The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-12-11
Has Been Regulated by the Ac.
ton of Congress.
THE VOTE ON THE BILL
Made Definite and Certain the Sentiment
With Reference to lt...W. G.
T. u. Ladies Applaud.


days of discussion.
This measure was introduced by
Hull, of Iowa, chairman of the military
committee, on the opening day of the
session, and yesterday Il came up for
debate. The house leaders were de-
termined to make good time on II. and
accordingly kept up full head OF steam
from start to finish. The bill now goes
to the senate, where, 1t is expected, 1t
will receive early attention.
In it's present form 1t authorizes the
organization of an army which will corr
sist of about $1,000 men at maximum
strength and $1,000 at minimum. Ex-
elusive of the increase in artillery. the
permanent establishment Is fixed at 49,
054, and exclusive of the artillery arm
entirely at 40,O04.
In committee of the whole this after
noon the house amended the bill so as
to prohibit absolutely the sale of in
toxicating liquor on army reservations; );
in other words, the army canteen sys-
tenn was knocked out. This action was
taken through the adoption of an
amendment offered by Mr.. Littlefield.
of Maine, which legally though not in
fact, Is a prohibition state. A spirited
discussion occurred on Littlefeld's
proposition, and among those partici-
pating were General Charles Fl. Gros-
venor and General Charles Dick, Of
Ohio. Grosvenor
DEFENDED THE CANTEEN
system as most army officers and even
army chaplains have done, but said he
would vote for the amendment in recog-
milton of what seemed to be a certain
public sentiment.
However, he had serious doubt of it's
practical wisdom. Dick spoke in favor
of the amendment, which was finally
adopted by mixed vote of 122 to 10O
Whether the senate will acquiesce in
this particular action of the house Is
problematical. The vote on the bill as
it passed was 1865 to 133 The Demo-
cratic opposition to 1t was weak and
unorganized and necessarily futile.
During the discussion of the canteen
question Fitzgerald of Massachusetts,
offered in lieu of the Littlefield amend
ment another, which proposed that the
prohibition of the sale of liquor should
apply not only to army reservations,
but to government property of all kinds
HIS Noulu lll'iuut tbe 'apitoi
wher liquor ia sold in the restaurants
and cafes. Unanimous consent was
necessary to the consideration of Fitz-
gerald's proposition, but it was not
given, Shattuc, of Cincinnati, objecting.
Mr.. Littlefield's substitute for the
canteen provision of the bill is as fol-
lows
"The sale of or dealing in beer, wine,
or any intoxicating liquors by any per-
son in any post, exchange, or cateen
or army transport or upon any premises
used for military purposes by the Unit
ed States is hereby prohibited. The
secretary of war is hereby directed TO
carry the provisions of this section into
full force and effect"
CONTROVERSY REVIEWED.
Mr.. Littlefield reviewed the long
standing controversy over this subject.
and after reading letter from Adju-
tant General Corbin stating that IS
per cent Of the officers Of the army
favored the canteen system, he read
also a statement made by General Cor
bin in 1892 condemning the canteen sys-
tenn as not conducive to the discipline
or the best interests OF the soldier. Mr..
Littiefield also read statement by
General Ludlow, who testified to the
good effect of discouraging the sale Of
liquor to soldiers In Cuba. Mr.. Fitz-
gerald (Mass.) opposed the amendment.
UNLESS we desire to act as hypo-
critics." said he. I'VE should vote down
this amendment. 1t Is impossible to en-
force prohibition in any part Of this
nf UUa AZ
enlist 65,600 men for service in the
Philippines or any where else who can
be made total abstainers. We should
seek to promote temperance in the way
which will bring the best results"
Mr.. Fitzgerald concluded with an at
tack upon prohibition as 1t maintain
ed in Maine.
Mr.. Grosvenor, (Ohio) declared that
prohibition had been a failure where
ever 1t had been tried. Nevertheless
he said, ne would vote for the amend
ment. If good came Of 1t he would
thank God: II not as he believed II
would not. no harm would be done
and congress could easily
RETRACE IT'S STEPS.
Mr.. Slayden (Texas) who is a member
of the military committee, opposed the
| amendment. II reason and not hysteria
was to control legislation, he said, II
| would be voted down. He said that
officers conversant with the workings OF
the canteen system were unanimous Ii
endorsing 1t. 1t was an influence .fol
| temperance. Mr.. Pearce (Mo said III
was prepared to assert that nothing
would do so much 10 break down tru,
| temperance in the army as absOlut.
prohibition. Mr.. Hay (Va.) believed (.
was wrong for the government to ell
gage In the sale Of liquor. He was op
posed to throwing temptation In tn,
direct path of young men who entered
the army. He asserted that the evi
dence of-the army officers was not alto
gether on one side of the question
| (Applause.)
Many members Of the w. C. T.. u
were In the gallery and loudly applaud
ed the result. Mr.. Fitzgerald then pro
posed an amendment to prohibit tn
| sale of liquor in the capitol buiIdina