The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-03-14
AFTER THE cANTEEN-wHAr7
Suggestive and Important Letter By
Army ChapIain-Further Work
for Temperance People.


the new order of things will be re-
ceived by the soldiers. These ques-
tons have presented themselves to
Rev. Orville j. Nave, post chaplain, U.
S. A., at Fort Mcpherson, Ga, who
writes to the Union Signal. making
numerous suggestions. The points
which he makes will strongly COM
mend themselves to all temperance
people. His letter is as follows:
Dear Editors: l desire to submit
matter for the careful consideration
of your readers. We temperance peo-
pie are largely responsible for the
agitation against the army canteen.
Its abolition viii 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 cantecn
has been that it improves the ration
of the soldier, and conduces to his
contentment and comfort In other
words, il demons rates the made
quacy of the ration now provided by
law for the many different condi-
tions and circumstances of service.
To 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 reaction on account of in
creased distress being inflicted in tho
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 n 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. 4 safe estimate of the ration
value of the saloon dividend to each
company is $50 per month, or about
~ cents per day to each soldier
The people should ask congress to
appropriate that sum to be turned
over to company commanders. to be
administered in the same manner as
other company funds are admins
tered. and as the canteen dividends
are administered.
so. The British government sys-
tematically encourages total absti-
nence in its army. The American
government has never expressed any
appreciation of total abstinence as a
desirable virtue in the soldier. Now
that the canteen may be abolished, a
very desirable result, step forward
should be taken by the American peo-
pie. and a premium placed upon total
abstinence from theus of all alcoholic
drink. To secure it would insure
more efficient discharge of the deli
cate duties of the soldier, especially
in our new possessions and in Cuba.
II would reduce invalidism, save val
turn the soldier to civil life with
double honor, and it would elevate
the character of the service. There
fore, substantial efforts, it seems to
me, should be made to promote this
end and induce as many soldiers as
possible to abstain. G) Total alb
stinence societies should be encour-
aged, as is done in the British army
(2) Honorable mention might be made
monthly on muster and pay rolls.
(3) Suitable marks of distinction
might be devised for total abstain
ers to wear on duty. (4) Preferen
tial eligibility, other things bein
equal, to desirable positions, includ
ing places where extra compensatio
is allowed. (5) Preferential eligibil
ity, after discharge, to government
positions in the various services. (6)
Special mention in discharge papers.
(7) TO all soldiers who have a record
free from conviction of military or
other courts, while in service, to be
paid bounty of $50, at the time OF
their discharge.
"Good soldiers are underpaid. High
CndTdCbtl Is HOW IcQuiItu y ulutT-
ent soldier is now in demand from
what was required hitherto. No diff
ference in pay is provided for good
soldier, who always and under all cir
cumstances does his duty faithfully
and well, from that given to the man
who is the disturbing element in the
command, and who cannot be depend
ed upon. We need some premium on
character in our army. A prize at the
end of enlistment, along with decided
preferences during service, in the
form of special mention, which would
be a handsome testimonial on return
ing home, in the shape of an artistic
diploma, worthy his endeavor, and of
preferential eligibility to government
positions on account and as reward
of his life of total abstinence, along
with special bounty of $50, would
save thousands of young men from
going wrong in their country's serv-
ice. The little it would cost the gov
eminent would bring returns in COM
pound ratio in comparison with the
money spent on obscure creeks and
other public expenditures lavishly
made. At least so it seems to me.
'Yours truly, Orville J. Nave, Post
Chaplain, q. S. Army, Fort McPher,
son, Ca"