The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-22
THE UNIVERSITY
 OF ALABAMA
ALABAMIANS PATRoNIzE ALA
 BAMA INSTITUTIONS,
The Presidency, the Military sys- tem-views of MT. Moody
 of Tuscaloosa.

The recent troubles at the University called the attention of the whole State to this time-horored institution. The talk and discussion that have grown out of the occasion show the esteem in which the University is held as seat of learning and a means for developing intellectual power. The people desire that the capacity of their highest school shall steadily increase. They wish. too, that the institution may be so man. aged and directed that the knowledge, influence, and power which it generates shall subserve useful and noble ends. We note that alumni and other friends of the University are giving their opin- ions as to what Is needful at the pres ent time. This Is proper. The real friends of a cause or an enterprise are those, who rally around 1t when 1t has met real or apparent misfortune. These various opinions, throwing light on the situation from different points of view, may be of service to the trustees in their effort to reach a correct conclu- sion. Having myself once been a col lege student; having educated one of my sons at the University, having a daughter there at this time. hoping to be able to there educate three other children, and having lived nearly all my life within two miles of the institu- tion, I venture to throw out some re- factions in reference to the matters now under general discussion.
 Some think that the military feature of the University should be removed, and. in harmony with this view. a bill the last Legislature. The General As- sembly refused or failed to pass the measure. and this fact makes 1t all the more suitable that the merits of the system should now be carefully con- sidered. One of the Birmingham pa- pers recently contained a communica- tion in which the writer in opposing the continuance of the military system, quoted from Webster the following definition of the term university:
 "A universal school in which are taught all branches of learning, or the four faculties of theology, medicine, law and the sciences and arts," etc.
 Now, if an instituii on of learning par takes more and more of the nature of a University as it enlarges the scope Of its curriculum, and increase the number of Its special and professional departments will the University of Alabama acquire a better title to its name by causing an existing course of study to be stricken out? If enlarge ment and increase of different lines of work characterize growing universities in general. why should the University of Alabama seek to have one of its de- partments eliminated,-the department of military science? While other in- stitutions are making additions to the "sciences and arts'' which they teach, why should our favor subtraction? We are of opinion that no objection would be made to the military course if 1t was entirely optional. 1t is only when military life Is made to apply to most of the students that some object. We submit that the objection should have but little weight. and that for several reasons: 1. Drilling relieves and di- verts the mind after 1t has been pour ing over foreign languages and abstract science. As military manoeuvres are practiced at times when the student would otherwise be engaged in amuse- ment or mental rest, the system does not interfere with other duties. By pre- serving order it really offers bet ter opportunity for reading and study. ?. The military system gives splendid training for the body. Out door games are good, and they should be encouraged. But too often the student who needs exercise the most is the one who is least inclined to en- gage in athletic sport. Some of the AAhCoL SSAOioAc Q tAot dlC 6L Lo0udtCu LIOhi our scholars break down in middle life from dyspepsia. nervous complaints, and general debility. The military system. by causing nearly all to drill. edtss5 ali to acquire strength of limb, breadth of chest, and ease of digestion. Shake hands with any of the Universi- ty graduates and you will feel the ef- feet of the military in the firmness and energy of his grip. 3. As a means of discipline, military training has no superior. It keeps up with a man. It follows him all day, and stays with him all night. He must rise at cer- tain hour, study certain hours, drill certain hours, rest or amuse himself certain hours. retire at a certain hour, and for certain hours engage in healthy sleep. The military teaches prompt ness and exactness. It inculcates obe- dience to law, It teaches a man, or ought to teach him. to respect authori- to be just and considerate towards those over whom he is placed in charge. A military man who donineers over his men, or punishes the innocent with the guilty, has not caught the true spirit of military science. Lessons In obedience and government are especial ly needed at this time in Alabama. The insubordination that occurred at the University a few months ago does not prove the inefficiency of the mili- tary as a means of discipline. It should be remembered that for several years previous to that occurrence the military had been allowed to run down. And it may be further observed that, notwithstanding this declension, the ef- feet of the system was seen in the good order which prevailed throughout the trouble Outbreaks and disorders are an incident of young and vigorous life. They occur in other States among the students of Russian. and even in the old Universities of Germany. In some colleges expulsions and other student troubles are not always published
 Such things are sometimes suppressed. But the people of Alabama need not fear that at this University anything seriously wrong will take place without their hearing of 1t, and in perhaps an exaggerated form. These disorders the military tends to reduce to a minimum. 1. 4 man in military life is constantly learning how to classify and organize men and work. This power of organi- zation is one of the great factors in business success. Military training viii aid man in the man. agement of a large farm. a department store. a machine shop, a factory, railroad. or any other business in which there are many employees. With out military training would the la mented Dr. Bryce have been able to organize our Insane Hospital, and to so control and direct two hundred em- ployes that g. thousand patients would
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