The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1915-02-02
CLEMSON As 4 MILITARY
COLLEGE.

the recent conference at Clemson Col
suggestion or criticism that came to
mind as to the management of the col
lege. The editor of The Intelligencer
does not wish TO be classed as a critic
OF this splendid institution, and we
saw much there TO commend. and lit
tie that could be criticised. We shall
offer one small suggestion which we
believe would add to the efficiency of
ths college. and would create bet
ter impression upon the observer, and
have better effect upon the student
body. We would like to see Clemson
College more military.
This college Is military college,
and as such has the services of an
army officer as commandant In the
man the military features are OBJ
served, but there are many little
things done that are not strictly mil
itary. For instance, cadets are allowed
to wear citizen overcoats, and a few
cadets may wear them while many do
not The cadets do not respond as
promptly to military commands as
strict military discipline demands. In
marching at attention the ranks are
not kept as well CLOSED up" as they
might be, and one cadet was seen
marching into chapel with his hands
in his pockets. So far as we saw, this
was not corrected. Marching into the
dining hall they were allowed to fall
out of ranks, and the marchers to
class rooms did not keep. strict order.
We are not calling attention to these
things in a fault finding way, but
simply to afford reason for, sug-
gestion we shall make.
We would suggest shat strict mil
itary discipline he enforced. and that
cadet officers require strict obedience
to all commands, thus placing Glenn
son College on par with othef mil
itary institutions. AS furtheI sug-
gcstion we would like to sec all pro-
fessors and officials OF the college in
uniform. This would add greatly to.
the appearance of the corps ahd to
the neatness of the dress. 1t would
be uniform. and would not be 3more
costly than citizens clothes are.i We
feel sure that the commandant will
agree with usl that these suggestions
s-e warthy consideration.
, In recent address on the military
college. Col. o. }, Bond, supsrintehdent
Of the Citadel said:
THE invaluable lessons of prompt
and cheerful obedience, sof consistent
punctuality. or orderliness and thdus-
try taught by military discipline are
among its best recommendations The
systematic routine of military training
is not wasted time, but recognition
OF proper proportions.
"In the military system, duty is a
word much heard and often cordially
hated. But the moral value OF placing
duties upon. college students, arduous,
oftentines unpleasant duties. has a
high value in appearing to their man
hood and sense Of honor.
Respect for%. law and authority is
one OF the first lessons taught in NIL
itary discipline. In fact, there is an
objection raised to military training
because Ii teaches a boy to obey un-
questioningly. But II seems to me THAT
the military system, where young
man leads for four years life of self
restraint, obedience to law, and atten-
tion to duty. produces habits which
viii be of inestimable service in after
life" <
Referring to the matter Of wearing
uniform he said:
Consider for a moment the
democracy of the uniform. The bro
canned boy from the plow handle on
the farm and the well-dressed youth
from the city do not look much unlike
when they stand In uniform side by
side in the ranks. In uniform they
start at the post together. neither
with any handicap. and 1t is to be the
better man who wins the race. Char
aeter and merit alone will count"
The above remarks are INTENDED as
= kindly suggestion and not meant 40
q criticism, To the casLal obs,ervor.
not initiated In strict military usaReg.
these minor oyersights In discipline
would not be observed. but they are
noticeable to Q mai of military ex-
perience. Clemson College in her 500
strong young men. has hesmaking of
a military college second to none In
the country. We hope to see this
school the peer of the Citadel, the ".
NJ. l.. or any school in military tactics
as well as in other lines.