The course of instruction, which is quite thorough, requires four years, and is largely mathematical and professional.  About one-fourth of those appointed usually fail to pass the preliminary examination, and but little over one-half the remainder are finally graduated.  The discipline is very strict—­even more so than in the army—­and the enforcement of penalties for offences is inflexible rather than severe.  Academic duties begin September 1 and continue until June 1.  Examinations are held in each January and June.

From about the middle of June to the end of August cadets live in camp, engaged only in military duties and receiving practical military instruction.  Cadets are allowed but one leave of absence during the four years’ course, and this is granted at the expiration of the first two years.  The pay of a cadet is five hundred and forty dollars per year.  Upon graduating, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Army.

The Academy was established by act of Congress in 1802.  An annual Board of Visitors is appointed, seven being appointed by the President of the United States, two by the President of the Senate, and three by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  They visit the Academy in June, and are present at the concluding exercises of the graduating class of that year.

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY AT ANNAPOLIS.

There are allowed at the Academy one naval cadet for each Member or Delegate of the United States House of Representatives, one for the District of Columbia, and ten at large.  The appointment of cadets at large and for the District of Columbia is made by the President.  The Secretary of the Navy, as soon after March 5 in each year as possible, must notify in writing each Member and Delegate of the House of Representatives of any vacancy that may exist in his district.  The nomination of a candidate to fill the vacancy is made, on the recommendation of the Member or Delegate, by the Secretary.  Candidates must be actual residents of the districts from which they are nominated.

The course of naval cadets is six years, the last two of which are spent at sea.  Candidates at the time of their examination for admission must be not under fifteen nor over twenty years of age, and physically sound, well formed, and of robust condition.  They enter the Academy immediately after passing the prescribed examinations, and are required to sign articles binding themselves to serve in the United States Navy eight years (including the time of probation at the Naval Academy), unless sooner discharged.  The pay of a naval cadet is five hundred dollars a year, beginning at the date of admission.

At least ten appointments from among the graduates are made each year.  Surplus graduates who do not receive appointments are given a certificate of graduation, an honorable discharge, and one year’s sea pay.