The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-25

The Proposal - Exts-s rsuHtsry I-struc-
ties 81 Array OMeers 80 Cswuou Schools


wAsHrNoroS. Dec. 2~4.-shortly before the
holiday recess Mr.. Coombs introduced into the
House a bill 70 provide for the detail Of army
and navy officers to assist in the military in
struction Of public schools.
The object Of such instruction IL stated IN the
preamble to he that of securing such = knowl-
edge Of military affairs among the youth of the
country a. will make them eficient as volun-
teers." The bill amends the existing law for the
detail Of officers to colleges by including "the
public schools OF the various cities Of the United
states" among institutions entitled TO its
benefit. The maximum additional number Of
instructors thus 10 be provided lie nifty. and. in
order to meet the objection that they cannot be
spared, IL is provided that, as FAR as practicable,
the details shall be from officers and non.com-
missioned officers Of troops stationed in the
vicinity OF the schools in which instruction is
required. and that the instruction should be so
arranged ms TO require them to devote "only
sach time as is necessary FOR the purpose The
number Of scholars In the town or city to be in
structed must also exceed 500. The Secretary
of Wal may issue arms and ordnance stores for
his purpose. taking q bond for their care and
for their return when required.
The measure as thus drawn IL a moderate
one, and Il removes at the outset some objec-
lions that might be urged against Il. During
the last quarter of the last school year, D5
schools and colleges were under military in
s~truction by officers Of the army, and the num-
Der Of pupils was 1900. In the corresponding
quarter OF the year 1891 the number under in
struction was 1895. so that the growth has
been great within the space of three years.
This is due primarily, of course. to the increase
In the number Of officers detailed, and hence OF
the number of institutions that can be supplied
with. instructors. But inasmuch as many of
the larger institutions had, teachers prior TO
1891. it seems clear that there has also been
"a wholesome growth as Secretary Lamont
putt, 1t, of public interest in military training
ago he recommended that the opportunities for
military instruction by officers In the army row
schools OF large cities and TO normal schools,
and this year he renews this recommendation.
1t seems probable that the carrying out Of the
templatcd in the bill OF Mr., Coombs. The Sec
s ssdtnfyy ape cna eSs sBeGid be a ssE e9w to %SeSS
duty, but he does quote, for the purpose Of con-
""q nd Better ie H. e inp SSin,en CT can 1e be s siRen To ' ths
officers of the regular army, in time Of peace,
than in this wide dissemination Of elementary
noting that the number of officers detailed for
this special duty increases annually, and the
that he does not think that the limit OF prac-
ticable details without injuring the efficiency Of
the army has yet been reached.
Indeed. when It lie reflected how much mill
tary instruction may thus be conveyed, at little
or no cost TO the Government, there would seem
far as practicable. The number OF pupils taught
by regular officers has Just been mentioned: but.
in addition, as Secretary Lamont observes. 1t
IL known that a considerable number Of lads
receive military instruction from militia Off
Gers. There may be still other schools in which
instruction is furnished by ex-officers. Here are
so many centres OF military education for young
men, aud IL Is fair TO suppose that some who be-
come teachers may In their turn inculcate mill
tary drill in their own schools.
The movement in behalf of bringing the pub
lie schools more or less under a system OF mill
tary drill has long been under consideration by
the Grand Army of the Republic. whose MEM
bers. through personal experience, have q keen
order to enable citizen soldiers to take the field
promptly and to be Of immediate use at the call
OF the country.
II is manifest that. with the enormous num-
system OF instructinR them by army officers
would be out of the question. But the provision
that officers may be sent to
such schools opens new possibilities, and II is
clear that for many public schools drill by com
petent sergeants and corporals OF the regular
der to render such occasional and temporary
details from their ommand practicable. IL
is further provided. ne has been seen. that they
shall be made, ~ far rs practicable, from army
occupy only the time necessary for the drills. In
this way the non-Comm!ssioned officers might
the duties required on the DAYS APP
pointed. and return at night to the barracks.
however, IN view OF tne numDer OF schools
II would seem that the main reliance
for any general system of drill should be upon
the officers and officers of
State troops, perhaps under provisions made by
State legislature, or at least OF municipal au- .
sill the permission granted under
would then be discretionary with the War De-