The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-06-06

Special 20 The Washington Herald.
Annapolis. Md. June 5.-The farewell
ball given in the mammoth armory build
ing tonight in honor OF the graduating
class Of the Naval Academy was a fit
ting announcement to the series of exer-
cises and social functions incident to
commencement day which have been in
progress throughout the week
The hosts at the dance were the mid
shipmen Of the class Of 90. To the
strains OF the sweet music discoursed by
the Academy band, several hundred
dancers glided about the spacious floor
Of the armory. Dancing began at 3
o'clock. and continued until midnight
There were twenty-four numbers on the
programme. and after twelve of them
had been danced, delightful repast was
served in the midshipmens mess hall, in
Bancroft Hail.
The interior OF the armOry Is pretty
enough, but the effect was greatly en-
HANGED by varicolored bunting. which
draped the ratings Of the large bal
comics. and was suspended from the huge
steel rafters OF the ceiling.
Class COIors in Evidence.
Here and there could be seen the crests
of the classes Of 'OS and 90. surrounded
by green and white. and green, white, and
yellow. the respective class colors. At
the southeast end of the building was a
large screen. with the inscription. Fare
well to 1905 in electric bulbs.
The guests were received by Mrs Will
lam s. Benson. wife OF the commandant
Of midshipmen, assisted by Midshipman
Roy II. Davis. Of Eugene. Greg, presi-
dent OF the second class.
In the presence of about 1000 persons
comprising gray-haired fathers and moth
ers. brothers and sisters. and other rela-
tives, and in many instances sweethearts
OF the midshlpmen, the 200 midshipmen
OF the senior class were to-day presented
their diplomas, signifying the compile
tlon OF the four years course Of hard
study al the Naval Academy, preparatory
TO launching upon their active careers
as officers Of the United States navy.
The ceremonies were simple but inter-
estlng. Gen. Horace Porter. OF New York
City, president OF the board OF visitors,
delivered the address and handed the
diplomas 10 the graduates.
Largest Glass Graduated.
The ceremonies took place in the arm
ory building shortly after 10 o'clock. The
class was the largest that was ever grad
uated from the institution at one time
since It's establishment, In 1856. It also
marked a return to the usual time Of
graduation, as for several years the
classes have been sent out several months
ahead Of time. because OF the urgent
need OF younger officers 10 man the new
ships under construction. and, again, the
group Of buildings constituting the new
Naval Academy IS now entirely COM
pleted.
Much Of the official side OF the exer-
cises was reduced by the fact that Secre-
tary of the Navy Metcalf. who was ex-
pected TO deliver the address and present
the diplomas to the graduates, In the last
moment. found il impossible 20 come 10
Annapolis Gen Porter, therefore con-
sented 10 act in his stead.
The scene In the armOry was a pretty
one. In the southeast end Of the building
a temporary stand was erected and OF.
this sat the board Of visitors. Supt Bad
ger and other ranking officers Of the sew
eral departments OF instruction. and a few
invited guests. Immediately in front of
the stand. the graduates were seated, and
20 either side Of the stand, hundreds OF
relatives and friends Of the graduates
occupied reserved seats Many others
witnessed the ceremonies from the large
balconies.
Supt. Badger Presides.
The brigade Of midshipmen. attlred in
their full dress uniforms, was drawn up
in the center Of the building. the First
battalion to the left and the Second bat
talon to the right. thus forming an aisle
In the center of the building down which
the board OF visitors and other officials
marched to the official stand AS the Off
cial party entered the building by way
Of the northwest door. the brigade pre-
sented arms. and the Academy band
played q fare. AS soon as the official
party were seated. Rev. Henry II. Clark.
chaplain OF the Academy, offered the
invocation. Supt Badger presided. and
in a brief address he warmly congratu-
lated the graduates and introduced Gen.
Porter who delivered an impromptu but
fitting address.
Gen. Porter began his remarks In a
humorous vein. and referred 10 himself
as the understUdy Of the Secretary OF
the Navy on this occasion. In this con-
nection, he described the apology Of a
theater manager at performance OF
Uncle Toms Cabin" presented a la
France, which he had witnessed in Paris.
who said the bloodhound. which usually
figures in the play had presented a ply
sician's certificate that he was too sick
TO appear at the performance. and IN. lie
Poodle consented to act IN his stead.
Urges Democratic Spirit.
You viii bear away the gift Of a
matchless institution" Gen. Porter said.
"and are about TO enter a noble profess
sion" He said that as the span Of life
at best is always short they should
strive TO add years TO H. by putting more
life into each year. He referred 10 the
typically American and democratic meth
DDS in making appointments to the navy.
and expressed a desire to see all the
young men live up 20 this ideal Of
democracy.
Gen. Porter spoke Of the advantages OF
powerful army and navy. and expressed
disgust at the cry that there Is no need
OF larger navy. because no foreign
power would attempt 20 attack so great
and numerous a people as the Americans.
He referred TO the long voyage Of the
Atlantic fleet to the Pacific station as a
great move, and one that augurs for q
commanding force. Bringing his remarks
down TO more personal nature, Gen.
al
character was only 10 be seen In their
records as commanding officers of the
navy. Never underrate yourself in a
battle" he said, nor overrate yourself
In It's reports" In conclusion. Gen Por-
ter told the graduates That whafever n