The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-19
Letters to The Editor.
Montgomery Does Not Desire or Re
 quire an Army Post.

Montgomery Does Not Desire or Re-
 quire an Army Post.
 Editor The Advertiser:
 Your correspondent was amazed by the intelligence that the Congressman from Huntsville. Birmingham and Montgom- cry were engaged in an eager contest for the establishment of an army post in one of these cities. No conduct could be marked by greater short-sightedness. This Is especially true of the advocates of such a station at this place.
 What benefit will the city of Montgom- cry derive from it? Will 1t promote the commerce of the city? Will the mer- chants or mechanics or professional men be benefited in any manner whatever? No; not at all.
 While the officers of the army may be we'll educated and accomplished men of society, they bring no trade or business. Their uniforms will be made in New York. Philadelphia, Cincinnati or Chica- go, by merchant-tailors long experienced in the manufacture of such al ticles. 1t is true the officers may occasionally buy a pair of shoes, or a pair of gloves, a bunch of flowers. or a vial of perfumery. or q pack of cards-only these. and nothing more.
 The clothing of the private soliiers would be. supplied by, army contractors in the cities mentioned. Possibly, the sol- tfief would Sometimes buy plug of to- bacco, or a few cigars or cigarettes, a pound of candy, or bottle of whiskey. Their rations would be supplied from some or all the large cities located in regions where provisions abound and can be easily obtained.
 Thus it is seen that such a station in- creases the business, neither of drapers nor the grocers of a community near which it may be fixed.
 The encampment of any portion of the army has never been known to promote the morality of its vicinity. Both the of-, ficers and men are, for the most part. idle. Beyond the drill and routine of the camp, nothing engages their attention. A few officers may read polite literature. but the majority of them devotes itself to leading the german, the twirling the girls in waltzes and other dances not conducive to modesty or delicacy of sem timeht. If not engaged in such frivolity. they sometimes frequent gambling hells. liquor saloons and other resorts not ap- D. owed by decent public opinion. They lead immature young men by their ex- ample and influence Into habits not pro- motive of usefulness or responsibility. While thoughtless young women by such
 
 important duties of life. Sometimes re- uts occur from such intercouge which it is needless to mention. But in order to obtain such a blessing as an army post it is said 20,000 acres must be obtained for the Federal Government. By whom will it be purchased? The price of some of the most fertile land around Mont gomery would be from $3O0.OO0 to $500, ,0OO As no property owned by the Federal Government is liable to taxation, the conveyance of such tract would impov- erish the State and county to the extent of It's taxable value. So many acres of some of the most productive land in the Commonwealth would be withdrawn from agriculture. It would deprive the people of the opportunity to establish homes upon 1t, So much land adjacent to the city might be used for the location of various factories in which industrious people could be employed and add to the general prosperity.
 Other considerations may be urged against the army post, but for the pres ent this article is sufficiently long.