Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1915-05-18
Unnecessary Temptation.

Again Annapolis rs TO be called
strictly to account for placing unneces-
sary temptation in the way of mid
shipmen at the Naval Academy.
IL il understood, although not Off
cially, that there are three members of
the first class "in durance vile" on
the Reina Mercedes, the prison ship"
at the Naval Academy. charged with
having broken the regulations by hav-
ing INDUCED in alcoholic stimulants.
This may, or may not be the facts in
the'premises, but il is positively known
that these young men of the naval
school are able to obtain and do obtain
liquor out in town. This is a most re-
grettable condition of affairs.
Can it be possible that there are
places in this city that do permit a
condition that is harmful to midship-
men. and that cause the authorities, as
well as the midshipmen,t to deplore the
consequences.
II is a serious matter, and the pro-
prietors of these places. be they con-
ductors Of boarding houses or restau-
rants, shops or private homes, know
well that they are violating the navy
regulations. and that these young men
around whom there is thrown this I'M
necessary temptation will be punish
ed, and punished severely, probably
their entire future career ruined.
You, Mr.. A. or Mrs. B. You who
wiIfully, deliberately and with mall
ice aforethought" do this, would you
like some one to cause your son the
same trouble.
II is horrible thing even FOR n
school boy in our city Grammar or
High School, to grow up and point his
finger at the woman teacher who is
the cause Of his lack of education and
had him dismissed from school for
some trivial offense, and to say eff it
were not for that woman, once my
teacher, would today have an educa-
tion, she ruined my career
II is much more horrible. and GER
tainly greater crime (for it is
crime) forsthese young men with the
goal of their ambition. the end of their
four years hard work, their diploma
within their reach to be compelled to
point their finger at''some man or wo-
man in Annapolis who threw tempta-
tion in their way, and caused their trou-
Bile TO say That person ruined my naval
career. and changed my whole life"
Some one is responsible for giving
drink to these midshipmen. They cam
not buy it openly they must obtain it
surreptitiously, and somebody must aid
and abet them.
That these places where midship-
men can get drinkables in the city do
exist is known to the authorities, and
the matter will be taken up even if it
does interfere with somebody's legiti-
mate business. This thing cannot be
permitted to go on and on.
The present condition of affairs cam
not but be disquieting to the naval
to say the least. 1t is not
pleasing to them TO place restrictions
upon the midshipmen who violate reg
specially the first classmen so
near graduation. What probable &C
ton will be taken in the present case
is not known. 1t is possible to recall |
the grand jury, and present these |
offenders in the city who are respOn-
sible for serving liquor to midshipmen.
a crime punishable with severe PEN
atty.
If the people out in town Withdraw |
this unnecessary temptation from these |
young men in training for the naval |
service, and cooperate with the naval |
authorities in placing necessary re-
strictions around the midshipmen, there |
would be none of this.