Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1903 — UNCLE BAM, SCHOOLMASTER. [ARTICLE]

UNCLE BAM, SCHOOLMASTER.

Evidence that th* Day of "Influence” in Army Has Pa**ed. Much fun has been poked at the military schools which have been established recently for the benefit of the officers of the army. The criticism has always come from people who frown upon all army reforms and Innovations because they have a tendency to destroy antiquated methods which, despite their uselessness, are looked upon as sacred by the critics because of their antiquity. Among the things said of the schools was that tiiey would be schools In name ionly, and that no real work would be required of the men who attended them. The contrary was demonstrated recently when six army officers were ordered before a court-martial at the Fcrt Leavenworth school because thay had neglected their studies, ar.d had In consequence been found deficient on examination. This action, which was approved by the War Department, shows that the Schools are not play places, and that officers who look upon them as sbeh are liable to be brought up on the chares of conduct prejudl-

clal to military discipline and good order. The action on the part of the War Department also shows what Mr. Root has taken pains to demonstrate on several occasions—that there is no longer such a thing as “Influence” in the army. The good old times when officers could loaf along and be advanced as their seniors retired, died, cr resigned have passed away ,with ether things, tangible and otherwise. An officer und;r the new regulations must keep up his studies If he hopes to be promoted. Unless he does so he will soon be elbowed out of thb Service, no matter how much “influence” he may have or how far reaehing his “pull” may be. The War Department has taken pains on several occasions to make Its policy on that point clear, but there are still some officers who are skeptical on the subject and seem to think that the show of severity is simply a show. They will discover that It Is real at their next examination if they should not reach the required standaid.—New York Tribune.