Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1917-05-18
GRADUATING cLqSS m FRONT
OF. BANCROFT t77LL

allowed privileges for work ceases at
o'clock. and for this reason they are
called short days"
The time between drills and supper
belongs then TO the MILDLY" 10 be
spent as taste or pleasure dictates
Athletics play an important part In the
life here for the ambition Of the navy
goat Is TO beat at football the army
mule. while baseball, fencing and bas
ketball are popular sports. Yet these
pleasures of the athlete are not allow
ed 10 interfere with the regular routine
of academy life. where rules are OF
the Modes and Persians type.
"Boning," as the midshipmen term
study, goes ceaseessly ON despite nm
satisfactory results of the recent ex
aminations. and pride as TO what
diplomas signify keeps up a constant
effort TO attain. The merit of stand
ing at final examination ranks thus.
Those making 81 per cent Of the max
imum have ON their diplomas Passed
with distinction" those - per cent
Passed with credit" while those who
fall below this margin are marked sim
ly Passed"
Yet Ii by no means necessarily fol-
lows that the midshlpman who ranks
highest will be the most capable and
brilliant naval officer. Lessons may
have been learned I'm the handling OF
men and Of guns. but besides military
and nautical technicalities the law OF
rroba bilities and opportunities Is ever
uncertain, and naval officers person
atty counts in vital decision on which
the issues OF battles depend.
Medals Are Awarded Yearly.
To encourage midshipmen 10 special
efforts for general excellence In target
practice gold and bronze medals are
yearly awarded. The Sons OF the
American Revolution also present
cup TO the brigade OF the academy
which is most proficient In great gun
practice, and the names OF the great
est experts in the brigade are engrav-
ed on this trophy. The Daughters OF
the American Revolution are also
donors OF cup which Is awarded to
the mldshipmen with the highest
marks In seamanship and international
law
But the prize which ranks highest at
the academy Is the dress sword and
knot awarded the midshpman most
proficient in practical and theoretical
gunnery and ordnance. This prize is
memorial from the class OF 1871.
which emphasizes their love of their
alma mater and loyalty 10 the govern
ment 1t was the first class which
matrieulated and graduated just after
| the close of the civil war. In 1918 the
prize went TO Richard Ramsey Adams.
| But as all work and no play would
make Jack a dun boy the academy
provides amusements in dancing for the
! midshipmen. and these hops are given
| every two weeks, closing at the sensi-
BILE hour of II o'clock.
Gayety Rules June Week.
| June week marks finals AT the Naval
academy. when commencement lures to
Annapolis fathers, mothers, nncles.
cousins and sweethearts OF, the nine
hundred odd midshipmen, but the class
| which would have been graduated this
June was released in April right before
| the president asked congress TO declare
state OF war with Germany. These
visitors are all anxious, If possible. o
get in at Carye hall. since that is
considered the place par excellence TO
| stay Even the most exclusive old resi-
dents of Annapolis at this time throw
open their doors TO paying guests. The
grounds OF the academy are crowded
with promenaders the dainty dresses
Of the girls giving touches Of color to
the sylvan beauties of Lovers lane
The parents of the midshipmen are
| all anxious TO pay their respects to
| Captain Jones, whose remains are sup
posed to have been brought from Paris
to Annapolis and inferred within the
chapel This. by the way, was first
| designed as u mausoleum for General
| Grant, but public opinion or expert
judgment selected another tomb for
| GRAFT and sidetracked this chapel 10
| Annapolis, where its glistening APP
pearance has won for it the title Of
"Weddng Cake"
On Friday night the graduates are
! given their diplomas and goodbys are
| said. for the next day the three other
classes start on their cruise, and the
newly made ensigns 90 home for
MOI tbs holiday before being assigned
to duty as officers OF the lowest grade
In Uncle Sans navy.