The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-02-10
HIS VIEW OF
CANTEEN
SYSTEM
Rough Rider Rhoades of Okla
homa on the Question.
WHAT He HAS DISCOVERED
And Opinions Among Officers
He Has Elected.
WHAT He HAS DISCOVERED

tact with the army for the last two and
a half years I viii give you the results
OF my observation as wen as the views
Of a number of different officers and
men 1 have discussed the question with.
The first six months on the island
was stationed at Camp Columbia, my
tent being pitched upon neutral ground
between the Second Illinois and the First
North Carolina regiments Of volunteers.
The eanteen of the Second was within
fifty feet Of my quarters. 1t was
half tent half frame building Of 100 feet
in length with a bar the fun length
on which was fastened eight machines
for pulling corks. On pay day there was
a man at each machine and apparently
they could not do the work fast enough
for the crowd in front surged and pushed
and yelled and cursed, each trying to get
to the bar TO grasp one of the coveted
bottles. The crowd was usually augment
ed by large numbers from the one Hun
bred and Sixty-frst Indiana. who had
no canteen. and also quite number
from the First North Carolina. but these
latter. being mostly from the moonshine
districts Of North Carolina, thought beer
too mild, wanting something strong
enough to make their toes tingle as it
went down. I was Wen acquainted with
all the officers Of the Second Illinois,
and as I was in charge of all affairs OF
the Chicago Record and had two large
tents well supplied With late literature
and furnished with chairs and tables,
etc, so that it in time became really a
If or
ing discussions would take place. and
frequently the canteen question was he
subject
Some claimed that it was good thing
as it prevented the men from getting
something stronger, while others pointed
out that as no men were allowed to leave
camp and everything brought into camp
was inspected that nothing stronger could
be obtained
Those opposed to It pointed to the One
Hundred and Sixty-first Indiana as an
example, saying that their only means
Of getting beer was to visit the Illinois
canteen, and while it was true that some
Of them did come. it was only a small
percentage of the whole
Upon one point they all agreed, and
to the variety and quality Of the mems
rations, especially giving the commissary
sergeant a chance to buy cigars. syrups
and fruits, so much needed TO counteract
the effects OF a heavy diet of beef. beans
and bread. That same thing has been
one Of the strongest arguments in favor
Of the canteen. and over which those
opposed here never met and answered
satisfactorily
Being frequently at headquarters Of the
One Hundred and Sixty-frst Indiana I
asked many Of its officers their opinion.
and they mostly claimed that the reel-
ment was better off without It, pointing
to the small number Of men confined in
the guard house and pointing out that
most Of those with guard house records
were among those who most frequently
went to the neighboring regiments where
beer was sold. They also all agreed that
the majority OF the men. having no place
to spend their money. left It on deposit
with the paymaster and would receive
it in a lump when discharged from SER
vice.
I asked II they did not miss the profits
derived from that oource and If tt did
not effect the mems health to be con-
fined to strictly government ration.
They admitted the insufHciency OF the
rations. but said they had overcome #
by voluntary contribution ~ 81 monthly
from each man to the mess fund
Among the officers Of the regular army
] found that to unit they favored the
oanteen. claiming it was a help 20 good
1fCcfn1fva ~ IN. WOW ,--.-ra .7sr
being able 70 get what they wanted AZ
the post were not tempted 20 70 away
against orders for IT, The moral side of
the question has no interest % them AS
rule they look upon soldier as ma
chine and IN Inferior being in too
many cases they treat him IKE a dog
They claim tbat the quicker man gets
rid ~ his money after payday The Set
ter for The service. and the cantesn helps
them TO SPEND it. Tor TIRE same reason
gambling is not even winked at hat si-
lowed wide open 50 thar many ~ the
men haven't q cert within an hour az
ter receiving their months pay
In reply ~ question Gs - whether
a proper interest bv the of1cers to Pho
mons welfare w0ulf not cause many ~
them n deposit their money ul-h fhs
pevmasfer was tod fhat 1cuhtfer= e
wou,5. hat that waw'f what tae~ haf
commissions for, thar the chaHlan fgtv
Has To atten5 ~ trat. me- they
Next 7 interviewed EeTrai rsrzea-ts.
SEINE ~ wm Bad SERVED before fha
5ars ~ the canteen- Thev aU avreei
II ore thinr-that thefr fsafa was se.-
ter zugpliaB during ga enivtsnce hs 80
ar-a