Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1894 [PAGE 246]

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PROCEEDINGS BOARD OE TRUSTEES.

U N I V E R S I T Y OF ILLINOIS, May 23,

247

1894.

Dr. T. J. Burrill, Acting Regent, University of Illinois, SIR: I have the honor to bring to your attention a few proposed changes in the rules which I regard as necessary to facilitate instruction and to promote the efficiency of the battalion. The present practice is to appoint captains and lieutenants from t h e junior class. In no year have I been able to supply each company with a full complement of officers, viz., one captain, one first and one second lieutenant, because of the withdrawal from the military class of a number who had been sergeants the preceding term and t h e failure of others to return to the University. Lieutenants are neccessary as assistants to t h e captain and to command platoons. Thus far I have been obliged to o m i t practical instruction in platoon movements, both in the schools of the company and the battalion. There is serious objection to promoting to the grade of captain a sergeant who has not first served in the subordinate capacity of a lieutenant. I t should be done in extreme cases only. Moreover, it seems but right t h a t t h e services of instructed seniors should be utilized. Again, the withdrawal of students from the junior military class at the opening of the college year is doubtless due, to a certain extent, to the dislike to serve under a classmate in a subordinate capacity. I have no doubt this feeling has led several to drop out in the past years. I would therefore recommend for consideration the following proposed changes in the rules, viz: T h a t the students having had six terms of drills and of recitations be eligible for appointment as lieutenants; t h a t those having had nine terms of drill and of recitations be eligible for appointment as majors and captains. That scholarships of the money value of twenty-two and one-half dollars, payable at the close of the college year, be awarded to the lieutenants: t h a t to those attaining the grades of major and captain be awarded scholarships of like value, payable at the same time, and, in addition, t h a t they be paid twelve and one-half dollars per term. ISo recitations to be required of seniors. I am of t h e opinion, also, t h a t corporals should be appointed at the beginning of the winter instead of the spring term. One term is too -short a period in which to fit them for the position for sergeants. The military professor should be authorized to select his corporals from the freshman class. Since the members of t h a t class must serve two college years i n the battalion, the officer in charge ought to be permitted to say in what capacity each individual can, in his judgment, render the most efficient service. The present plan of forming the freshman military class from those who choose it voluntarily is often unsatisfactory; I had almost said, vicious. Certainly the best material is not always thus attained; and poor material, if offered, must be accepted. There is no alternative. I am, sir, yours very respectfully,

E. R. HILLS,

Captain 5th Artillery, Professor of Military Science and Tactics. I add also some extracts from the inspection of t h e military department, made May 18, 1894, by Colonel E. M. Heyl, Inspector General, U. S. A.

" U R B A N A , I I I . , May 18, 1894."

To the Inspector General, U. 8. A., Washington. D. C , SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of an inspection of the military department of the University of Illinois, Urbana, 111., made this day. * * *

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