Evening star., 1916-01-23
REEVES OLD Plan
TO TRAIN OFFICERS
Capt. Joseph M. Locke, U. S.
A., Retired, Proposes Military
Academy in Each State.

Esta blishment of a military academy
in each state of the Union. at which
students should be under strict disci-
pline and military Instruction. plan
which was put into partial operation
soon after the close of the civil war.
but which was abandoned after few
vears-is suggested by Capt. Joseph NJ.
Locke, L. s. A., retired, 1860 Columbia
road Capt. Locke, who was brevetted
major and lieutenant colonel In the
civil war was active in the establish
ment of such an academy at Dayton.
Ohio. being aided In the work by Gen.
J. d. Cox. afterward Governor of Ohio.
and by Rutherford B. Hayes, also
governor of the state and afterward
President of the United states. Owing
10 failure of funds the academy was
forced to close in its third year.
The plan as detailed by Capt. Locke
provided that students at each state
military academy should be chosen by
competitive examination from among
the high school students of the state
with the highest scholastic standing.
Each school district was to have at
least one cadet in the academy.
Control OF the Academy.
The academy was to be under the d-
rection of a board of visitors, of which
the governor of the state, ex-officio.
should be president. the remaining
members being appointed from the sew
eraI districts of the state. The super
intendent of each academy was to be
man of military experience, and the
lat, oil IN
practical military man, both to be
either resigned retired or active off,
GERS of the United States Army.
The curriculum of the academies. the
plan provided, was to be military ana
based on that of West Point; and the
rules and regulations established at
the academies were to be identcal, as
far as possible, with those IN force
az the United States Military Academy.
The plan provided that students on
graduation were to receive from the
governor of the state commissions as
second lieutenants in the state militia.
promotions being made annually as re-
quired by incoming cadet graduates
until each graduate should have served
at least one year as captain. AFTER
this they were to be transferred to
a list subject to call into service when
necessary From such a list the plan
provided that the governor OF the state
was to select regimental, staf and gen.
eral officers of the militia OF the state
The plan also provided for automatic
retirement on attainment of a specified
age.
Federal Government Aid.
definite proportion of infantry,
artillery and cavalry equipment for
each of the proposed state academies
was to be provided by the federal
government. which was also to detail
military inspectors to insure COM
plete military concordance between the
various academies and the regular
military establishment of the United
States.
The plan was put in operation at
DAYTON the citizens of that place
having offered best inducements for the
location of the Ohio academy. Library.
scientific cabinets and physical labora-
tory equipment for the academy were
furnished by Capt Locke from those
of Prof John Locke. Regulations were
prepared at the West Point Academy
under the supervision of Capt. E. c.
Boynton. adjutant. and others, and
were approved by Gov. l. d. Cox of
Ohio. Capt. c. B. Stevers, L. S. A,
was commandant of cadets
Rapid increase in the number OF ca
dets enrolled required further advances
from the private funds of Capt. Locke.
The growth of the corps continued to
point where the Dayton suarantors
conceived the idea that they would not
be required TO fulfill their promises.
Cramped conditions followed the rapid
growth of the cadet corps at the acad-
emy until at the close Of the third
envy was compelled to close. When this
occurred the Dayton guarantors came
forward TO redeem their pledges, but
Capt Locke declined to make an effort
TO rehabilitate the academy and reopen
il for another academic year.
Workings of the Plan.
Discussing the plan and its actual op-
Grafton at the Dayton academy for
three years, Capt. Locke said:
The three years working under the
system clearly demonstrated that the
enforcement of strict details In mill
Iary requirements and drill in no way
repugnant TO cadets, but, as ex-
pectec created a satisfactory physical
development and laudable pride in
military affairs. subordination, organ
ixation and systematic procedure in all
matters of detail.
since the days in which the scheme
was devised. the great changes in army
equipments and practices. ] realize, re-
au,re enlarged training of officers
This has in no way diminished the
value Of the proposed schemes. but en-
hanced the same. Under existing con-
ditions some change Is desirable. 10
wit.
First The cadet corps to be di-
vided into two classes. follows;
Class A. who would pay for full bene-
Cts from the institution. including uni
forms. etc. Class b. definite number
accepted by the state for the entire
course. including graduation. the state
paying fixed sum for all expenses o1
each member of class 3, said sum Il
he refunded by the cadet TO the state
in ca Sc OF dlsuission under charges Of
failure 10 graduate, thus insuring a
least the desired number Of graduate,
and their service TO the state. the Sc
lection Of cadets in class y being gov
erued solely by their superior Cualifica
tons. regardless as 20 ability to NEE
sCadem e expenses.
Reimbursement for State.
"tu case OF graduate from class
passing riEid examination by III
general government and thereupoi
commissioned in the regular army. tina
the general government reimburse th
state for expenses incurred in the edu
cation of said graduate. In case o
graduates OF class 4 then the genera
II.