Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-24


Deputy Collector OF the Port Peter
r. Ayars Friday received his COM
mission as a member of the staff OF
Commanded in Chief Clarkson OF the
Grand Army of the Republic, he having
been appointed by Commander Clarkson
to look after tho military education in
the schools in Delaware. The educa
tional staff Is composed Of ons Grand
Army veteran Ia each State in the
Union, and the appointment is con-
sidered great honor. Col. Rosbyshell,
sx-director of the Philadelphia Mint
has been appointed as the Pennsylvania
member of the staff.
Capt. Zalanisly, United States Army,
who was the father of tho movement,
was recently detailed by the War De-
partment as'chief of tine corps to look
after the military education and in
structions in the public educational
institutions of the country. Far some
time tho higher educational institu
tious, colleges aud universities haye
been provided for through the regular
army officers, and In order to reach the
public schools in which the boys are
large enough to receive military train
ing, the services of the Grand Army
have been enlisted. A regular bureau
has been established, with Capt.
Zalanisky as the chief.
Col. Ayars' commission authorizes
him to divide up the State as he sees
lit, and to have general supervision
over all the work. He is not restricted
rs to what course he shall pursue, but
can select any men fitted for the work
TO assist him.
10 I.,I
on the colonel in order to ascertain his
plans
II shall go to work as soon as pos
sible," he said, land map out course
of work such as may be deemed most
practicable. AS soon as i have formed
a definite i,lea OF the work / will go
before tho Board of Education and
make full explanation with view to
having a system adopted in the schools
of the city. My idea is to appoint an
assistant for the High School and each
one of the grammar schools. / shall
select persons who are fitted for the
work. | think my assistants will be
mainly Grand Army men. but | may
pick some out of the National Guard.
II is the idea Of tho War Department
TO reach this class of schools through
the Grand Army, and in th ranks many
can be found who are well able to at
tend to the duties of the position.
shall also appoint assistants for
zach one of the schools in the State
where the instruction can be given,
and it will not be very long before an
efficient corps will be established in all
three of the counties. "
Col. Ayars said be thought the boys
in the High School and grammar
schools in the city should be instructed
in military tactics and athletics, anil
he believes that the pupils will at once
eake kindly to ths innovation. He will
hiso recommend that the girls in those
grades be put through regular exercises
Ipf the same character. He is firm
Believer, as are also may others, ia the
beneficial results of military training,
both from standpoint OF health and
pf usefulness of the young men to their
country in case their services should
be required at any time.
Some States have laws which make
it incumbent on principals of schools
Ibf the higher grades to have military
hactics taught in their schouls, and in
Those States good results have been
reached. There ia no such law in Della
ware, but the colonel is hopeful that
the school board in this city and
schools commissioners throughout ths
State will readily agree with the pro.
positions he intends TO make.
1t is his desire to have the in
struetions commence in the city
schools very soon, and with that end
in view he will bend his efforts until
the desired result has been accom-
plished.
The colonel, who has au excellent war
record, is thoroughly acquainted with
military ia tics, and as he is a man of
high standing and influence in the
community, his appointment meets
with general favor. A better selection
could not have been made
The officers of the National Guard
are, as far HIS can he ascertained, favor
able to the instruction of mill
tary education into the public
schools, as it will tend to raiss the
standard and increase the efficiency of
the guard itself, and there will be no
difficulty in obtaining assistance from
that source.
No remuneration is attached to any
Of the appointments, but that feature
will rather add 20 than detract from
the efficiency of the work.