The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-02

~ - UTTT q UTOTITDIT-
ing all sales of alcoholic liquors. beer, or
wine, in military posts in States where
sales TO civilians are prohibited by law.
and the terms used in the act of March
:, 1888, which seemed to be designed as a
regulation of the sale in post exchanges
and a prohibition of such sale by post
traders, led to a reference by my prede-
cessor to the attorney general for a con-
struction of this provision of the act Of
March 2, 1899.
THE attorney general. on the 18th of
April, rendered an opinion to the effect
that the section In question does not pro-
hibit the continuance of the sale of intox-
icating drinks through the canteen sec
tons of the post exchanges as heretofore
organized and carried on. except that, of
course, no officer or soldier can be put on
duty in the canteen section TO do the SELL
ing, either directly or indirectly
AGREES W. III GRIGGS.
1.-THE regulations have been amended to
strued. 1 agree with the view that this
is the more reasonable construction of the
statute. 1t is. however, questioned by many
citizens, and 1t is very desirable that if Con-
gress does in fact intend to absolutely pro-
hibit the sale of beer and light wines in post
exchanges to the soldiers of our army in
States where such sale is permitted by law
TO all other persons, this intention should
De expressed IN terms which are free from
doubt.
1T Is to be observed that the sale OF ar
dent spirits is now strictly prohibited by the
army regulations. and that the sale of beer
and light wines Is limited TO the cases where
the commanding officer of the post is sat-
isiied that giving TO the troops the oppor-
tunity of obtaining such beverages within
the post limits will prevent them from re-
sorting for strong intoxicants 10 places
without such limits. and tends to promote
temperance and discipline among them
For the purpose or aScertaining the eff
feet OF this regulation a circular letter was
sent TO each~departmen commander on the
second day OF May last, directing the sub
mission of a series of questions TO the Of
ficers OF the army, designed to elicit the re-
suits OF their experience and observation
as 10 the effect OF the sale OF beer, etc. In
post exchanges upon the morality, sobriety
and discipline of the troops, and their opin-
ions as 10 the effect OF an actual prohibit
ton.
Some regiments were of course so situ-
ated az the time that 1t was not practicable
to secure the expressions from them. Elk
pressions have been received from fifteen
OF the twenty-five regiments of infantry,
seven OF the ten regiments of cavalry. and
five OF the seven regiments of artillery.
The overwhelming testimony OF the army
Is TO the effect that the present regulation
has promoted the temp france, discipline.
morals, and health OF tho enlisted men, and
that in the interest of morality and eff
fective service IL should be retained. No
change has accordingly been made in the
regulation.
fcers 1T should be borne in mind that en-
listed men are not always on duty; that
during considerable portions OF their time
they always are. and necessarily must be.
permitted to go about the outside or their
camps and posts Just as other citizens do,
and that when they are thus at liberty IL
Is impossible to subject them TO restraints
which are not also imposed upon the other