New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-19
NATIONAL GUARD AFFAIRS
THE cANTEEN sYsTEM-oUEsTIoN OF asETa
TING UP.n

| THE CANTEEN sYsTEM-QUEsTIoN OF "sET
| TING UP"
The almost universal approval which has been given
| to tho canteen system by the post commanders In
| the Regular Army ought to go long way In Solving
| this same problem at the state Camp at Peekskill.
IL took long time to overcome the preiudices against
the canteen system in the Regular Army, but since
II has been fairly tested It's worst enemies have ac|
| knowledged It's usefulness In the sem-annual re-
ports Of the post commanders throughout the United
States which received by the Secretary OF war
not long ago. considerable attention was paid to this
| subject. Reports received from 100 post COM
manders, and there were only three VINO ala not
| give unqualified approval to the system. Coionei
| Carlin who Is In command Of Fort Sherman Idaho.
wrote that the canteen improvement over the
| post-traders' stores, and Of the two evils waa
preferable to the nquorshops in the adjacent village.
Many officers in the National Guard will say Amen"
| TO that and will recall the trouble which the adj
iacent village has caused at Peekskill What Colonel
CarIin has to say is still more TO the point when IL Is
known that he is OF the most persistent opponents
OF the system The canteen Of his post, too has
had the opposition Of members of temperance society
among tie soldiers under tho lead OF the chaplain.
| Carlln is the only one among the 100 post COM
manders who does not present statistics proving the
beneficial effect of the canteen In preventing deSerons
and preserving discipline. The commanding officers Of
posts situated in prohibition States unite In recon-
mendng change in the law authorizing the sale OF
beer IN the canteen. In view of the approval which
has thus been given TO the system after fair practical
test there does not appear TO be any reason why 1t
should not be adopted at Peekskill
A good many officers have warmly advocated this
plan for time while Others who were in favor Of
it have been afraid to publish their Views
on the subject No doubt the proposal
10 establish canteen in the camp would meet with
violent opposition from those who are known TO have
strong prejudices against It, Probably nine out OF
ten Of them would have to admit, however, that q
canteen would be a vast Improvement on the present.
system In vogue at Peekskin. To have canteen run
by the State authorities under proper restrictions would
be much better than having the law governing the
camp openly violated by organization which oc-
cupes the place for q week each year. The canteen
would be the of cleaning out all the gnmills al
Annsvlle and prevent repetition Of the trouble
caused by Mr. Dunphy last year.
Another subject which is receiving considerable at
tention from the officers Of the Regular Army and
which the National Guard would do we'll TO initiate arc
the setting up" exercises General Jackson while
at Peeksldll last year more than once spoke
OF the evident lack Of this exercise among the
militiamen. He thought 1t was matter OF great
regret that many Of the companies made such a bad
appearance, when little instruction In the right
direction would remedy the defect 1t was painful
sight in his eyes 10 lot OF strong young men
with round shoulders and heads bent forward that
their chins nearly rested their chests General
Jackson contendcd-and every che knows It Is fact
that the mere appearance was the least consideration
In treating Of this evil. The fact Of prime importance
was that exercise which would make young man
throw back his shoulders and hold up his head would
tend 10 lenghen his life and keep him in better con-
diti0n physically while he lived. few steps have
been taken In the right direction in the National Guard.
and many more ought 10 be taken.
\ large number Of Interesting celebrations Will be
held by the veterans Of the different National Guard
organizations Of this city between this time and May L.
New-Yofk military organizations may be proud OF the
part they took In the War Of the Rebellion The
Veterans viii celebrate the thrteh anniversary OF their
departure for the front with fitting exercise
Nearly all the regiments In this city ana broohyn
are mok.ng preparations TO go TO camp. particnar
attention II being paid 10 camp duties, ana the pans
inlet which Adutsat General Porter has sent 10 the
officers comes a the right tine. II contains sopd
resume OF General movements Of an army on tho
mareh ard what measures OF protection are taken.
Tie section on grand guards Il particularly inssS
esting and instructive