The Ordway new era., 1913-03-28


forces afioat, to the tall but sad faced
youngster who for 13 blessed SATURDAY.
afternoons paraded the academy
grounds. carrying the black flag. bach
IN fs. out the fact that they are one
Ano tne same only goes to prove that
tnere 10 a generous amount of human
mature In the man who now presides
over the destinies of the 750-odd EN-.
oryo admirals. Furthermore, it con-
stitutes strong contributive evidence
mat human nature. and especially boy
nature. has not changed much from
1873 to 1912. But the melancholy tale
OF the death of liberty" and the black
flag which marked it must give place
to more serious matters for the pres
ent.
1t was in May. 1911. that Secretary
Meyer detailed Capt. John H. Gibbons
as superintendent Of the naval acade-
my. Captain Gibbons had recently
completed tour Of duty on the Ash
attic station. where he commanded the
cruiser Charleston, and had been as
signed to the general board when the
late Captain Bowyer's failing health
compelled him to resign the superin-
tendency of the naval academy Cap
tain Gibbons was chosen to succeed
him. sF
Fully half Of the new superintend-
ent's service had been spent at sea,
and twice he had circumnavigated the
globe. He had seen service on the
little old training ship jamestown,
and rounded the Horn in her back in
~, and one of his tours of shore duty
had been as naval attache of the
American embassy to England. Thor
oughness had marked all his work.
His courtliness Of manner had won for
him. almost back Of his .'plebe" days,
the sobrtquet OF Marquis de Glib
bons." and. above all, he was imbued
with the spirit OF the navy. It Il not
surprising that his selection should
have been greeted with expressions Of
approval from all who knew him well.
Neither is 1t surprising that all he
has achieved and sought to achieve as
superintendent of that educational in
stitution, which was awarded the gold
medal at the Paris-exporsition as the
finest governmental educational insti-
tuition in the world. should have been
of nature to commend itself to popu-
lar as well as to professional approval.
1t is not necessary to talk to Cap
tain Gibbons to perceive that he takes
his work seriously. but when one does
talk to him and hears him modestly
discuss his aims and aspirations for
the academy which is SO dear to his
heart one is impressed with the full
measure Of thought and study and.
perhaps, even worry which this quiet.
determined man Is giving to the most
important work in the navy. Poor
ships may be made to give fairly
good account of themselves in the
hands of skilful officers, but the best
ships can accomplish nothing II they
are not well commanded. Moreover.
on the brains and skill and energy
of the young men now being trained at
the naval academy must depend the
future efficiency of the fleet. for on
them will fall the responsibility Of de-
signing as we'll as fighting the navy Of
the future.
Five distinct reforms has Captain
Gibbons set himself to achieve during
his present tour of duty. These are
Ia, the facilitation OF admission OF
candidates: (2) the simplification of
the curriculum; (3) the substitution OF
naval offlcers for civilian teachers
wherever practicable az the absolute
elimination of hazing, and (5) the dig
fnification," If the coming Of a word be
allowed. of the first class.
Sad experience-for every occasion
for severe discipline is an occasion Of
sadness to Captain Gibbons-has
taught the evils Of the training or
coaching schools for candidates for
the academy, especially those which
involve absence from home. an abb
sence free alike from the influences of
the home and the restrains OF military
discipline. Boys preparing for their
entrance examinations are usually
young and impressionable. and too