Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1903-08-31
A DISTINGUISHED CLASS.
THE PRESENT FOURTH CLASS At THE
NAVAL ACADEMY.
Standard In Scholarship And In
Physical Prowess High
A Distinguished
Ancestry.

AS every class enters the Naval Acad-
emy il has in its roster a number of mid
shipmen who are notable on account OF
mental attainments. physical prowess OF
distinguished ancestry. This years class
is no exception. as il is almost sure to
take leading rank in all the branches
of the Academy curriculum, due in some
measure to the fact that the class COM
prises half Of the entire Academy.
Every midshipman is supposed to have
the two essential characteristic qualities
of the American naval officer-courage
and courtesy. A midshipman lacking in
these qualities would soon find that the
navy is no place for him, as it is the aim
of the navy to make both gentlemen and
fighters out of the youth who are entrust.
ed to her care for many years. Though
the navy is heart and soul for athletics.
by far the most important branch OF the
navy is the course of study prescribed
for the midshipman. and the finest athlete
will have to pay strict attention to his
studies or he viii fall by the wayside as
quickly as classmate who takes no part
in athletics at the Academy.
A notable example Of this was given
several years ago when the then recently
elected captain of the football team was
forced to resign because he was not up
to the Academy standard in his studies.
From the first day Of the entrance of a
plebe into the Academy his physical
welfare is looked to with the greatest
care, and, in addition to the many drills
both in infantry and seamanship, the
MILDLY must spend certain part of each
evening at the armory or gymnasium,
where he is instructed in physical culture
or given the setting-up drill, which will
take the unmilitary stoops out of his figure
and give him an erect carriage.
Every six months physical examina-
tons are given to all the midshipmen,
and there is the greatest rivalry to take
leading positions in these tests. The
highest mark made recently in these
tests was by Midshipman Ryden, OF the
| first class, who made an extremely high
mark for complete physical development
1t is thought that he will be very closely
for his record by Midshipman Charlie.
+. Chambers. of the present fourth class
who is both giant in build and strength
Some ofthe candidates examined this yea
by the medical board were almost perfec
in physical development. One of thest
is Midshipman Henry LeBourgeois. who
is reputed to have broken the machine
for testing the strength of the back.
Midshipman G.. L. Davis also made
an enviable record in his examination
especially in the lung test. In scholar.
the class gives promise Of large number
as larger percentage passed the stiff
entrance examinations, and some made
exceptionally fine grades. OF these Mid
shipman r. r. King. of Alabama, i
supposed to have made the highest all
round marks in the eleven subjects OF
which the candidates were examined. H,
was nearly matched by Midshipman c
q. Gill, of Kansas; w. X. Manner, o
Tennessee, and c. T. Page, of Maryland
who made about perfect in their mathe
matics, comprising arithmetic, algebr;
and geometry, and fine marks in English