Abbeville progress., 1913-03-29


'orces ahoat. to the tall but sad faced
youngster who for 13 blessed Saturday
AFTERNOONS paraded the academy
grounds carrying the black flag. back
IN 49, but the fact that they are one
ana the same only goes to prove that
'here Is a generous amount of human
nature IN the man who now presides
over the destinies of the 75O-odd EN-.
Oryo admirals. Furthermore. it con-
stltutes strong contributiye evidence
that human nature. and especially boy
nature has not changed much from
1910 10 1912. But the melancholy tale
OF the death of liberty" and the black
nag which marked it must give place
10 more serious matters for the pres
ent
II was in May, 1911, that Secretary
Meyer detailed Capt John II Gibbons
as superintendent of the naval acade-
my Captain Gibbons had recently
completed tour OF duty on the ASH
atlc 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
tam Gibbons was chosen to succeed
him.
Fully half of the new superintend-
ents service had been spent at sea-.
and twice be had circumnavigated the
globe. He had seen service on the
little old training ship jamestown.
and rounded the HORN in her back in
81, 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 sobriquet of Marquis de Glib
bons." and. above all, he was imbued
with the spirit of the navy. II is not
surprising that his selection should
have been greeted with expressions of
approval from all who knew him well
Neither is it 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 a nature to commend itself to popu.
lar as well as to professional approval
Ii 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 al
the naval academy must depend the
future efficiency of the fleet, for on
them will fall the responsibility of do.
signing as well 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
QN the facilitation of admission q,
candidates; t2) the simplification q,
the curriculum; (3) the Substitution ~
naval officers for civilian teachers
wherever practicable: ca the absolute
elimination of hazing. and (5) the "d,.
MITIGATION" il the coming of a word he
allowed. of the first class
Sad experience-for every occas,o,
for severe discipline is an occasion =,
sadness 90 Captain Gibbons--b.s !
taught the evils of the training =,
coaching schools for candidates %.
the academy. especially those which
involve absence from home. an ,n
sence free alike from the influences :,
the home and the restraints of militar,
discipline. Boys preparing for thei,
entrance examinations are usuanv
young and impressionable. and too