The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-12-07


tary death and burial, leaving to a
modern vessel of a type analogous
| to her own the task of rivaling her
exploits and perpetuating her name.
deem the foregoing explanation prop
er because of the clamor aroused by
| the aforementioned suggestion, a;
clamor which, although unreasonable
and largely fictitious, nevertheless in
| Dictated on the part Of many worthy
people either ignorance Of the facts
or else a complete misunderstanding
of the departments meaning.
The work authorized by the con-
gress 1t it's last session for the
preservation of the old ship is in
progress. Much of the upper wood
work, which proved to be very badly
decayed, has been removed and
suitable supports inserted, so that the
| vessel may be locked without danger
to her integrity. Inasmuch as it has
| siderable sum already appropriated
for her preservation, ! recommend
that she be so far further recon-
| structed as to be made seaworthy.
In my last report l stated that, if SO
rebuilt, "she would be absolutely
modify this opinion. The department
is frequently requested to send ships
of war to take part, and especially
to fire salutes, in patriotic celebra-
! lions at seaport town. If the Constitu-
ton were in condition to be lowed
from port to port, she would be very
serviceable for this purpose, and
would certainly serve much better to
awaken interest in the nav n re-
mind the public of it's honorable ira
ditions than if kept as a mere OBJ
ject of curiosity at a single naval
station.
Tn Naval Academy.
The enactment of the statute au-
thoriZing the secretary of the navy to
dismiss m%idshipmen from the academy
and regulating the punishment n
procedure in cases Of "hazing" has
had a salutary effect. 1t has enabled
the superintendent, with the support
Of the department., to deal nationally
and effectively with "hazing" and
other breaches Of discipline, and it is
believed that the aforementioned
practise is practically if not wholly
extinct, at least for the moment.
Moreover, the action Of the depart
ment in holding out the opportunity
for early graduation as an incentive
to hard study and consequent high
marks in the present graduating class,
seems to have raised h standard OF
scholarship and promoted worthy
and sensible IDEAS among h under
graduates on this subject. To main
tain discipline and inculcate a whole
some military spirit among young
men chosen as the midshipmen are,
and coming as they do from all sec
lions of the country and all classes of
our population, is no trifing task;
and it is a source of qualification to
the department, as well as of credit to
the present superintendent n acad-
emic board, that conditions in the
academy lave improved so notably in
the last twelve months
The Improvement to the buildings
and grounds are approaching COM
pletiOn, and it would seem that no
very large expenditure for new ac-
commodations for residence or study
would be needful there in the imme-
| - c% II &C. 1900
that the congress will authorize the
improvement Of the chapel, so as to
fit it to receive the body of Paul
Jones, and appropriate the necessary
funds for this purpose during the
present session. General Horace POr-
waived any claim, which he might
otherwise have, to reimbursement by
the government for the large expense
amounting to more h a $35,000) in
CURED by him in the discovery and
Identification of the body, it would
indicate all imperfect appreciation of
his services if the wish he has ex-
pressed that this amount be added to
the cost of preparing a BETTING per-
manent resting place for our gerat
sailor should not be gratified.
A desire has been expressed by
some Of those most interested in the
naval academy that a suitable me-
mortal should be erected there tC
commemorate the merits and public
services of Prof. William Chauvenet
whose counsel and assistance was OF
great value in effecting the estab-
lishment and organization of the acad-
envy by Secretary Bancroft in 1915
After due consideration of several
plans suggested to this end, | think g
bronze commemorative tablet would
be most appropriate for such purposes
and l recommend that provision fol
the cost of such a tablet be made ir
the appropriations for the expenses OF
the academy during the next fisca
year
In the report of the personnel board
there will be found a recommendation