Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-08-28
MILITARY DEPARTMENT OBJ THE
STATE UNIVERSITY.

builded wiser than oven he knew when
he promoted tho passage Of the college,
providing for instruction among otheri
things in agriculture and military
science More than ono institution now
has It's "Morril! Hall" as a worthy tributss
to the far-sceing wisdom Of tho father OF
the state university .dea in the landi
grant
AS Is fitting. Vcrmont's state Cniver-
sity has its Morrill, Hall" and not far
fdlstant IN the gymnasium building has
been established and equipped an
armory which viii aid in carrying out
Senator Morrill's idea Of military instrlc-
don broadoned TO meet new coniitiona
and modern Requirement..
1t is simply a matter OF Justice to s,,y
that Capt. Ira Z. Reeves mas impaired a
new spiri: to the department of military
science and drill at tho University Of
Vermont, and in no way has his power 90
Initiative and enthusiasm over his wcrh
manifested itsef more forcefully than
/ in the A:tinG up, largely through his
own work, of an armory which mus. a6d
still further 20 tho 5scl anf efficient
University battalion.
! The large space on tho ncith side CT tho
| gymnasium formerly used as n bowling
! alley hNs tsen converted by Cap.eia
Reeves :nto an -r1nory as complete arr
as satisfying az it Ia up-to-date ana
serviceaoe. west Of tie Arrnory proper.
/ which occupies the central portion Of
The space. Is the library, the contents in-;'
GLIDING the thousand military volumes
of the late Gen. o. o. Howard loaned to-
the institution by Mr.. II. s. Howard,
the large silver cup presented by Mr..
Louis c. Clark, and the handsome silk
flag given to the university cadets by thei
Daughters Of the American Revolution.
while east of the armory proper is q
spacious room for the commissioned off,
Gers, and beyond that large kitchen for
the use of the university in connection
with the alumni breakfast and others
functions
| Some of our people may not realize the.
extent to which Uncle Sam provides fon
military instruction and drill. looking tor
efficiency in both the art and the sciencs
Of war at the present time, but ths
armory proper occupying the central
space affords some idea of his foresight
| cdness. Here are ten gun stands each
with twenty Springfield rifles of the
standard pattern used in the regular
army. with the equipment for each cadet
carefully numbered the same as the
weapon. Here are cavalry sabres for in
struction in the use OF that weapon, as
Of ammunition. and much of the para
phernalia of war for use in promoting
the art of defence. while at one end
OF the armory are the charts and the
platform used in connection with in
struction in both military strategy and
tactics
| In the basement an indoor range has
been fitted up for the development Of
that craftsmanship which has rightly
come to be regarded as one of the most
important factors in connection with the
preparation of force for actual war
fare. Here are booths for both rife
and pistol practice. with trolley APP
paratus for the return of the targets to
the gunners, so there is no necessity OF
exposure to danger of attendants at the
target end of the range, and with cleo
trio lights adjustable to the needs Of the
men at practice. Here also are the clean
ing tables and paraphernalia. all going
to make up a most complete armory and
shooting range.
The United States inspector from the
general staff made a very complimentary
report concerning the military department
Of the University OF Vermont, The ten
best military schools in the country are
put in a class designated as Dis
tnguished," and the report stated that
with continuation OF the marked i'm
provement noted there was no reason
why the state university should not gain
place therein. thus securing the pres
tige of being the only university repre-
scented in the class,
the report spoke highly OF tho wofH
done by Captain Reeves, mentioning IN
particular tho excellence Of the company
and battalion Grl,. CHASING practically
every feature as very good and speak,
irG ecpeciaiy of the fine appearances on
the university tattniion.
Captain Reeves sets t. splendid exiunpls
: FOR both military men ana people IN or
O binary walks of uie BY insietinG that al
I weapons shall be handed as Though
locded, eiEoe the question whether gun
is loaded IS mere matter of memory.
The Importance of the enforcement OF
this rule especially by the cadets De-
- t, .