The evening times., 1899-06-12
VISITORS REPORT ON
THE NAVAL ACADEMY
Numerous Changes Advised
by the Official Board.
A Five-Year Course of Study Rec
Ommendei.
A Return to the Old Title of Mid
shipman Observation-Disclosures
ment of Quarters.

In the annual report of the Eoard CT Vis-
itors to the Annapolis Naval Academy
some important recommendations for the
improvement of the course and the eX-
tension of the system of education ar,
made. The Navy Department Will trans
nit these recommendations to Congress at
its next session. j
So little attention has been pad TO what
previous boards have had to say regarding
changes that should be made In the course
at the Academy that it is not expected the
new suggestions will have any more e feet
than those made previously. unless the
Secretary of the Navy makes some decided
effort to have them considered.
The important features CT this years re-
port include recommendation that the
course be five years at the Academy, after
which graduates shall be commissioned as
ensigns without having to undergo a two
years cruise, as at present. The present
course is four years at Annapolis and two
at sea. The usual recommendation for a
return to the old title of midshipman is
also made. The last Personnel act pro-
out in the House.
1t is also urged that the age OF admis-
sion be from fifteen to eighteen years; that
the Academy be placed on a strictly naval
and military basis as regards its personnel.
and the instructors as far as possible. and
that all employees, except few laborers.
be enlisted IN the navy and regularly uni
formed AS few civilian instructors as
possible shall be employed is another rec
dafi hain ha iaf ~
bers Of the board that naval officers should
be the instructors of naval cadets. as they
are best qualified to instill ideas Of discip-
line and fidelity to duty in the young men.
1t is recommended that the President be
authorized to appoint ten naval cadets at
large every year, which provision, with
the proposed five-year course. will increas,
the number Of cadets and provide for the
increase demanded by the Personnel bill.
This action would result in all vacancies
in the lower grade being filled within a
few years, whereas at the present rate of
annual assignments it is practically i'm
possible to maintain the full number OF
junior officers allowed by law.
The present fashion of saluting the flag
by touching the cap in military manner
is not approved by the board. which
urges that the cap be removed, as civil
ian would his hat.
That quarters should be provided for
the cadets with the greatest possible haste
ls in the opinion of the board, urgently
demanded, and it is reported, further. that
under no circumstances should there be
any inside rooms in the proposed new bar
racks. 1t is suggested that the block be-
tween the new grounds and College Ave
nue. and the two blocks between the mid
die gate and the sea wall, along King
George Street. be purchased as proposed,
without delay. and that the two rema!nin
blocks between the present grounds and
King George Street be ultimately pur-
chased, making the latter street the south
ern boundary of the Academy.
One of the most important recommenda-
tions made in connection with the grounds
is that the present naval cemetery be re-
moved to another point on the Government
farm, leaving the present beautiful site
available for the Academy buildings. To
accomplish this would be expensive and
meet with the disapproval of the families
of those officers buried in the cemetery.
The board during its session is under
stood to have received and considered
communication from the Rev. DR.. Bell.
pastor of the Presbyterian Church of An
napolis, on the subjects of the cadets at
tending service in the chapel instead of be-
ing allowed, without proper authority or
permission, to attend churches in Annapo-
lis. The board decided unanimously that
the regulations of the Naval Academy as
they now stand do not interfere with the
religious liberty of cadets; that they are
wise and necessary; that there was 70
ground whatever for the action of DR.. Bell
and other Annapolis clergymen.
While the board was in session, accord
ing to one of its members. an anonymous
communication was received in which
complaint was made of the bad effects of
waving defects found at the physical ex-
animation of candidates for the Naval
Academy, which has become quite common
of late this action having been taken by
the Navy Department in many cases. The
board does not report on this subject. be-
ing averse to encouraging anonymous let
tore