The Portland daily press., 1901-01-08
THE oANTEEN QUESTION.
To The Editor q The Press,

To the Editor of the Presss
Because OF much Misunderstanding in
regard to the antl-canteen question and
the constant questionings that come to
me. would like through the columns of
the PRESS to make a statement covering
| fairly the pc ints in question.
February, 1899, the following provision
OF law was enacted by the United States
Congress-:
"Sec. IL. That no officer or private
soldier shall be detailed to sell intoxicat-
ing drinks, as a bar tender,or. otherW ise. in
any post exchange or oanteen, nor shall
any other person be required or allowed
to ssli such liquors In any enoampment
or fort or on anv premises used for mill
tary purposes by the United States; and
the Secretary of War is hereby directed to
issue such general order as may be necea-
sary to carry the provisions Of this section
into full force and effect"
The wording seemed plain and salts
factory to the temperance psople, and
those Congressman who voted for 1t, and
they constituted the majority, thought 1t
meant what 1t said. Many of them have
so explained in view of the construction
put upon 1t by Atty. General Griggs to
the effect that it prohibited officers or
prlvats soldiers from selling liquor, but
did not prevent civilians from doing IL.
Notwithstanding the difference of opin-
ion an ong temperance people as to the
power of the attorney general and ths at
titu1e Of the executive branch Of the gov
eminent. the woman's Christian Temper
anoe Union accepted as finRl what Presi-
AGalX - "A
interview last winter viz that the ex-
scutive would have to abide by the con-
struotion given by Attorney General
Griggs, but II the legislative department
would pass law plainly wordsd the
executive department would see that 1t
was carried out.
Accordingly the following was pre-
pared by an able congressman;
"Ssc. 40. The sale OF or dealing in beer,
wine, or Intoxicating liquors by any per-
SON in any post. exchange, or canteen, or
army transport, Or upon any premises
used for military purposes by the United
States. is hereby prohibited. The Sec
rotary OF War is hereby directed to carry
the provisions of this section into full
force and effect
This is known as the Bowersock Bill,
which was reported at the last session OF
Congress by the committee on military
affairs. and with the concurrence OF all
the committee with the exception of MIR.
Parker OF New Jersey, and Mr.. Slayden
of Texas.
Dec. 9th, 1900. this was brought forward
In the House OF Representatives by Con-
gresham Littlefeld of Maine, and he
supported 1t by strong speech, referring
to Gen, kitchener's victorious abstainsIs
giving the satisfactory effects OF army
abstinence In England-giving reliable |
statistics proving the uistaEtrous results
OF the sale Of intoxicapts IN tha United !
States army oaugsens. Mr.. Hay of Var |
ginia and Mr.. Dick Of Ohio spoke strong-
Iy In advocacy OF the bill and against the |
sale of liquor in the cantesn. Mr.. Dick |
declared that the purpose of the bill is
not to destroy the army canteen, not to |
intarfere with It's social features, but to |
keep IL from being converted into a
saloon. He also insisted that the
mothers OF this country who give their |
sons to the army Of tue United States
have the right to petition the American
their boys from undue temptation ought |
not to go unhsedsd. The amendment |
passed this House ~ vote of 100 to So.
We do not know what It's fate VIII be in /
the Senate. where IL is likely to come up |
before long, but we do know there is
great interest manifested In the matter in I
all parts Of the country, and there is
increasing sentiment in favsr
Of protesting the soldiers, who. removed