The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-11
BEER AND ZINE AZ THE C4N7EEyS
The Prohibition Question ~ Applied to
Our GnrrIsoned Forts


Our GnrrIsoned Forts
WASHINGTON. May 1o-Thc Sonnto during,
the past two days has been diScussin. tompcr-
ance in tho army. much in tile same way that
tho House discussed it Il few weeks ago The
advocates Of prohibition and the business d"v-
otaes Of rum were on ono side OF tho question
Involved while on the other were those who
would regulate and diminish tho use OF stimu-
latinG drinks in the army by Government SUI
pervson.
The question came IN on an item in tho Army
Appropriation bill relating TO tie cuntcens.
Thoso cooperative embellishments. familiar in
foreign services, were introduced several years
ago into some companies troops, and batteries
OF our army. and in February loS3 tile War
department provided FOR IL general establish
ment of post canteons. with n view to substi-
tutirg them for the stores OF the post traders.
1t was well known that tho cnnteenS could fur
rish refreshments and other articles sold by
the post trader at lower prices. AMI that be-
sides returning dividends TO tho mon tho sur
plus funds would provide reading and amuse-
mcnt rooms. Eynnasiums bowln. alleys, and
othor means Of rendering garrison lito more
attractive and comfoltablH.
But Mt the outset tho question arose Of fur
nishinC drink rs we'll rs foo and il was quickly
seen that unless tho cnnteon couli sell beer
and light winos. not only wOulh its mainte-
nance DO doubtful but a good part of the mon
would resort TO tho grogshois, always to he
found near garrison. where no control could
lie had over them Accordingly beer and ght
wines were sold Mt the cnn'ecns.
Now. in the House and Tia" SRnate an on
slaught has hecn made upon this rracti"e and
three classes OF people G"sire TO break it up.
First come rrohibitonists. some in tho army
and more outside. WHO consider thcr method
OF dealing with the appetite tor alcoholic slim
uants 10 be tn" only true one. Next como the
post traders. who iorcsce the downfall! Of the
canteen system and the restoration of :hcir
stores If tho former IS mt on n prohibition
basis Finally, tho liquor sellers in settlements
around the garrlsons have expected to get hack
some Of their lost customers II tho canteens
could be thus crippled. All this has made n
queer combination Of interests, and 1t Is
capped by the attitude of sumo congressman
whose zeal Tor the cause Of prohibition ia as
ardent as that of Artemus Ward tor tho Union.
which made him oiTer to sacrifice to it tho very
last OF bis wiies relations.
AS might ho sulm-ed. tho position of the
War Department was misreprcsented in tho
debate. II WAS accused by Mr. Morse OF Mas
sachesstts in the House, Mr. Blair OF New
Hampshire in tho Senate AMI others. o! estHb-
llShing government lliuor saloons a. tho forts,
OF opening new temptations TO ufnnh enneSS.
and OF furnishing facilities for he violation Of
the prohibition laws OF states in which garri-
sons may lie stationed A. II lnct, how
ever. thu sulc OF Wh!sKry AMI all othor
strong distilled liquors AT the cantoens
IL slrirtb forbidden by cNistinE reguln-
lions, the wOrIs of po,m Ssi'r bein: for
beer aud light wno-." These must o sold
in n scparHt" room, used for mat purpose only.
30 TIM no man visiting tho rhnt"oE may fairy
say thar h" WAS tempted 10y the presence Of
liiuor. Final y, not cNcn cor or light wines
can ho sold 10 civiHns Al the cantccns These
establishments arc governed Dy etrict rules
framed AT the v NJ department and admins
tered by army officers who, III addition to their
ordinary N crest in keeping their mon sober
are Liable t. trial 10y 'OuIt martial and the loss
OF their commissions Tor viUatIng those rules
But tie opponents II tho can'ecn system think
hours. to the NOR les Of tho gro!shop Keepers
around the Tort
While there ar" differences OF opinion on this
subject. tucro l. no doubt that II Nery great
mum her OF ufc"rs and men lavor tho new can
teen system. scores OF IenorS to this eitoct
could he cited. but Gen. Gibbons declaration
that "A prohibition Of the sale Of beer and wine
~ Tho cGntnens will result In nm incrensa of
d dissipation and decrease OF discipline is IL
good example of all the testimony. Cen Gil-
bon also says that most post trnder stores
are now little better than beer saiOuns:" ana
Adlt. Gen koltOn tells Congress that II has
been found impossible to enforce ut the post
traders stores the PROHIBITION against ardent
teens were substituted There seems to be no
rear onalIc doubt thar tho cunteen system as il
stands i an ally of temperance and OF dis
n