Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-05-28
Middle. Held Strictly Accountable.

The Good Book tells US that because
we know and do il not. we shall be
beaten with many stripes, but the
heather who know not and do it not
because they know not. shall be beaten
with few stripes.
The same is true Of the midshipmen
who know the rules and regulations
governing the Naval Academy, and be-
cause they do know and offend by vio-
lating them. must be held to strict ac-
countability.
II is one thing to know. and knowing
break rules and defy governmental
power. and another thing not to know
and to fall short in living up to stan
dards.
A high standard i demanded of
everybody within the Naval Academy
walls, and If each and every one does
not attain this high standard they shall
be held to strict accountability, and to
these shall be meted out the full pen
atty.
In another column we publish in this
paper a letter sent out by the Super
intendent to every midshipmen's par
ents tor guardian), letting them know
what is required of their son or ward
AZ this institution. Furthermore, the
contents of this letter has been made
known again and again to every mid
shipman individually and collectively,
and they all know.
OF course boyish pranks are common
among the students of colleges and
universities. and we cannot make
men of boys. Boys will be boys,
and all are human, and come short of
high standards as we'll as of glory, but
boyish pranks in the Naval Academy
are looked upon with disfavor. While
none of us ever reach perfection, we
all are absolutely human, yet when a
high standard is established for U.S.
must endeavor to attain it, especially
when il means our career is at stake.
The high standard at the Naval
Academy must not be ignored, and
when it is not reached by the few for
il is small percentage of the regi-
ment who fail to meet requirements
and who bring disgrace on themselves
and others offenders must be
punished.
The two recent outbreaks at the
Naval Academy are for ofrenses listed
in the letter sent parents intoxi-
cants" and "gouging. and the mid
shipmen must know the consequences,
and certainly all have realization of
the seriousness of the Offense which
the Superintendent letter says cannot
and will not be condoned.
Every privilege possible, has been
given along this high standard, and
there seems to be no excuse for the |
present trouble. Ii is generally under
stood that the Superintendent has not
lessened his high opinion of the first |
class. who have shown splendid spirit
A class.must not be condemned for a |
certain element that is in every class,
if small percentage goes wrong. |
To this class belongs the credit for |
the splendid discipline maintained at
the Army-Esvy game last November,
when not a single infringement of |
the rules marked the occasion, a
thing hitherto unknown in annals of
the Naval Academy.
1t is s'pity when a few bring dis
credit on an institution. When the
standard is very high it makes it far
worse when thing like this is discov-
cred; Iif the standard were low it
wouldn't be the case.
Discipline must be mainland at the
national Naval Academy and every
one must be held to strict accounta-
bility for we want no mollycoddle ma
val officers TO command our battleships.