Greene County herald., 1906-02-16
MERIWETHER
Is PARDONED
CLEMENCY rs EXTENDED THE
MIDSHIPMAN.
CLASS OF 1906 GRADUATED
The Usually Brilliant Function Was
Rather Solemn on Account Of the
Recent Unpleasant Events.

Washington. Midshipman Minor
Meriwether, Jr., Of Louisiana, a MEM
Der Of the third class convicted and
sentenced to dismissal for hazing, has
been pardoned by the president.
The career of the class of 1906 at
the naval academy was brought to
its close officially in the magnificent
new armory. when Secretary of the
Navy Charles B. Bonapart, delivered
to 101 members Of the class their COW
eted diplomas in the presence Of fully
1000 persons. In the large crowd
were the families and friends Of the
graduates from all over the country,
and while not marked with the joy
BUSINESS Of similar occasions In the
past, the scene was an impressive and
beautiful one.
The speech of the secretary did not
refer in any way to the present con-
ditions at the academy, which, how
ever, have materially effected the ira
ditional festivity of the occasion and
cast a damper over the whole week s
ceremonies. His address was short
and Immediately followed the prayer
by Chaplain H. H. Clark, U. S. N.
At the conclusion of his remarks
the secretary received the diploma of
Midshipman Allen Chanley from
Lieutenant Commander Magruder
who drew it from the pile Of sheep
skins on the table In front OF him.
The other "star" members who head
ed the class then received theirs in the
order In which they stood in the final
examination. The diplomas Of the
other graduates were then drawn at
random and as each youth stepped
forward and received his reward and
a handclasp from the secretary Of
the navy there was round of ap-
plause.
The handsome sword given each
year by the class Of 1876 to the mid
shipmen holding the best record IN the
department of practical and theoret-
ical ordnance and gunnery was pre-
sented to the man who earned it.
This year year he was Midshipman
w. "a. Glassford of Seattle, Wash,
and he received the prize from the
hand Of the secretary.
Almost Immediately Midshipman
Arthur w. Frank, cadet commanders
of the brigade called for three cheers
for "those about to leave u.s." and
he-yaHtAsss- have zI0rs years at
the institution before them gave the
cheers with will. This was replied
to by the graduates, who gave three
cheers for those we leave behind us
Commander 7. C. Dewey of the de-
partment Of ordnance and gunnery,
who commanded the brigade, then
called for three cheers for the secre-
tary of the navy.
The official party then left the ar
mory and went at once to the home
of superintendent Sands, where a
luncheon was served. Secretary Bo-
naparte returned to Baltimore in the
afternoon. After the graduation ex-
ercises the ancient custom of throw
ing the first class out of quarters
was enacted and all of the men who
for the past year have been the Off
GERS of the brigade were good natured-
ly tossed out of Brancroft hall. After
that the class favorites were given
yells and ridden about the yards on
the shoulders of thir comrades.
The dance closed the exercises and
the graduates left for their respective
homes to which they have been as
signed on waiting orders.
Congressional Investigation.
Washington. Representative Vree-
land Of New York of the sub commit
tee named by the house committee on
naval affairs to investigate hazing at
the naval academy and a subeommit-
te have left Washington for Annap-
polls. Some of the members of the
subcommittee favor looking over the
institution and making the first part
of the inquiry at Annapolis, with a
view to concluding the taking of tes-
timony in Washington.