The record-union., 1897-11-27

representatives. The very fact that
we are capable of manufacturing ar
NOR and guns, powder and projectiles,
and to construct ships which are the
equals of those built anywhere else
is in itself source of great naval
power, and our present resources in
this respect should not be impaired. We
should preserve and maintain these re-
sources and the ability not only to
continue the work already so we'll ad-
vanced, but to improve upon it. as the
science of naval construction, as it is
sure TO Go, develops the new models
and methods which at this age of prog
ress so rapidly replace the best of to-
day with the better of tomorrow
Hitherto for more than decade the
increase of the navy has very proper
ly been in the line of new ships, and
wisely so, as this has hitherto been the
vital need. In the opinion of the de-
partment, the time has now come when
that increase should be on adiunctory
lines in order to bring our naval facili-
| ties up to the same line of advance.
LAS to the best method of securing
an additional number of officers, the
Superintendent of the Naval Academy
| is concurred in by the Chief of the Bu-
reau of Navigation, that cadets be COM
missioned at the end of the four years
course, instead of two years later. as
ct present, thus doing away with the
two years cruise which cadets are now
required TO perform before graduation.
and at once adding to the active list
of the navy about sixty officers-the
| cadets now at or txx-o x-aa,.c,
cruise-and insuring the graduation of
| larger classes from the Academy each
year
This recommendation, however. is
not entirely concurred in by the depart
ment. The wisdom of commissioning
as an officer cadet who has never
demonstrated his adaptablity for his
profession by actual service on board
a man-of-war is questona BILE 1t not
infrequently occurs that cadets who
have stood we'll at the Academy are
cut of place in practical service at sea
Then, too, the position of the commits
stoned officer is very different from that
of the cadet He becomes entitled to
all the benefits which the law throws
around the officers of the navy. He is
given life position, becomes entitled
to retirement. his pay is largely in
creased, and the spur of a desire to
win a commission is withdrawn. Fresh
from college. responsibilities are thrown
upon him as an officer for which he is
not ready. The public interest de-
mands that his worth should be deter
mined by experience in actual service
before he is given a life position
THE department is, however, of
opinion that the test of one =
sea is sufficient. There seems also to
| be no reason why the cadent should
be again examined in the branches in
which he has proved proficient at the
examination at the end of four years
course. 1t is difficult to pursue studies
at sea, and the time of the cadet can
be better occupied with duties Of q
practical nature. The examination,
therefore, at the end of the five years
course should be for the purpose of as
certaining the progress made during the
year at sea in the work of an officer on
board ship.
There seems, however, no reason
why the district represented by the
cadet at the Naval Academy should
not become vacant a the end of the
four years course there, and this would
insure the same increase in the num-
Der of cadets at the Academy as would
be secured were the recommendation
Of the Superintendent of the Academy
adopted
Legislation is therefore asked that
the age of admission to the Naval
Academy shall be bewteen Is and IS
years; that at the end of the four years
course the cadet shall pass his exam
nations as at present, at which time
his place shall become vacant; and
that he then be sent to sea for one year,
returning at the end Of it to the Acad-
emy for final examination in the prac-
tical duties Of his profession