New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-13
OFFICERS AND PRIVATES.
EMBELLISHMENTS THAT RESULT FROM
THE CLASS DISTINCTIONS AT TAMPA.
THE REGULAR ALWAYS SUBORDINATE, But
THE VOLUNTEER FEELS HIMSELF AS
GOOD AS ASYBoDY-BAR-
ROOM ETIQUETTE.

ROOM ETIQUETTE.
Tampa, Fla. June SpeciaD-There are
those who have declared that permanent army
is al variance with the spirit o: American ins'-
tutions on account Of the class distinctions
which 1t enforces. This question OF the obedience
Of privates TO their officers came up as factor
/ In the unwillngness Of certain Of the Brooklyn
milit!amon to enlist unless under their own OIL
GERS West Pointers they said. regarded them
selves as Of different social grade than the
men beneath them. and avoided all save Official
intercourse with them In National Guard
regiment the officers all come from the ranks.
and. outside OF actual military duty, were not
one whit better than the fellows who wore no
shoulder-straps.
In Tampa volunteers and Regulars IN
Discriminatory thrown together and their d!f-
ferent views CT the respect due their officers are
interesting 70 watch. The Regular is a subordi-
nate wherever he IS. HIS demeanor toward COM
missoned officers is always one % outward con-
sheraton II ne is sent 20 the Tampa Bay
Hotel, where the Army headquarters are. ne at
tends 10 his business at once and then departs.
He shows that he feels himself an nNen there.
He would never think OF going into the barroom.
where officers are. AT the evening concerts he
invariably remains out the lawn.
I
as likely as not occupied as good position So
cially as his captain or major and he hasn't
learned the distinctions which are impressed on
his brother the Regular. So your private from
| Georgia or South Carolina feels as free in the
Tampa Bay Hotel as {. he We're In Atlanta or
/ Charleston walks confidently into the barroom.
even II a brigadier- general Is already there. and
orders his drink The officers In the Regular
Army do not view the type with favor. Perhaps
few months service Will teach some lessons.
Meanwhile this freedom OF the new men has
had a certain Influence on the Regulars. They
see soldiers wearing the Same uniform as them
/ selves acting Ike gentlemen. and are not quite
so willing as before 10 remember their ftations
| II is not characterization. but just a mutiered
growl
In army posts there is seldom chance fha'
| IN officer and a private Will meet IN drinking
resort The Officer has his club or sideooard or
high-class hotel: the man his canteen or grog-
/ gerry or course. In n barroom there are no
( social distinctions and the presence OF two
| castles Is as awkward 10 the private as to the
1 captain Here Il sometimes happens that "A
J party o, officers will start to enter barroon
/ only 10 End some enlisted men already there
The newcomers DO not cross the threshold. how
ever thirsty they are. II there Is only one pri-
vate and ne escapes immediate observation
they may enter In this case he gets INTO inc
,urthest corner OF the place. finishes his glass
and hurrcs out with a'erted eyes. There Is no
sauting In a barroom.
In some OF the better class Of liquor stores
here rooms have been set apart for officers In
one case sign has been put up For Officers
ONLY" but this rather CRATES on ones sensibili-
Ties The men are quick TO observe, and soon
learn what part OF the establishment TO avoid.
There is fine moral lesson OF obedience in
Army lie for volunteers. and in general they
! ,eern 10 have looked at IL In that light Certain
exneriences must have been dsagreeabe, how
| ever Thus In travelling. pr!yates go In day
! coaches officers In sleeping cars. II must CRATE
! -, the feelings Of a private who may be able 10
charter a special train 10 see perhaps one OF MS
own employees ride IN luxury while he has cold
rations But the spiri; that will lead man 70
! On IN war Will brook these smaller unpleasant
! reeses and the men have shown a praiseworthy
/ selr-control and contentmcnt In their wlHhg'
moss m do everything that a soldier should. they
/ d,ner from the Regulars. They may forget 10 sa
| Int an officer but are shamcfaced AT being re-
minded OF their duty. 4 Regular may look II
another direction 10 avoid having TO salute
superior II Il the difference between war as
busIness and as n patriotic impulse. This Is mol
Intended to mean that the Regulars are surly ol
rebellious in spirit. but merely that there are
certain ane distinctions which need not be over