St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-05-29
The Army Canteen,

AS the army pay days come and 90 the
canteen question is brought to the front
and discussed over and over again. This
month clergyman set the ball rolling
by personally investigating the workings
OF the new law in a western fort. When
ne sought to present the results OF his in.
vestigation at Baptist ministers meet.
ing in Chicago they refused to hear it,
and by an overwhelming vote repudi.
ated his views on the canteen question.
And the president of the national W. c.
I. U. has expressed herself as being per-
tectly satisfied with the workings of the
law. But the army officers, who have
other than sentimental dealings with
the question, are not so well pleased.
Since the last paw day the same story
comes from nearly all the army posts in
the country, especially those located in
the vicinity of large cities, telling of in.
creased assertions, more intoxication
and more crime. Indeed, it is altogether
probable that when Congress assemblies
the old plan will be adopted and the
testimony of army officers, based on
actual experience with the men, followed
instead of lengthy petitions. The con-
clusion that the western clergyman ar
rived at is the same as that of Bishop
Potter's assistant ill his tour of the
Philippines, and many other fair-fnnded
persons. The difficulty lies in the fact
that the people do not understand the
private soldier and his life and surround.
ings. His standing in the public mind is
regulated by certain conditions. In time
OF war he is a hero, and receives far more
silly praise than he cares for, or often
deserves. In time OF peace he is consider
ed by the majority as something akin to
a thug, and one generally to be avoid
ed. What he really is, taking the army
as a whole, is a good, live, average
young man, just the same as men of his
own age outside the army, no better and
no worse. His life is not an exciting one
in peaceful times; his garrison duty is a
mere routine, and the only enjoyment he
gets out of life must come from his sur
roundings. One Of the principal sources
OF his enjoyment was, until six months
ago, the post canteen. He thoroughly
enjoyed the good fellowship of the place,
and rarely abused its privileges. From
the post canteen where only beer was
served he is now let loose upon the
saloon where the vilest liquors are sold.
SO he goes to the saloon for his liquor,
and If he wants it he will get it, for that
spirit OF determination within him is the
same that all applaud when he runs mp
some San Juan hill the face of shower
OF bullets. Once outside the restraint,
like many Others who are not soldiers,
he is apt to go, as Kipling puts it, Large
Bit" Hence the crowded police sta.
tons and numerous absences without
leave" that post commanders are so
bitterly complaining about late.
Ofcourse it would be a good thing if
soldiers did not care for beer, but that
time has not come yet. The majority of
them want it and if they cannot get it
they will buy cheap whiskey or poisonous
native drinks. Experience has taught
the war department that the post ex-
change is the best method of dealing
with the matter, for, to quote Kipling
again, Tommy Atkins says,
AN if sometimes our conduct isn't all
your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow
into plaster saints"