The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-31
CONGRESS AND THE CANTEEN.
The Army Statistics Should Be Con-
sidered at Next Session.
Washington Post.

NdSIillSl vi l.
1t seems proper TO remind the temper
ance, or, rather. the prohibition people
now engaged in challenging the state
ments OF the army officers at our military
posts that they are hardly going about
the controversy in the right way. Their
contention is that these officers haze not
submitted to them convincing proof OF the
increase of drunkenness at the posts since
the abolition of the canteen. Therefore,
they are not satisfied as TO the truth of the
assertion. And herein they make a mis-
take, in our humble opinion. The army OF
hcerS are not required TO report TO them.
In the course OF their duty-doubtless un-
der Instructions from the War Department
they are furnishing the secretary with
certain facts. Their obligations extend no
further. The worthy and well-meaning
PEOPLE who have secured the abolition OF
the canteen and are now endeavoring to
prove that the act was wise, beneficent
and elevating are entitled TO all credit on
the score of their sincerity and their good
Intentions. But they do not constitute u
court before which the army authorities
are bound to plead. and the latter can hard
liz be put in default if they proceed upon
that unquestionable hypothesis.
The truth of the matter is that all par,
ties to this controversy must be regarded
as honest and well meaning. The Pro-
hibitionists really believe that it is a wise
thing 10 treat the enlisted men of the
army-and the navy as well-like chill
dren. and to suppress. not regulate. the
manifestation Of their appetites by a
hard and fast law. The army authorities,
ItCoSIllZlnB the survival Oh human ma
ture, and having spent years in prac-
teal experiment with a view 10 minimiz-
ing its evil effects, are now convinced
that the canteen is the most potent
agency of temperance within human
reach. The men cannot he actually i'm
prisoned. They must. therefore,. have
liberty at longer or shorter intervals.
Experience has shown that, with pro-
hibition the rule at this post. this liberty
is nearly always grossly abused. The
canteen has had a fair trial. and the sta
tistics, taken from the guardhouse and
the hospital. show that its operation has
been for the moral. physical and pro-
fessional betterment of the soldier.
Sickness decreased and INSTRUMENTATION
reached its lowest ebb. while the health.
morale and discipline Of the post improved
in a like ratio under the dispensation OF the
canteen. Testimony to this effect has been
given by officers themselves total abstain
ers and genuinely opposed TO the use of
liquor. These officers. however. are en-
lightened men. The question submitted to
il truthfully. The general impression
throughout the country is that the issue re-
lates to the efficiency and discipline of the
army and the physical well-being of the
men. The verdict of the overwhelming ma
jority. therefore. is that the canteen plan
is the right one. provided the consumma-
ton sought be really the one pretended.
Whether the secretary or war Will in his
good time submit the statistics In question
to the prohibition people for their informa-
ton We are not able 10 say with confidence.
we have no hesitation in declaring. how
ever, that these statistics should be the
guide for Congress. supposing mat body 10
have at heart the practical efficiency and
the real welfare of the army.