The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-09-12
NIDDIES RECEIVE
THEIR DIPLOMAS
Eightv-siX Honor Graduates
Leave Naval Academy
at Annapolis.
SECY. BONAPARTE'S ADDRESS
Some Wholesome Advice to Probable
Future AdmiTals Of Ameri-
can Navy.


ANNAPOLIS. Md. Sept. Eighty
six midshipmen, composing about one
third of the ffrst class, who had quail
fed for graduation IN advance of their
fellows by superior scholastic work. re-
celveG their diplomas from the hands
of Secretary of War Bonaparte this
morning and Immediately received
orders to return to their homes TO
await a cali to active duty. The cere-
monies were very simple and the only
midshipmen present besides the grad
yates were the members a. the new
fourth class.
The exercises were held I'm Memorial
han, a part of Bancroft hail. the main
building of the Academy. In this room,
the remains of John Paul Jones rest
and today was the only time Memorial
hall was used for a public occasion
since those remains were deposited
Notwithstanding the simplicity which
marked the exercises OF today, the grad
IatiOn was unique in character. The
graduates represent the notable one
third OF the class who have qualified
for early graduation by reaching "A GER
tain high average In studies for the
whole course and who have been pre-
pared to enter into more active duty
by the rigid special course in profess
sional branches during the summer. OF
the eighty-siX who received diplomas
today, thirteen graduate with star
rank, having received better than
s. per cent for the whole course. All
made so per cent or more for the spe-
cial course.
Address Of Secretary BOnaparte.
In addressing the class. Secretary
Boaaparte dwelt upon the high char
acter of the profession upon which the
young men had entered.
First" he said, ut is the profession
of a gentleman. To say this IN your
case is not an ebuuition of snobbish-
ness, but the statement of "a matter Of
law. For each one of YOU IL is a legal
duty to behave as a gentleman, and
each one of you may be tried and pun
ished. as for a crime. if he fail in this
duty. Some little time since / had no
difficulty in sustaining the findings OF
an examining board. that an officer who
had not the sentiments, habits, and
manners of a gentleman was prOfes-
sionalIy disqualified for promotion. 1t
is "a part Of your professional duty, a
part of the service due your country al
your hands a part of the solemn and
eternal obligation of your oaJhs, that as
officers you be known for such sim
plicitv and truth. such modest Of de-
neauor. and such purity of life as VIII
earn for YOU the respect of good men,
plicity and truth, such modesty OF de
handed by religion or philosophy; from
you. they are but the tulhilment OF
your promise.
Men who serve their country in arms
work not for their good, but for hers
not that they OF those dear 10 them be
the better for their toll but that she be
safe and peaceful and hOnOred. AouI
profession is "a school, a lifelong school
of self-sacridce and obedience and new
er has the teaching of such a school
piucss and honor than IL is today
The Honor Graduates.
First honors We're taken today by
Gordon J.. Caskey. Of Detroit. Mich.
and second honors by John b Rhodes
of Westminster, Pa.
The other star" graduates were
Philip G. Iauman, Des AIoines, Iowa
Albert O.. Reid, South Hanson, Mass
Arthur ". Frank, Mobile. Ala; GeOrg,
II BOWdcy. Pittsburg. Pa. Felix u
Gross. Brooklyn, n ~ Richard I'M
Fort Dodge, Iowa; Robert A. TheObald
san Francisco, Cal; Ralph T. Hansen
PerrySburg Ohio. Garrett I. Schuyler
New York n. T., Fletcher G. Starr
Sewickley. Pa; William L. Beck, Sc
dalia, Mo.
These were handed their diplomas IT
the order of standing and the other.
were delivered 1ndlscrIminately-