicioIs system Of "cramming"
for a special examination, by means of
which many comparatively stupid boys
with but a superficial Knowledge OF the sew
eral branches, gain admission into the |