The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-02-07
TO TRAIN OUR YOUTH.
Military instruction in the
Public Schools.
GENERAL INTEREST AROUSED.
Colonel A. D. Cutler in Charge Of the
Work Here.
THE MOVEMENT FAIRLY UNDER WAY.
Tho School Board Will Be Asked to Take
Action at Once - COOmb'S
Bill in Congress.

The movement recently inaugurated in
the East to provide for military instruction
in the public schools throughout the United
States has reached San Francisco and in q
short time steps will be taken in this city
and State to interest the Boards of Educa
ton in the matter.
Colonel Alfred D. Cutler of George n
Thomas Post No. has been appointed
special aid to Ccmmander-in-C Chief Thomas
G. Lawler of the Grand Army of the Re-
public to conduct the movement on the
Pacific Slope. Colonel Cutler is well.
known military man, whose selection to
supervise the work in this State is deemed
by Grand Army men to be an enviable
honor.
The movement to introduce military in
struction in the course Of study of the pub
lie schools had its origin about two years
ago. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining
suitable instructors the movement did not
progress favorably, but on December 19
last Hon. William ]. Coombs of Brooklyn
was induced to introduce bill in Congress
which provides that "those schools and
educational Institutes of the several States
which shall adopt a system of military in
struction shall receive the assistance of the
Government in order to secure to the
United States such knowledge of mill
tary affairs among the youth of the coun-
try as will make them efficient as volun-
teers if called upon for the national de-
fense"
The bill authorizes the Secretary of War
to issue at his discretion ordnance and
stores belonging to the Government re-
quired for military instruction in the pub
lie schools, and to detail for such instruc-
ton officers of the army stationed in towns
of over 500 inhabitants. Such instruction
in all cases shall be free of charge.
The passage of the bill by the present
Congress being assured, COMMANDMENTS
Chief Lawler has already appointed aids
in various parts of the country to in
augurate the work. Colonel Cutler was
one of the appointees and, when his COM
mission arrives, which will be in a few
days, he will actively enter upon the dis
charge of his duties.
1.-THE main purpose of this great move
ment," said Colonel Cutter to CALL rep
resentative yesterday, sis to introduce
military instruction in all the schools of
the country. 1t is intended by this instruc-
ton to inculcate spirit of patriotism in
the minds of our growing boys and to
create in their hearts reverence for the flag,
for the preservation of which their fore
fathers bled and died.
L OtllCNC Will al 4NCiSOu IL MILES
that ito instill patriotism in the minds of
the youth will render the Government per-
manent and happy The man who honors
his country's flag is necessarily a good
citizen. 1t is therefore important, in order
to perpetuate the great institutions of our
country and to render the hearts of our
citizens loyal, that some military training
should be given to our young boys"
Colonel Cutler has not yet clearly out
lined the course he will pursue in pushing
the work on the Pacific Coast. He will in
a few days confer with the Board of Edu-
cation and seek to have the course of study
in. the schools altered, SO that thirty
minutes each day will be devoted to in
structing the pupils in military tactics,
patriotism, etc. The Grand Army posts
have already been notified of Colonel Cut
ler's appointment and the request made
that each post detail instructors to act
when the necessary authority to do so is
granted by the School Directors. The
work having been established here it will
be vigorously prosecuted in other cities on
the coast by Grand Army men.