Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-11-25

stand In Sucn Importance Wy iSosoA "
there being so few other ways or edu-
eating the people at large in the meth
DDS of defending their country IN the
time of need.
The government fully recognizes that
in possessing so small standing army
it must depend upon other competent
sources for military education, ana II Is
always ready to assist any reputable
military school in one way or announcer
Before the Civil War there were very
few private military schools IN the
country compared to the number that
have been opened since that time. AT
present there are several hundred very
good ones throughout the country that
prepare boys and young men for en-
trance to college, for business and for
the higher walk in life, and that send
their graduates out into the world with
sufficient military knowledge to~be or
service as officers in time of war.
In addition to these schools there are
a great many colleges and universities
where military science is taught to the
students by a regular army officer, de-
tailed by the secretary Of war. The
system has even extended to the public
schools of both city and country. and
in this way thousands of boys are put
through the rudiments of military
drill.
The highest civil and military officials
of the country have expressed opinions
showing the necessities and advantages
of thus educating the school boys to be
soldiers, and the time seems not very
w
have a competent military instructor
on it's staff and will be turning out year
after year men better fitted to up hold
the nations honor. All chartered mill
tary schools and others where there are
over $50 cadets under instruction., can
upon application receive aid from the
national government.
The war department details some
young army officer as military IN
structor at such schools. and also fur
nishes to some of the largest ones arms
and equipments.
These schools are inspected regularly
by some officer of high rank detailed
for that purpose, and he reports to the
department the condition of such
schools each year.
many private military schools through
which the weakness of the regular
army is supplemented tire is not one
private naval academy of any import
ance in the country.
The reason of this fact. doubtless, is
that the cost of fitting up properly
good naval academy would be very
great at the start, by reason of the
large number of equipments necessary.
and men have stood aloof from the
venture. The experiment was tried
about ten years ago at Oxford. Mary
land, but the institution was unfortu-
nate in having fallen into bad manage
ment, and it lasted but a short time.
The navy is the growing fad of the
day and good private naval academy
that would meet all the demands upon
it would pay handsomely.
Thus far the only advantages and
benefits that have been spoken of as
being derived from the private military
schools, are of the nature to fit the
students to be soldiers and to defend
the country's honor on the field of bat
tie.
There are other advantages, and
without doubt more valuable ones than
those already spoken of; and it matters
not whether the military school be
very pretentious one or not, at least
some improvement to the student must
soon be apparent.
The advantages referred to can best
be seen by comparing the education
and training of a boy at the ordinary
military school with that of schools of
similar standing where military drill is
not taught. At the latter, boys start
out on their course directed and as
sisted by their instructors in the solu-
ton of their problems and in the prep
aration of their lessons in the study
room; that far the average instructor
feels that his duty requires him to go.
while at the same time he regards it as
no affair of his to compel or even to ad-
wise the student, indoors or outdoors.
as to his exercise, his bearing, or any
thing that pertains to his physical be-
ing.
In fact the average instructor at such
schools, having been perhaps book
worm himself when at college, and
having frowned down what he chose to
call the fad of athletics" is not COM
petent to advise his students in such
matters.
AS consequence, boys often are per-
mitted to sit all day long at their desks
in bent and unhealthy positions, to re-
cite in a slovenly and careless manner,
either sitting or standing, as they may
wish; and at recreation periods instead
of being compelled to take regular ex-
ercise they often are found either sit
ting around in corner with novel or
watching with envious spirit few of
their comrades, who are permitted to
twist and injure their muscles doing
stunts" on the bars or on the trick
rings in a poorly-fitted gymnasium.
At even the most poorly conducted
military school the cadet learns that
there is such thing as a superior Off
Ger whom he must obey at all times;
that he may not lie in bed one minute
after "reveille;" that he must appear at
breakfast and at all meals with hands,
face and clothes clean; that he must
at all times observe manly bearing
and not SLOUGH anywhere at any time;
and that he must take regular exer-
else and be ready to render prompt
obedience to his instructor at that time