The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-23
INUTES. But EVERY
ONE IS A SOLDIER
Most Intricate EvoIutions Without
Command.
ALL MEMBERS DEAF AND DUMB.
New York City Boasts the Strongest
of Ali Military orGaniza-
tions in { he
World.
ALL MEMBERS DEAF AND DUMB.

New York city boasts the stransest OF
an military organizations-a company
which ner,torrls the most difficult evolu-
lions without a word OF command from q
superior officer, whose members never
turn their heads or seem TO hear the COM
y3!imeuts Of fair onloolers a company
whose discipline is so perfect that never
a single word of compliant is heard
Tins ideal company, exempt from all
the faults which harass the soul OF COM
snanding officers. could not very well be
otherwise for every member is deaf and
dumb and intcrdicted by nature from
waxing garrulous, no matter how great
The provocation or incentive.
1t is a strange sight to see the cadets
drilling on the beautiful campus of the
New York Institution for the Deaf and
Dumb. Not a sound Breaks the profound
stiffness: there are no shouts of COM
onapd buele calls or drum beats, yet the
stalwart battalion goes through all ats
unanoeuvreS with the regularity and pre-
cision of a crack regiment OF National
Guardsmen. Every member seems proud
of his part IN the drill, eacf bearing IS
truly martial. chests out, heels together
and every pair OF eyes flfeted on tAe
military instructor
At the word of command the rifles are
shoul6ered the line steps brisllly forward,
the march continues TO the limit OF the
campus, where the corps marks time,
changes front and swings on IN an oo-
Higue direction, Inauches and counter
marches. fixes bayonets, halts and fronts
again i'll the direction OF the drll master.
SPLENDID DISCIPLINE.
Such splendid discipline and fauitless
drilling would attract attention in d
company OF men endowed with all their
faculties. but when it is considered that
every member of this corps Is without
speech and hearing the performance be-
comes little short of remarkable
The orders are given in q sign manual.
invented by Enocl Henry Currier, NJ A,
pricipal OF the institute, and who flrst es-
tablished the system of military training.
IN recent interview, explaining how the
system came 10 be installed, its uses ana
The rsults achieved Mr.. Currier, said:
Iii is not our intention TO make SOL
diers OF the boys. That is a matter Of
but secondary Importance We do not
even teach them craftsmanship. The
military drill was introduced because OF
its gymnastic value. and in order 10 in
culcate into the boys the lesson of dis
cipline. When I first came TO the inSti-
tute the Boys all had narrow chests and
broad backs, 4 natural result of retarded
lung development, due to lack OF vocal
exercise
1T was the tailor who measured the
boys for their uniforms who first called
this fact 10 my attentiou and on investi-
cation found his statements to be so
etirely true that ] Immediately began
casting around for a remedy.
THE RBMEDY-THE DRILL.
II bethousht myself of the drill. and it
seemed 10 une peculiarly suited to the
purpose. A short time after its installa-
ton ] began to notice the marked i'm
proyement in the condition Of the boys;
the exer:ion of shouldering arms. going
through this hayonet exercise and the
breathing of the fresh air, proved Just
what was required to build out their