The National tribune., 1895-09-26

equipped, nine white and two colored COM
panies formed into three battalions to whom
arms and equipments were furnished by the
Secretary of War, under the authority OF a
special resolution of instruction. The subject
OF extending the drill to the graded schools was
considered by the trustees and favorable re-
port has been made, which is now under con-
sideraton by the Commissioners for the District
of Columbia. A bill which was prepared by
William J. Coombs. of New York, to extend the
provisions of Section 1925 of the Revised Stat
utes of the United States. which provides for
detail of Army officers rs military instructors
! in colleges and universities, so as to include
! common schools, was introduced in the last ses-
sion of Congress. substitute for this bill, al
| most identical except as to phraseology, was
submitted BY Mr.. Cultivate. Chairman OF the
| Committee on Military Affairs, House of Rep
resentatives, with the favorable report of that
committee, and placed upon the House calen-
| dar. A copy of this bill was introduced in the
Senate by Gen. Hawley, but was not acted upon
at time of adjournment. The crowded condi-
| ton of the House calendar prevented this bill
| from being taken up by unanimous consent,
and it did not pass.
In Delaware. Comrade Peter B. Ayres reports
| the Board of Education of Wilmington almost
unanimously in favor of the matter. 1t was
opposed, however, by the Quakers, and the
matter was delayed so that nothing was done
| during the Spring. There now four com
panies o: the Boys Brigade in Wilmington.
| The matter is generally popular.
In Maryland, Comrade George K. Graham
! reports that the matter has been brought be-
| fore the official bodies in Baltimore, the City
Council, and School Board, and is now in IA
vorable position for consideration next year.
In Kentucky, Comrade J. T. Russell reports
| that some of tho teachers are in favor of having
| the pupils drilled while others are not. No
| official action has been taken.
In Tennessee. Comrade William j. Smith,
the Department Commander, reports that he
has talked the matter up in the Legislature and
through the State and has distributed the
pamphlets sent him. He is not sanguine Of
success.
In Virginia Comrade John w. Stebbns re-
ports that the lateness of his appointment
has prevented his accomplishing much: that
the matter is favored by the Governor, but the
financial question makes it extremely difficult
for the State to do much.
In North Carolina Comrade w. II. Deaver
reports that the Legislature of North Carolina
at its session of 1885, made an entire change in
the school admin istration; that he antici patcs
that probably there will be no difficulty in
introducing the instruction in the white
schools, yet there may be if it is adopted in the
! colored schools at the same time, as the white
and colored schools are under tine same general
rules An attempt TO discriminate between
them will create an additional jealousy to that
which now exists.
In Florida, Comrade s. Herbert Lancey re-
ports that he attended the Teachers Conven-
ton in January, 1895, and secured report
| from the committee of resolution in favor OF
military instruction in the schools. This was
voted down, however as the President of the
Convention and State Department of 1nstruc-
tion opposed TO it. The State Department
Encampment passed resolutions in favor of the
| plan. and the Posts are doing all they can to
promote il. He finds the Confederate veterans
strongly opposed to the pan but proposes 10
keep up the agitation as to secure as much
general support as possible.
In Louisiana Comrade E. Longpro reports
| that he has received favorable answers from
| the circulars which he sent out; that little. if
anything, has been done in the white public
schools; that the teachers of the colored public
schools are xious to instruct their scholars in
military drill but there is considerable opposi-
| ton to il.