The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-07-31
CLEMSON SITUATION.

CLEMSON SITUATION.
Captain CIay's Attack on College D1s
counted by Army Oniicers.
Clemson College, s. 9
July 26, 1907
Mr.. Editor: :.
I take pleasure in sending
herewith the report of Capt. Julius A
Penn, member of the General Stan
u. s. Army, War Department, WASH
ington, who inspected the entire mill
tary and discipline department. o
Clemson Agricultural College, Apr
End and 3rd, 1907. This report wal
sent to me by the War Department
July 25th, and filed in the Department
June 18th, after Capt. Clay had beer
transferred. This report contains sat
isfactory replies to much Of thu
adverse criticisms against the Colleg,
which have appeared in some of the
papers of the State during the pas1
several weeks.
SPECIAL attention is called to the
statement that most cordial relation
ship existed between the president
faculty, and commandant, and thai
Capt. Clay seems to have full conf
dence and support Of faculty and stu
dents; also, that cadets performed
their military duties with "energy
and zeal"; that the inspecting Officer
recommends that Clemson College bt
classed among the highest of the two
grades of the Agricultural Colleges ir
the Country; that the conditions war
rant "beyond any question" the de
tail of an officer being continued.
May I ask sufficient space In tht
columns::of your paper for the:entire re
port as q matter Of justice to Clemson
College.
Yours truly,
P. Fl. Nell.
President
Clemson Agricultural College, s. G..
April 2, 8, 1907
To the Adjutant General,
US. Army, Washington, d. c.
Sir:
Ihave the honor to submit the
following report Of inspection of the
military Department Of Clemson Agri-
cultural College, s. c., made April 2,
3, 1907.
@. Is this institution essentially a
military school, or is the military in
struction merely single feature of the
course? If the latter ia the case, what
degree of importance ia attached to
the military instruction by the facul-
ty, and what prominence ls given 1t?
A. Single feature Of course. Con-
sidered of the greatest importance and
value by the faculty. Equal promi-
nence with other branches.
O.. Does the curriculum cover fully
the subjects in which q candidate as
second lieutenant from civil life is ex-
amined? If not, what additions
should be made to the course.
A. Does not include constitutional
or international law.
O.. Is the department of military
science and tactics graded equally
with the other important branches of
instruction, and is profiency in that
department requisite for securing a
diploma.
A. Yes. Proficiency a requisite to
secure diploma.
@. Is the officer on duty at the college
cordially supported by the faculty in
the matter ofmilitary instruction and
discipline? Give explicitly your rea-
sons for arriving at this conclusion.
A. Yes, most cordially. Conversa.
ton with the President and Prof. Hill.
Science and Tactics.
@. Are the students required to be
continuously In uniform, and do they
lead, as far as surrounding conditions
can reasonably be expected to permit,
q military life? In other words, are
conditions such as to impress them
constantly with sense of being under
military discipline?
A. Yes. Only exceptions to full
use of uniform is when engaged in
special work in Electricity and Agri-
cultural Departments.
@. To what extent, if at all, is the
true military spirit developed and
nurtured?
A. General appearance and con-
duct, bearing, etc., such as to lead me
to believe that true military spirit
prevails to q much stronger degree
than Is usual in Class B. institution.
@. With what degree of zeal is
military duty performed?
A. With energy and a proper de-
gree of zeal.
@. How did the appearance Of the
cadets at inspection compare with
what you would reasonably expect in
a similar organization of regular
troops?
A. In everything except keeping
of distances and strength due to age
and experience, the appearance was
equal.
@. Has the practical military in
struction been carried out on broad
practical lines, or has q been limited
10 drill?
A, This year limited to drill and
guard duty. Season of practical work
to be given in April, May and the first
week in June.
@. Are the requirements as to time
allowed the military department fully
complied with?
A. Yes, 8 hours per week for four
years for drill and parade. General
military work satisfactory. Morning
inspection in addition.
O.. Has the course Of instruction
prescribed in Pars. % and %, G. o.
iOl, War Dept, 1905, been carried out?
A. Yes, this spring april, May
and June) further instruction will be
given in Field Service Regulations,
Small Arms Firing Regulations and
Instrumentation.
@. Is the military instruction OF
such extent and thoroughness as to
qualify the average graduate for a
commission as lieutenant Of volun.
teers? .,
A. Without doubt more than hall
would be so qualified, probably all Of