The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-05
lAT MILITARY SCHOOLS
Recommended by the Board Of Visi-
tors to the West Point
Academy.
j. Such Institutions Would be Great
/ Blooms to the Working
Glasses.
The Cadet Battalions in England-Physi.
cal Advantages Thus Acquired En-
durinG-Recruits.

THE Cadet Battalions in England-Physi-
cal Advantages Thus Acquired En-
durinG-Recruits.
Among the new measures proposed BY the
board of visitors to the military academy
at West Point is one having for its object
the formation of military academies in
each of the states, says the New York
Times. The scheme contemplates, when
snch schools are provided, that the gradu-
ating classes shall go each year to an acade-
nv for higher examination and a superior
military education. The claim OF the adj
vocates of this plan is that with such insti-
buttons throughout the land the graduates
of West Point will far excel a similar class
of students at, either of the two great
English academies, Woolwich and Sand
hurst, or any other similar schools on the
continent.
The subject of military training for all
Of the boys in tho country has lately been
broaohed, with the view of providing a
suitable and healty means of recreation for
the boys of the laboring classes in particu
lar after their days work is over. It is
claimed that in every one of our large
towns the manufactures, shops and Offices
turn out into the streets thousands of
young fellows, full of life, spirit and energy,
capable of being most usefully employed if
rightly directed, and equally liable to be
misdirected into channels of vice and
crime. In Portland, Me-, for several years
Of the poorer class which has been great
success. The boys not only drill remark
ably well for youngsters of their age, some
Of them being only little larger than the
rifles placed in their hands, but they learn
self-respect, subordination,. punctuality.
which are SO essential to success in life. A
term of such drill, short though it may be
in some cases, can hardly fail to have a
beneficial effect on their future life and
conduct. Instead Of finding their only
amusements in the unquestionably danger
soon seem to feel that they have an object
in life apart from the mere drudgery of
In England Major Fordyce has been in
strumental in raising what he terms cadet
battaliOns, which are not composed of the
means, but the members are all from the
working class, and are personally inspected
and approved before enrolment. When
fbese bows first came together little seemed
to be thought by the individuals of their
personal appearance, but gradually it be
appear at drills without clean collar and
necktie. This is of course a small thing,
but it gives evidence of desire for desire
for personal cleanliness and self-respect,
aroused by the smartness inseparable
from the conduct of well-disciplined
battalion.
In addition to the drill hall there can be
a reading room, where games can be played
or books read. Gymnastic appliances.
shooting galleries, signal flags, and other
similar practical things could also be fur
nished at a reasonable cost. Instruction
tation of the apparently drowned, and other
such subjects incidental to well-conducted
corps have not only proved interesting to
the novice, but are extremely useful things
to know, whether the future career be that
of soldier, sailor or civilian. In England
it has frequently been remarked that thous;
ands of young men prefer cricket, foot ball
and other field sports to volunteering. Ma.
ior Fordyce seems to be of the opinion that
this is because such early facilities are
offered for the practice OF these games that
by the time the boys are old enough to join
sports has been SO confirmed that volun-
teering is put to one side. The extension
Of the cadet battalion system, it is thought,
will be likely to remove the lack of patriot
ism to great extent, and while not caus-
ing the young men to neglect their games,
will place volunteering more upon equal
terms at the start.
II Young men thoroughly learn their drill
when between fourteen and eighteen years
Of age, they are never likely to forget its
lessons, and the physical advantages of
such exercise to growing youth are too OBJ
vious to need remarking upon. The Aus
TRAN governments have recognized the vast
<,f kra ,1r0 ho of
countries for the future defense of the COL
onies in that portion of the globe, and
have done all in their power to foster the
scheme.
Should private enterprise succeed in an
ticipatinR governmental action and start
the matter of organizing battalions for the
youth of this country, the government
idea and lend arms. equipments ETC., if
not financial aid, to the undertaking. Az
Capt. Charles King of our army has pointed
out, the subjects of uniforms and officers.
which are generally the most prominent
features in the minds of youthful soldiers.
should be the last to be thought of. By the
time the setting-up drills and other prelim-
inary exercises are we'll advanced a simnle
uniform could be considered, and after
merit had proved who were best qualified
for ofRcers'they could be appointed. Be
cause man or a boy learns his drill it does
not necessarily follow that he must love
war and fighting. Training boys to the use
Of arms and discipline will not brutalize
their natures, but it will give them yalua.
BILE training in obedience and manliness
that could not SO readily be obtained by
any other means.
Just at present both our army and navy
ne meeting with more or less difficulty in
obtaining a desirable class of men who will
remain in the service after their first enlist
ment has expired. The naval apprentice
system, excellent in many ways, does not,
however, succeed in keeping up even the
limited number of enlisted men allowed by
law, and when the attempt is made to get
Americans to enlist after they have at
tanned the age of twenty-one they are not
to be had for love or money, to the extent
at least that the pay table goes at present.
Should the proposed plan of drilling be car
ried out, there would be class of recruits
who would not desert, as young man who
has served four years in a cadet battalion
knows something about a soldiers life. and
if his mind be made up to adopt it pro
fessionally it is probably because he has be
come imbued with a military spirit which
will last him for many years.
From this same class the navy will also b.
supplied, as the mastless battle ship require
that the majority of her crew shall have in
struction in other things than Yards an,
sails. The great quality of unquestionin
H.