New-York tribune., 1901-01-20
WHAT SHALL REPLACE THE CANTEEN,
A POST CHAPLAIN SUGGESTS SUBSTANTIAL.
ENCOURAGEMENT TO TOTAL AB-
STAINERS IN THE RANKS.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: We temperance people are largely respon
sibe for the agftati-n against tn army canteen.
The indications are that II will be abolished. It's
abolition Will radically change the conditions Of
service Dividends from the sale IF beer have be-
come a recognized 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 con-
tentment and comfort In other words, It demon
strates the inadequacy of the ration now provided
by law for the many different conditions and cir
cumstances Of service To deprive company COM
manders of this resource without providing equally
we'll from other sources will work fncalculable
hardshps upon the soldiers. SOW discomfort and
increase desertion and drunkenness. the latter as
a reaction account Of increased distress being
inflicted in the name Of temperance. Unless some
thing is done to make good the loss that viii be
sustained the canteen Will be restored after year
Of hardship and universal dissatisfaction
Officers justly demand, What shall We do? We
worked a scheme that answered the purpose
well. according 10 our views. What will you give
US in return? We must take care Of our men"
1 suggest the following: \ safe estimate OF the
ration value Of the saloon dividend to each COM
pany is so a month, or about IA cents a day
each soldier. The people should ask Congress 10
appropriate that TO be turned over TO COM
pany commanders to be administered in the
manner as other company funds are administered
and as the canteen dividends are administered
courages total abstinence in its army The Amerl-
can Government has never expressed any appre-
ClatiOn of total abstinence as a desirable virtue
in the soldier. Now that the calteen may De
abolished. a very desirable result. step IOrWaId
should be taken by the American people, and
premium should be placed upon total abstinence
from the use of all alcoholic drink To secure 1t
would insure efficient discharge OF the DELI
cate duties of the soldier, especially IN our new
possessions and in Cuba 1t would reduce Invalid
ism. save valuable lives. reduce pensions and re-
turn soldier civil life with double honor ana
fore substantial efforts. il TO me should Dc
made 10 promote this md and induce as many
soldiers as possible abstain These further sHg-
geStionS offered
Total abstinence societies should be encouraged
is done in the British army
Honorable mention mlSht be made mohIu-S OH
muster and pay rolls ,,.
Suitable marks Of distinction might be devised
for total abstainerS TO wear on duty
Preferential eligibility. other things oelnS equal
desirable places. incl ding PLACES where extra
compensation is allowed 90
Preferential eligibility. after discharge, 10 Gov
ernment places in the various services
Special mention in discharge papers
To all soldiers who have a record 1ree from CON
victiOn by military other courts while m ser
vice should be paid bounty of $50 at the time ol
their discharge -. =
now required. \ different soldier is now in de-
mand from what was required hitherto. NO ClLAeII-
ence pay is provided for good soldier. VINO al
ways and under all circumstances does MS Ou1!
faithfully and Well. from that given TO the man
who is the disturbing element in the command. ana
who cannot be depended upon We need some
premium character in our Army
ORVILLE ]. NAVE,
Post Chaplain. United States Army
Fort Mcpherson, Ga. Jan. 12 1901.