The Washington herald., 1909-06-02

President Taft and Secretary Of the
Navy Meyer. both OF whom were married
quite young. hurled d bomb into the ranks
Of over I 900 and more midshipmen OF the
American navy yesterday by declaring
that heneeforth not one Of them shall be
allowed to marry.
This does not mean that any man who
Is nos nlidshipman shall never marry.
but that hereafter no prospective admiral
Of the navy may marry. OF that no one
shall be permitted 70 marry until he shall
have received his commission as an Of
seer
The first commission issued is that Of
ensign.
Up 10 The present time, by regulations
Of the Naval Academy, midshipmen al the
Academy have not been allowed 10 marry,
and midshipmen. after leaving the Acad-
emy and taking their two-year course
al sea. were not permitted 10 marry ex-
cept by permission Of the Secretary OF
he Navy
The Secretary is the Official guardian
Il al midshipmen during their six years
course. from their entrance TO the Acad-
amy 10 the close Of their two years az
lea. when they are commissioned ensigns.
Form OF New order.
The new order takes the form OF al
amendment 20 the Naval Regulations, as
,olIows:
'Midshipmen are prohibited from mar
.ying until the completion OF the pre-
Scribed six years course
This amendment. which was drawn up
BY Secretary Meyer. was sent 10 the
White House Nay . for the Presidents
approval. with the recommendation that
The change Re autharized as soon 9s prac-
dcable
Il was promptly approved yesterday by
President Taft upon his return from Get
.ysburg.
Tbis amendment becomes effective
June !. so the many hundred Baltimore
snd Washington girls now are in at
tendance upon the commencement excT-
rises q the Naval Academy this week
are hereby warned 20 beware OF the uni
lorm in all its brilliancy Of blue and gold
Ior no one wearing 1t may marry until
Two years after his graduation
II means that the young woman losing
her heart 20 G fourth-class man viii have
% wait I've years. 8Iidshipmen entering
ne new fourth class after the commence
nent cannot marry for six years.
sr--
rage Of three members OF this years
graduating class. however. fnasmuch as
they had obtained the Secretary's per
mission before he decided upon the
amendment
Since the date was set. friends invited
and the prospective brides had made al
preparations. IL was regarded as unius,
20 prevent their marriage.
Every year a number Of midshipmen
obtain permission 10 marry Immediately
upon graduation, OF before the summer
cruise begins. and gOodly percentage
q them marry before their six years is
up
Last year q number Of midshiprner
were married the day following their
graduation. all having permission One
couple. accompanied by some friends
went 10 Baltimore 70 be married. and in
asmuch as there was a later communica-
ton TO the department from a relative 0.
the bride. expressing displeasure ovel
The marriage. The subject received nor,
serious consideration
Secretary Meyer, who recently lookei
the midshipmen over at the Academy
began 20 ponder over the question wher
half dozen OF more midshipmen asket
70 be allowed 10 marry upon their &C
sdemic graduation IN the cases OF al
but three, Il was found that the pros
pective brides did not possess suffcien
means TO guarantee their own support
Must Have Support.
In no case is the Secretary supposed
70 give his consent unless the bride ha.
means for her own support. II q mid
snipman, even after leaving the Academy
meHies without the Official consent. hi
resignation IS Immediately demanded
The present order was based on the cast
Of a midshipnan who recently came u
for. promotion 10 ensign. He was one o.
the three members OF the second section
Of the class Of 1907 who failed to MAKE
his commission He was married short,
after leaving the Academy and it wa.
found that the weight OF domestic dutie.
had caused him 10 neglect his work
which gradually lowered his records. Sec
retary Meyer, after consulting Admira
Pillsbury. Capt. Badger. and other on
GERS. decided that from several importan
points OF view no further marriages o
mi6shipmen would be permitted.
Ali6shipmen are unable TO be with thsi
wives al al. either while al the Acad
emy OF during the Two years al sea. IN,
ersigns are expected 10 spend nearly al
their tine at sea The pay OF an officer
not sufficient tc maintain q wife until h
reaches the grade Of junior lieutenant, OF
In many cases. lieutenant
Considering these points. and the fac
that the navy abroad has grown, It is be
reved that the prevention Of al prospec
i've officers from marrying until they ar
snsigns viii not only prevent the mel
rom being financially pressed, but VII
also prevent scandals.
According 10 regulations. even ensign
are not permitted 10 marry without civ
Ing due notice 70 the Secretary Of tht
Navy, and with the adoption OF the ne7
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