The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-03-06


WASHINGTON, Feb. Ii, 1S90.-The
war department, with a view to pro-
noting the efficiency of military in
struction in the colleges and other
institutions entitled to the detail of
army officers under the acts of con-
gress providing for such detail, recently
convened a board of army officers at
Columbus barracks to consider this
subject. In reviewing the report
and recommendation of this board,
the department has been in consulta-
ton with special committee of col
lege presidents appointed at meet
ing of the American Association of
agricultural colleges and experiment
stations, held in Washington in No
vember, 1889. After a full and free
interchange of views concerning the
matters involved, the department has
prepared and issued an order for the
guidance of the officers detailed under
the acts aforesaid in the discharge OF
their duties at these institutions.
In order that these officers may
more effectively perform their duties,
and in order to secure fuller co-opera-
ton between the war department and
the institutions concerned, the follow
ing suggestions are respectfully sub
mtted
l. The professor Of military science
and tactics should be member of the
faculty Of the institution, with all the
rights, privileges, and authority Of
other heads of departments or pro-
fessors, and should be provided with
quarters ON the same terms as other
professors.
9. All undergraduate students capa
BILE of performing military duty should
be required to attend the prescribed
military exercises. A suitable uni
form should be prescribed by the insti-
buttons, to be worn by the students
when in the discharge of any military
duty.
3. All appointments, promotions
and changes of officers and nOn-com-
missioned officers should be made, as
q rule, upon the recommendation Of
the professor of military science and
tactics.
4. Provision should be made by the
authorities for both theoretical and
practical instruction in military sci
ence and tactics, and not less than
three hours per week should be al
lowed for this instruction, to be ap-
portioned as the professor of military
science and tactics may determine.
Such provision as is possible should be
made for conducting practical mill
tary instruction under cover in in
clement weather The theoretical in
struction should include the drill reg
ulations of the United States army,
the preparations of the usual reports
and returns pertaining to company,
lectures or Rotations on the organi-
cation and administration of the
United States army, and upon the
history and elementary principles
governing the art Of war. Details
Indicating the outlines of systematic
course OF theoretical instruction should
be hereafter issued by the war depart
ment, as "a supplement to these sug-
gestiona, with view OF securing uni
iormity and continuity in the course
of military instruction at the several
institutions concerned.
5. Inspecting officers will, in all
cases, be directed to report to the
head of the institution on arrival, but,
their time being limited, it is desira-
bic that the col eye authorities will. as
far a. possible, expedite their work,
bearing in mind that the officers are
required to perform this duty in con-
nection with other regular military
duties. The department, on the other
hand, will instruct the inspecting Of
fcers to remain at the institution
when possible, long enough to famil-
iarize themselves not only with the
details of the military department, but
also with its general standing in r5la'
ton to the institution as whole.
When these suggestions and recon-
mendations meet the approval OF the
institutions affected by them, a mott
fication to that effect forwarded to the
department will facilitate the estab-
lishment of the desired relations be-
tween the government and the col
leges.
By order of the Secretary of War:
&c. KELToN,
[Oficial: Adjutant General
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
Hon. o. H. Cooper is sending out
blank applications to locate summer
normal schools.
|. Applications for recognition must
he filed at Austin on or before June L.
2. Applications for recognition must
be signed by at least twenty teachers