The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-31
MILITARY DRILL IN SCHOOLS.
A Hearing by Committee on Education
This Afternoon.

This Afternoon.
At 3 80 p. m. today the committee ON edu-
cation. TO whom was referred the subject OF
military drill in the High School. gave pub
lie bearing In tho Municipal Court, ana chief
among the remonstrants is Francis Gallagher,
who submitted protest. in part. as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen OF the Com
mittee-The friends Of peace and arbitration,
and opposed TO military drill, especially In
our schools ano colleges, object to the grant
ing OF the request OF our school committed.
that public money he Appropriated Tor the
esta ablishment and maintenance OF military
drill in our High School. Those i represent
desire wholesome and bealthiul, physical
development Of the scholars. but cannot
recommend military drills proper and
necessary for its accomplishments. such Is
also the opinion OF some Of the most promi-
mont educators and experts in physical cui-
ture. including DIR. ID. A. Sargent, director
of the Homenway gymnasium. Harvard Uni
yerrity. whom quote:
"The community at large have long enter
tanned the idea that there was something
about military drill that made young men
erect. or. as some OF the school committee
have been pleased to term II. giving them
graceful and manly bearing.
''I dislike to take from the drill cne OF the
strongest attributes that has commended IL
TO parents and teachers. but unless have
been misled in my observations, there IL
nothing in the drill itself that tends 10 make
one erect and graceful.
"Ihere is another method. commonly
soldiers may easily acquire n fall chest.
square shoulders, and strong back. The
results may not be as enduring. but they help
out on parade day, and undou otedlv con.
tribute something 10 the manly hearing that
is often spoken Of. The moral Is: do not
waste your admiration over the military
figure until You soc il with its coat on.
"In reference to the Rrncefulness that Is
thought 10 characterize the movements OF
young cadets, i can only say that IL IL not the
outcome OF drilling and marching. The SOL
dfar Ia mad IN
platoons and angular movements. curves
and embellishments are not encouraged in
speech or aclion. II you would account s or lor
must visit West Point in summer. and see
them from one TO three hours a day in charge
OF the dancing master.
possible of military drill as a physical exer-
else, lea TO conclude that its con-
strained POSITIONS and closely localized move
ments DO not afford the essential requisites
for developing the muscles, and thereby I'M
proving the respiration and circulation, az
we'll as the general health and condition, OF
the system. We mrst further conclude that
in case of any nElformation. local weakness
or constitutional debility. the drill tends. by
Its strain npon the nerves and proionge
tension on the muscles TO increase the defects
rather than TO relieve them.
"Finally. IL the ultimate object Of tho drill
was to prepare young men for the life and
duties Of a soldier. We should be forced to
conclude that the drill itself would still be
defective rs a means of developing the chief
requisites for men in that profession.
s'This defect, We. are pleased to state. Is
recognized by the great military nations OF
Europe, and measures are taken 10 give all
the recruits FROM three TO IL months gym
nastic training to develop them rs men, be-
fore they are. expected TO conform TO the re-
Quirements of the soldier"
The military drilling Of boys and young
men in schools and churches Is fraught with
the gravest dangers. Botn schoolhouse aud
church nre thereby perverted from their high
purposes and the pupils are diverted from
the intellectual, moral and religious infiu-
ences that school and church profess 20 teach.
patriotism that Is dependent upon the drill
ing OF boys as soldiers is not worthy the
name OF patriotism; and a church Sunday
drill OF boys to FIJI the school l. unworthy the
name of Christian Sunday school.
The School Directors Association OF Chester
County, Pa, has passed the following resolu-
tions:
'sResolved. That while this association
heartily approves the inculcation. OF patriot
ism In our public schools, IL observes with
regret and apprehension the growth OF the
spirit of militarism in our midst, as seen in
the. recent attempts TO Introduce military
believe such training to be highly detrimental
10 the youth OF the land as tending to encour-
are a love of war and bloodshed, rather than
the preservation of peace. well as to be
undemocratic and un-Amerscan in principal
and dangerous TO the stability OF Republican
Institutions"
tary TOYS, practice war-like games, do
anything that makes them familiar with
taking life as pastime. They should be
early taught the divine law rs 10 the sacred
ness of human life and also the golden rule.
Show them that true heroism consists In saw
ing life and property, and in self'denying
lahors for the good Of mankind.
Patriotic men cannot be produced where
patriotic women do not exist in the home.
Women can do more than any other in teach
ing tile future citizens 20 insist upon arbitra-
tiOn, rather than upon warfare for the settle
ment Of all national and international diff
culties.
Mr. Thomas W. Bickpal, member OF the
school committee of the Second Ward, opposed
the movement for military drill. He said
that it could be considered In only ono of two
aspects, either that of professional drill for
the soldier. with which our public schools
should have nothing TO do. or that of its edu
cational advantages. OF this latter view. he
gent OF the Harvard gymnasium. as tn the
physical disadvantages OF such drill and the
movement 20 abolish military drill In Boston
a along the line OF scientific progress.
The practical objections TO the introduction
Of military drill from an educational stand
point are many. Among these are:
First - Our courses of study are over
crowded. and both teachers and pupils are
overworked. A decrease OF work rather than
an increase is demanded.
SecoDd-A large amount OF time IL reQnired
10 secure any valuable results, and the pupils
OF our High Schools have no time TO give to
additional courses. Proficiency can be oh
tanned only NV a daily drill, and II an interest
Is awakened In the drill. 10 can but withdraw
time and strength from study.
Tbird-Tbe excellent physical training now
In operation in the city schools accomplishes
all that Is desired or needed for exercise and
culture.