Stanley Matthews

“ It is certain that the act divides all who, at the date when it took effect, were known as 'Cadet Engineers,' into two classes, graduates and not graduates. Prior to that date a cadet engineer might be pursuing the four-years course of study at the academy, or the two additional years of service on board a naval steamer, or, having successfully passed both periods, might be waiting promotion to the grade of assistant engineer. ”

“ But this was to be accomplished consistently with the declaration of the act 'that no officer now in the service shall be reduced in rank or deprived of his commission by reason of any provision of this act reducing the number of officers in the several staff corps.' And to this end the whole scheme of reform embodied in the legislation was made prospective. ”

“ Such a provision did exist in reference to the appointment of graduates of the Military Academy as second lieutenants of the army, and the discharge of supernumeraries after July 1, 1882, by virtue of section 3 of the act making appropriations for the support of the Military Academy, approved June 11, 1878, (Supp. Rev. St. 346,) but no such legislation in regard to cadet midshipmen is to be found in force at the date of the act of August 5, 1882. ”