The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1901-03-29
AFTER THE CANTEEN-WHAT7
suggestive and Important Letter bv
Army Chaplain-Further Work
for Temperance People.

the new order of things will be r,
eeived by the soldiers. These que.
,ons have presented themselves Z
Rev. Orville J. Nave, post chaplain, [
;. A., at Fort Mcpherson. Ga. VIII
writes to the Union Signal, makin
numerous suggestions. The point
which he makes will strongly com
mend themselves TO all Temperance
people. His letter is as follows:
Dear Editors ! desire 10 submit ;
matter for the careful consideration
of your readers. We temperance peo
pie are largely responsible for tn,
agitation against the army canteen
Its abolition vii radically change the
conditions of service. Dividends from
the sale of beer have become a recog.
nized necessity in company admins
tration. One of the chief arguments
IN favor of continuing the canteen
has been that it improves the ration
of the soldier. and conduces to his
contentment and comfort. I'm other
words, it demonstrates the made
quacy Of the ration now provided bv
law for the many different condi-
tions and circumstances of service
10 deprive company commanders of
this resource without providing
equally well from otner sources will
work incalculable hardships upon
the soldiers, SOW discomfort. and in
crease desertion and drunkenness. the
latter as a reaction on account of in
creased distress being inflicted in the
name of temperance. Unless some
thing is done TO make good the loss
that will be sustained, the canteen
will be restored.
"The soldier asks for bread. a bet
ter ration. The canteen has given 1t.
poisoned by the viper of drink. Off
GERS justly demand: What shall we
do? We worked out a scheme that
answered the purpose WELL according
TO our views; what will you give us
in return? We must take care of
our men, I suggest the following:
81. a safe estimate of the ration
value of the saloon DIVIDEND to each
is $50 per month, or about
lR cents per day to each soldier.
The people should ask congress to
appropriate that sum to be turned
over to company commanders, to be
in the same manner as
other company funds are admins
cred. and as the canteen dividends
ire administered.
80. The British government sys-
ematically encourages total absti-
lence in its army. The American
has never expressed any
of total abstinence as a
desirable virtue in the sol0ier. Now
hat the canteen may be abolished, a
cry desirable result, a step forward
hould be taken by the American peo-
lie, and a premium placed upon total
bstinence from the use of all alcoholic
rink. To secure il would insure
lore efficient discharge of the deli
ate duties of the soldier, especially
I our new possessions and in Cuba.
would reduce inyalidism, save val
able lives, reduce pensions, and re-
lrn the soldier TO civil life with
ouble honor and il would elevate
ne charcter of the service. There
IRE, substantial efforts, It seems to
e, should be made to promote this
nd and induce as many soldiers as
ossible to abstain. (D Total alb
inence societies should be encour- !
yed, as is done in the British army.
} Honorable mention might be made
onthly on muster and pay rolls.
} Suitable marks of distinction J
light be devised for total abstain G
s to wear on duty. (D Preferen- o
Al eligibility. other things being V
ual, to desirable positions, includ- =
g places where extra compensation ~
allowed. (5) Preferential eligibil- n
Y. after discharge, TO government a
sitions in the various services. (6) d
ecial mention in discharge papers. Il
TO all soldiers who have a record
PC from conviction of military or
her courts. while in service. to be Z"
id a bounty of $50, at the time Of
cir discharge.
Good soldiers are underpaid. High 40
aracter is now required. A differ m
{ soldier is now in demand from II
Iat was required hitherto. No diff /
'ence in pay is provided for a good iu
dier. who always and under all cir m
instances does his duty faithfully y
] well, from that given to the man III IN
o is the disturbing eiement in the ~
nmand, and who cannot be depend =, =,
upon. We need some premium on n
lracter in our army. A prize at the r
of enlistment, along with decided
ferences during service, in the
m of special mention. which would lo
a handsome testimonial on return
home. in the shape of an artistic 90
Iona, worthy his endeavor, and of or
ferential eligibility to government he
itions on account and as a reward RI
his life of total abstinence. along ma
h a special bounty of $50, would tu
e thousands of young men from wa
ng wrong in their country's serv- rel
The little II would cost the gov up
ment would bring returns in com ~ -,
nd ratio in comparison with the ms
ley spent on obscure creeks and Fo
er public expenditures lavishly Da
le At least so il seems to me.
Yours truly. Orville J. Nave, Post
plain. U. s. Army. Fort McPher- Of
Ga" ,
More Expensive Than Navy. WI
i. c...,,n,. rnr, nnst. ..oh 49, anl