The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-10-31
THE is SAFE.
Military Instruction Now Given at Nearly
One Hundred Seats Of Learning.

Military Instruction Now Given at Nearly
One Hundred Seats of Learning.
Especial Correspondence.1
BUFFALO, Oct. 23.-About 10000 young
men at nearly 100 academies, colleges and
universities in "A different states of the
Union are now receiving military instruc-
sion at the hands of officers detailed for
the purpose from the regular army, The
system originated in legislation by congress
in 1869 providing for the apportionment OF
public lands to furnish endowments in each
state for colleges where agriculture should
be made a speciality and military tactics
should be included in the curriculum.
The legislation of 1869 has been amended
from time to time, and the federal aid has
been so far increased until now the weak
est of these institutions have handsome en-
dowments, and the strongest are equipped
for educating large numbers of young men.
The original scheme contemplated the es-
t%ablishment of at least one agricultural
college in each state and the detail of a
military instructor to each when it should
be prepared to educate $50 pupils.
The scheme of military education has
been so widened that even the smallest
states have one institution where military
tactics are taught by an officer Of the regu-
lar army, while the larger states have from
two to half a dozen. New York has nine
such institutions, Ohio and Pennsylvania
have five each, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri
four each, Indiana, Massachusetts,, Yer
mont and Virginia three each. From so to
$50 pupils at each institution are under
military instruction, and all are suitably
armed and uniformed.
Strict military discipline is maintained
SO long as the cadets are under the eye of
the instructor, and the effect of the disci-
pline thus instilled, with it's accompanying
obedience, is felt in all departments of the
institutions. The infantry instruction in
cludes small arm and target drill and prac-
tice and all the movements prescribed by
the drill regulations of the United States
army applicable to a battalion. The in
struction in artillery embraces as far as
practicable such portions Of the United
States drill regulations as pertain to the
formation of detachments, manual of the
piece, mechanical maneuvers, aiming drill,
saber exercise and target practice.
Each institution is upon application and
the filing of an indemnity bond furnished
with these munitions Of war by the United
States government: One or more rifle can
non, with all their appliances; at least $50
Springfield cadet rifles, with appendages;
for each cannon 100 black cartridges, and
for each cadet so rifle ball cartridges. The
equipment of a college numbering 100 Ca
diets would be worth at least 5000, and the
war department must have distributed to
all the schools and colleges giving military
instruction munitions of war to the value
of $500, 900.
Officers thus detailed to this work in the
several colleges usually fulfill a three
years tour of duty. They report annually
to the adjutant general of the, army the
statistics Of their classes, together with the
condition and interest Of the cadets and
the attitude of the college faculties toward
the department of military tactics. The
pupils are usually reported from fair to
good in efficiency and interest, but several
of the faculties are reported as Indifferent
in their attitude toward military science.
The effect of military discipline is seen in
the marked superiority in carriage and
bearing of the cadets over their fellow pu-
pills not taking military instruction. Raw,
uniformed lads are soon shaped into soldier.
ly cadets, with broadened chests, straight
ened shoulders, active bodies and graceful
movements. Even in citizens attire the
cadet is easily detected by the practiced
eye. In many of the colleges the cadet
battalions nave developed a high degree of
military efficiency, and from 900 to 1000
young men are sent out every year into the
body of the people equipped with a highly
valuable knowledge of military tactics,
both theoretical and practical. They nat
urally drift into the militia and take high
place in it's ranks. The graduates of these
colleges form a constantly increasing body
of men who at short notice could be organ
lied into a highly effective army of defense
should any sudden invasion call the coun-
try to arms. E. N. VALLAND!GHAM.