Evening star., 1896-10-05
THE NAVAL ACADEMY
Report to Secretary Of the Navy by the Board
= ,. Of Visitors.
A Change In the Method of Salute
r Suggested-Other Recon-
mendatiOns Made. -

|; The board OF visitors to the Naval Acad-
emy, of which Representative ]. b. Robin
son is president, has made a report to the
Secretary of the Navy in regard to the
organization and administration Of that
institution. Che most interesting chapter
of the report is devoted to a consideration
of the rule of the academy which forbids
the officers and cadets to remove their
caps in saluting ladies.
The Matter of Salute.
1--WE have noticed with some SURPRISE"
says the board, that the officers and ca
diets of the academy do not salute the
colors by removing their caps. but simply
touch them after q formal fashion appar-
emily modelled on foreign customs. La
dies are also saluted in the same way and
not by uncovering the head. These prac-
tices are prescribed by orders. Believing
that any marked departure from recog-
nized military and social customs and man
ners is unwise. the board recommends.
first, that the national colOrs be saluted
by Cncovering the head; second, that la
dies be recognized in the manner usual
among gentlemen. 1t is obvious that mill
tary salute is entirely inappropriate when
rendered to lady, who can not hold mill
tary rank nor return the salute in the
same manner
Improvements Recommended.
1HC ~ ar SuDLullleu u SeTlcS VI
recon. mendations for the Improvement Of
the administration Of the academy, Of
which the following are the most import
ant: That the age for admission to the
academy be fixed at from fifteen to eigh-
teen years; that the course of study be re-
duced from six to four years; that the re-
Quirements for admission to the academy
be Increased by the addition of the sub
jects of plane and solid geometry and OF
plane trgonometry; that permanent heads
be appointed to the department of mechan-
les, mathematics. physics. English. Ian
suages; that part. at least. Of every
examination be oral; that a complete
and modern system of sewerage be pro-
vided for the academy; that the sea
wall be extended so as to take in
all Of the low land of the northerly and
easterly sides, and that the space in
closed be filled in; the building of two sail
ing practice vessels for the use of the ca
dets; that one Of the most modern cruisers
be ordered TO Annapolis from time to time;
the construction of lew and thoroughly
equipped building for the use of the depart
ment of ordnance; that a full supply of
modern guns be furnished to the academy;
the construction of new observatory
building; that officers ordered to the Naval
Academy for duty as instructors be retain
ed for three years if their work is salts
factory, ard that the estimates Tor the
maintenance of the United States Naval
Academy be annually Incorporated in a
separate bill.
A Continuous Board Suggested.
The members of the board are satisfied
that the appointment of the board of visit
ors has produced results fully warranting
the continuation Of such appointments.
They are deeply impressed that the ad-
vanced requirements in all branc hes Of the
naval service make it necessary that there
shall be a forward movement involving
the expenditure of money at the Naval
Academy to provide facilities in the way
of accommodations and appliances They
therefore recommend continuous board,
to consist of fourteen members, two of
whom shall he appointed annually by the
President of the Senate, three of whom
lall be appointed annually by the Speaker
of the House of Representatives, and nine
of whom shall be appointed by the Presi-
dent from civil life.
In conclusion. the visitors say, with
pleasure, that the excellent condition of af-
fairs at the academy reflects the greatest
credit upon the executive capacity of the
superintendent, of the commandant of
cadets, and of the corps of officers in gen.
eIal