Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1912-07-03

come In contact, and L believe we
are, then, as I remarked to one OF
the naval officers this afternoon,
surely living for four years within
the shadows of these colossal build
ings, which seem to be sufficiently
strong and impregnable to DEFY
time itself, should cause the young
men TO form strong, rugged, manly
characters.
The corp consists of about 800
cadets, being divided among the
states according to their representa-
tion in congress. Ali of the boys
are now on summer furloughs ex-
cept the recruits, who are known
here as "plebes." We asked for
several of the South Carolina boys
but the only one in the buildings at
the time was under quarantine be-
cause his roommate has chicken
pox, consequently he could not see
us. There are about 125 in the
faculty. The annual appropriation
for the support of the institution is
about 100000.
During their leisure hours the
boys spend the time playing tennis,
swimming and boating. As brass
buttons and blue uniforms are gen.
orally associated with military sf-
fairs and institut ions, SO many boys
in white sailors garb presented
rather an unusual appearance. Dur
ing part of the time we were on
the premises, the band, which con-
sisted of about 80 pieces, played a
number of beautiful selections out
on the large band stand in front of
the chapel, which by the way is one
of the most artistic structures that
l have ever seen. Uncle Sam"
always builds well.
The grounds, like all of the build
ings, are faultlessly kept and are
ideally situated, sloping gradually
up from the rivers edge. The
walks and promenades are defined
with military precision and exact
ness. Several workmen were busy
cutting back the grass along the
cementcd walks with pocket-knives,
not letting sprig grow out of
line. How we did wish we could
steal several thousand square yards
of the beautiful sward and place it
in our wild and woolly Buncombe
lawn.
The training received at Annapo-
lis not only fits young men for the
navy but it is thorough in all of the
branches of the curriculum. How
ever, practically 100 per cent of
the graduates enter the navy because
of the inducements that are offered.
An Annapolis graduate has the rank
of ensign on battleship, which cor
responds to the End lieutenant in
the infantry. The ensign who con-
Quoted me over the battleship South
Carolina, last years graduate
from Annapolis, gets a salaryof about
$4,000 per annum, and as they are
cruising all the while, spending
practically no time on land, this
amount is net, all living or Incl
cidental expenses being paid by the
government.
With Col. Roosevelt eliminated
and consequently all war clouds
dissipated, naval life, especially to
an Annapolis graduate is particu
larly attractive at this time. The
output Of the factory" does not
supply the navy's need or demand
for technically trained men, yet
there is no other source from which
trained recruits can be drawn. The
deficiency of West Point men is
supplied by commissioning grad
yates from institutions like the
Citadel that do up-to-the-standard
work. This can not be done how
ever in the naval branch of the SER
vice for there is but one Naval
Academy in America.
Well, all-aboard for Baltimore!
My little companion is not quite as
verdant as when she left Edgefeld,
even if she did call the massive
granite colonnades pergolas, | mean
the colonnades connecting the build
ings at the naval academy. She
also got cinder in her eye (so she
said) while on the trolley coming
from Annapolis. I reminded her
that trolley cars down our way did
not burn coal.
l know that it is not altogether
apropos to 60 abruptly from colon
nades to cowpeas, yet when I think
of tho haopt;fu11,r 1-o,+ orobo 10 IL