New-York tribune., 1903-08-24
Beginning TO Feel the NaUaL
Regime

Annapolis, Nd Aug. % (Speciap-Recently an
order was issued to the corps of midshpmen which
will have d effect their future conduct and
will teach them than ever that they are
under the most stringent military rules and regu-
lations. The superintendent has issued an order
which says, in effect that the present fourth
class has been IN the Academy long enough 10
learn military discipline and become fully acQuainJ-
ed with the ins and outs of the academy, after
August l all demerits given to midshipmen for
violations of rules and neglect of duty will count.
If any mdshpman has more than three hundred
demerits the number allowed to the ''plehe' class
he will be Immediately forced to resign. Up 10
August | the dement's given the members OF
this class only to them what avoid
in the future. but any derelction of duty will
be punished with dement's which Will count the
record.
There are three conduct grades at the academy.
If d midshipman is on the first grade, it means
that in the last month he has not received more
than twenty-five demerits and he is allowed liberty
the limit of the regulations The other two
grades are composed Of midshipmen who have re-
ceived more than twenty-five demerits and they
must remain in the aca denny while those of the
first grade have liberty. Since the new fourth class
has been at the academy there has always been
Santee squad as it is called-that is. rnidshipnaen
who have been sent TO the prison ship Sautee-
sometimes reaching quite number, and sometimes
falling TO only two This punishment and guard
duty with the heavy rifles used by the navy, are
the two things the midshipmen learn TO hate but
they effective in disciplning the 'plebes."
The class is the largest that has ever
been at the academy, 81. and is almost large as
the combined upper classes. They are good rep
resentative body of the American youth from If
teen 10 twenty years old. and they from
every State the Union, and OF all sizes and
all builds from several who are over feet down
to two who only one-half and one-quarter Of
inch over five feet-the lowest height for
candidate to the academy
An amusing incident happened when a number OF
candidates who had recently passed their entrance
examinations, mentally and physically came down
to the academy 10 see some Of their friends who
had already been admitted. examinations for
the academy were held three times this year-in
April, May and in June-when the greater part OF
surprised these little fellows who are both short
OF Weight a1d stature One Of them said to one q
midshipran." Nothing daunt5d the s1na lest pulled
his jackknife which was attached TO his blouse
by a small cord: and IN a high treble said, Yes
ated great deal Of laughter.
d The aFgTT{ Ia 5ss i6shpm55a in the class is Horace
inches. and is now cadet commander Of the 'plebe"
is Closely pressed BY CADET Adj15ant S PT3chaTd @ R
as0 fat S 54 ha iTT[ ST dfet 9qT nd a as are
been picked out midshlpmen who show an especial
their own class. high standard Will probably be
SET Dy me leaders OF the class as number made
nations One candidate was almost perfect in all
one Of the hardest cases this year was that of
JenrIes' OF Iowa, who made about the best marks
mark in two subjects and then was rejected physi-
cay on 3earslghtedness in his left his right
The storekeeper laid in a large supply Of shoes
No. 10, thinking possibly that they might be used
- turned out that three candidates were admitted
10 order, as the department did not keep large
The Naval Hospital has always had some in
mates the pTlncipal cause OF complaint seeming
ulation shoes. which each midshipman is compelled
pitaL - 80 40