Washington sentinel., 1901-06-01
PROHIBITIONISTS
DO not want the Truth about the
Failure or Canteen Closing.

DO not want the Truth about the
Failure or Canteen Closing.
Ever since the passage OF the
Canteen law, which has done so
much to demoralize the soldier,
impair military discipline and fur
nish a fruitful source OF scandal
and disorder at army posts, the
press of the country has been un
ceasirg in laying bare the facts and
enlightsning the people upon the
evils and dangers Of the new order
OF things.
Fort Sheridan, near Chicago,
because OF the large number oil
men stationed there and its prox.
unity to a great city which pecu
liarly fitted it for an experiment
such as was involved in the sub.
stitution OF prohibition Tor the
temperance canteen, has been a
storm center, and the experiences
there obtained should OF them
selves alone be sufficient to inAu-
ence Congressional opinion uniav-
orably towards a continuance OF
the present system. Prohibition
lists know this, and they have EN-
ploVed every means, fair and un-
fair, to stiAe the rising feeling of
indignation in the public mind
against those who were instrument
Eal in the abolition OF the canteen.
The NezV Voiee, Of Chicago, has
led in She campaign of vitupera.
tion, and in the face OF the most
convincing proof OF its failure has
advocated a continuance OF this
odious law with avehemence 10
justify almost the belief that 1t
prefers a soldier drunk and dis
graced to one sober and reputable,
or would, rather than confess fail
ure of its pet scheme TO advance
the cause OF prohibition. 1t has
temporarily ceased advertising and
locating the prostitutes and broth
els of Manila in order to focus its
efforts for the degradation Of the
soldier at home. Ministers of the
gospel, army officers, civilians and
soldiers are mercilessly berated if
they dare, in upholding truth and
decency and temperance and NOR
atty, to dispute its assertions.
Some time ago . committee Of
ministers were sent to Highwood,
in the neighborhood Of Fort Sher-
idan, to inquire into the truth of
the riotous scenes said to be OF
frequent occurrence as result OF
canteen closing, and, Of course, in
accordance with expectations, re-
ported everything working nicely.
One among them, however, a
Rev. Mr.. Dexter, was not satisfied,
it is said because the investigation
was made at time when induce
ments to disorder were missing
either before or after pay day.
when the men were without money
and therefore could not dissipate.
Mr.. Dexter visited Highwood, &C
companied by friend, on pay day,
and the scenes he witnessed con.
WINGED him that return TO the old
system was demanded, and he SO
publicly stated.
Now note WI at followed. Mr.
Dex ter was a sufficiently respon.
sible and reputable man TO bt
named on the original committee
and his opinion was welcome al
long as it was supposed to be in
imical to the canteen. But when
in the light OF subsequent events
as an honest man, he was impellet
to change his former views and L
uphold the War Department il
seeking return to the old system
and offered at meeting of fellow
clergYmen to explain his reason
therefor, he is refused a hearing
characterized as an "isolated, un
authorized and Insignificant indi
vidual" and denounced as "ai
ag ent oil the Government saloon.
Again, Rev. w, J. Dalton,
Catholic clergyman recently sta
toned at Detroit, protested in
letter to the Secretary OF Wa
against the anti.canteen law, bas
ing his protest upon personal OF
servation and knowledge OF cond
tions before and since the passag
Of the law and acquired in his C;