worthy the name of a college was established till 1833.[1] Its first location was in the capital, but for many years it had no fixed abiding-place, and was removed from one building to another, as circumstances necessitated, till finally Tacubaya was selected as the place for its permanent establishment.
The instruction of soldiers of the line, until 1839, was almost entirely neglected, but in June of that year Santa Anna established a primary school in each army corps, and laid down regulations for their government.[2] He, moreover, founded in the capital a normal school for the instruction of primary teachers.[3]
In 1840 Bustamante established a school at Chapultepec, in which students at the military college might complete their education for all branches of the service. This institution was called La Escuda de Aplicacion. In 1843 the code of ordinances of both these establishments was remodelled, since which time a marked improvement is observable, military academies being established in all the army corps.
Some changes were made by Maximilian, but were no more lasting than his own brief reign. The college at Tacubaya was broken up, but reëstablished by Juarez in December 1867, and was afterward removed to Chapultepec.[4] At this institution cadets are educated for every branch of the service, and it is to Mexico what West Point is to the United States, with which establishment it can be favorably compared.[5]
After independence, the government for several
- ↑ By decree of Nov. 16th. Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, iii. 538.
- ↑ Mex., Col. de Ley. y Decret., 1839, 144-50.
- ↑ Orphan sons of soldiers were admitted. The sum of $36,000 was assigned for the maintenance of these schools. Ib.
- ↑ In January 1880, Porfirio Diaz by decree established in it a chair for the instruction of mechanics, as applied to navigation. The salary attached was $1,200 per annum. Decreto, no. 6, annex 2, in Decretos Circulares, 187989; Mex., Recop. Leyes, i. 503-5; Id., iii. 451-97.
- ↑ The curriculum is as comprehensive. Diaz reformed the code of ordinances in 1879, and Gonzalez in 1881. Forty professors and instructors are employed, and the course of studies includes geodesy, astronomy, physics, chemistry, stereotomy, military jurisprudence, logic, and the rights of nations, topographical and linear drawing, and the French and English languages. The annual appropriation is over $115,000, and the military system of discipline is observed. Graduated cadets are under the obligation to serve for three years in the army. Mex., Ap. Mem. Guerra y Marin, Doc. 4; Mex., Mem. Guerra, 1883, Doc. 16.
