Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-11-03
ONE CENT.
ADMIRAL NGHAIR'S
REPORT ON THE NAVAL
ACADEMY.
The Total Number of Cadets
Now Under Instruction at
The institution Is 200.

The annual report of Admiral McNair,
superintendent of the Naval Academy.
submitted 10 the Secretary of the Navy
and published as a part of Admiral Crown
inshield $ report. shows there are now 70
officers'of all grades and corps serving
at the school. and that the total number
of cadets under instruction is 400.
He states that on January 2Sth last.
upon the completion of the semi-annual
examinations, the first class, line and
engineer divisions. fifty three in number,
completed the course and were detached
preparatory to two years service at sea.
There were iweniy-four designations in
eident to these examinations. The libra
ry on June goth contained 3S,524 vol
umes. OF these o74 volumes have been
added during the year, "a volumes OF
which were donated. The total circula-
tion during the year was S,764 volumes,
OF which the cadets drew o74 volumes.
The medical records of the academy
indicate most satisfactory health condi-
ton during the year. There has been
immunity from contagious diseases in the
cadet body, except for an outbreak of
epidemic catarrh during the winter. At
tention is called to the fact that defective
vision is frequent source of complaint
and loss OF time from stady among the
cadets. There were at the close OF the
academic year 81 cadets wearing glasses
tor study, ETC., out OF total OF 7o7. This
| is not to be charged altogether to sever
ity OF service required of the eyes by the
prescribed course of study, nor to defec-
tive illumination where artificial light is
| used.
1t is in great measure due TO errors Of
retraction existing prior to original entry
and accentuated by the necessities OF stu
dent life. The remedy for this state of
things Is In part improvement in the illu-
minant used. II is gas at present, and
1t is desirable that electricity be substitu-
ted. In large part, however. the remedy
lies in raising the standard for vision Of
| candidates and adherence to this stand
ard in every case OF admission.
The condition OF the buildings has been
considerably improved during the year,
and general overhauling OF all build
ings that are not to be demolished to
| make room for new construction is now
in progress. The condition OF all per-
manent buildings is good, with the ex-
ception OF those built in 1850, used as
army hospital buildings from 1861 20
1906, now occupied by the heads OF de-
partments, or as flats. Those are old
and in need OF extensive overhauling and
rebuilding in part.
The buildings known as Upper Quart
ers, used by the greatest number of ca
diets, has been condemned by survey as
not being entirely safe. The tower has
been removed, and the building is being
generally overhauled to make il as safe
and comfortable as possible for the ca
diets next pear. The four new double
| dwellings authorized by the appropria-
ton bill for the fiscal year 1899 have
been completed and accepted by the
Government.
The extensions to the fire and flushing
| system authorized by the same act are
now under construction and will be fin
ished at an early date. The estimates
submitted tor the pay of civilian instruc-
tors, clerks and others amounted to Ss7,-
| 65o; for the pay OF watchmen. mechanics
and others, $4,000, and for special
course of study, $1,000.
For the improvement of buildings and
grounds and the carrying on OF the plan
! to rehabilirate the academy Admiral Nc
Nair submits estimates aggrega,ing about
| s., ,ooo,o 900.