The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-29
TEACHES RESPECT
FOR AUTHORITY
This Is the Purpose Of the Military Dfi ]
In the Schools.
IT DEVELOPS OBEDIENCE TO LAW
Col. Henry H. Adams, of New York,
Explains the system Practiced in
the Empire State..NOt q Source of
Danger, Lut Of Strength to the
Republic.

In view of the efforts Of Ezra s. Grif-
fin Post to secure the Introduction Of
military tactics into the public schools
OF Scranton. the following statement
by Colonel Henry H. Adams, Of New
York, to the Tribune Of that city, con-
cerning the practical effects of such
instruction will possess timely interest.
II notice." says he. that there IL some
misapprehension In regard to the ap-
plication of the military drill as con-
nected with the public schools. In point
of fact, there Is no military drill in the
public schools. Indeed. l have never
seen any drilling of the school boys In
the school rooms. The system which
obtains in the schools of New York
provides that assembling in the morn
ing the scholars march into the assem-
bly, room. according to the usual Gus
tom Of nearly all public schools, In
columns of twos. filling both sides Of
the auditorium or assembly room, and
at a signal the wings inward face
after which a color-guard with the
United States flag marches down the
center aisle and halts. and at a signal
the whole school comes to a salute Of
the flag, after which the school Is seated
and the colors are placed on the plat
form, when the usual morning exercises
take place.
Ten minutes each day Is usually
given to physical development. after the
'setting-up FORM This method Is re-
garded by medical men of distinction
as the best process of physical devel-
Opment now known outside of the gym
nasium, and Is more effective than the
old calisthenics which have been par
TALLY introduced in some Of the schools
of the country. This and no more IL all
that takes place in the schools connect
ed with what is ordinarily termed as
military drill in the public schools.
I'm connection with this system CIV
les. forms of municipal, state and ma
tional government In all the details con-
| nected there with are thoroughly
taught The scholar Is taught the re-
sponsibility Of citizenship, the neces-
sity of a pure ballot, from which Is
evolved q government Of the people, for
the people, by the people. He is also
taught reverence for the flag. respect
for authority. prompt obedience, and to
do right. because 1t Is right
DOES NOT INTERFERE.
"This system does not In any way In.
terfere with or take the place Of any
school work established under the or
dinary curriculum which has hitherto
been adopted and carried out by the
public school system of the United
States. 1t does not supplant or take
the place Of geography, or any other
study which Is a part Of the establish
ed course of study.
"Outside of the school proper, It is op-
tional with the members of the gradu-
ating grammar grades and the young
men Of the High School to organize
companies, officered by their own mem.
bers. for the purpose Of self-develop-
ment. improved school discipline. self
restraint, self-control. respect for au-
thority. to acquire under skilled train
ing a dignified bearing, an erect figure,
fine carriage. cleanliness and apprecia-
ton Of wise leadeyship, esprit de corps,
etc. These companies drill once per week
entirely outside Of school hours, and
in no way connected with the school
except under the counsel and advice
of the principal, who usually acts as
commandant.
"The non-commissioned and commits
stoned officers of the local National
Guards volunteer to instruct the school
cadets in the manual of arms and COM
pany movements, etc, and the use or
armories is usually accorded to the
cadets for drill purposes all Of which
is in charge of the Nation Guard Of
ficers, which complies with the law.
The companies are equipped with wig
wag' flags, dispatch bags, etc, and
we'll organized system which usually
accompanies the Signal Corps service.
The uniforms cost $3.50, including coat,
trousers and cap. Two Of these uni
forms outwear three of the ordinary
citizens suits, and these uniforms are
furnished by the cadets themselves. UP
to the present time the system does not
involve any expenditure on the part of
the public money.
FURNISHED WITH ARMS.
"The advanced grammar grades and
the High Sshool cadets are the only Or
ganizations that have been furnished
arms. These cadet rifles are now loan
ed by the state to the several Organiza-
tions requiring the same. proper guar
antee being given to the state for safe
keeping. Hundreds Of letters are re-
ceived from the patrons of the New
York schools testifying to the good ef-
feet of the discipline under this system
on the incorrigibles. The testimony Is,
in effect. that the boys are more readily
submissive to home authority, more
considerate of the sisters and the broth
ers i'm the home. and more self-respect
and manliness are developed in the pu-
pil. These communications are mat
ter of record, and on file in general. In
point of scholarship the record of the
New York schools show that the pu-
pills connected with the American
Guard stand higher in scholarship than
those who are not of the organization.
Il have given you in brief the promi-
nent features of the system now in
operation in New York and in other
parts of the country. When we con-
slider that we are cosmopolitan
country, and daily receiving into our
midst a large population made up Of
individuals who are entirely unfamiliar
with our system of government, and
who are unable in their ignorance to
comprehend the principles which un-
derlie a government of the people, for
the people. and by the people-where a
government is evoly ed only from pure
ballot; where the power lies In the
hands of the people-it will at once ap-
pear that it is next to impossible to edu-
cate the adults who are thus focking
to our shores. and that we must of
necessity look to the enlightenment and
development of their children. The
public schools of the United States are
the bulwark of our safety, and through
this channel we must build for the flu
ture. The census of 1890 shows that