The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1902-03-28
HE CANTEEN CONTROVERSY.
Law Aboli.hinE the Army
saloon II lnWisc.

Tie journal of lncbriety has re-
cived number OF papers, pamphlets,
md newspaper leiers with editorials
IL the cauie,u controversy. The real
question in dispute is this: Does the
.boliiiOn Of spirits and beer at the
,rmy posts promote temperance and
Increase the soDr.e1y of the soldiers.
+ does it encourage drunkenness and
ncapacity by forcing the soldiers to
procure spirits outside Of gOyernemnt
outroi?
Less than q year ago congress passed
Jaw abOishug the sale OF beer and
,pirits at all government posts. a
lew weeks after this law went into ef-
ect a movement vas started to have
repealed. This has grown IN certain
ecilons into a partisan struggle which
startling in its bitterness and eX-
operations.
The medical men and medical jour
lals who have been drawn into this
ontroyersy iu support Of the repeal
the law are making a record that
Eiil be regretted in the futue. An
ionest difference Of opinion is al
ways recognized, but disingenuous,
Iniair efforts 10 support such opinions
emove the subjee. from all scientific
consideration.
The resolutions offered in the med
cal societies and arguments used to
mstain them are sad examples of dog
natic credulity.
The subject concerning the sale Of
beer and spirits 90 soldiers is a psyche
physical one, which can only be set
died by an appeal to accurately OBJ
,erved facts, not opinions or theories,
cut facts collected from years OF ob-
seryation and rational experience. The
aw is INTENDED TO be practical ex-
Ierimental test and scientific inquiry
hat can only bee settled by time aud
appeal to the facts.
1t is absurd aud presumptuous to
ienounce the Jaw from less than
Gears experience, and it is still more
.tartling TO assume that alcohol is an
Essential in the army or in any other
condition OF life. This opposition im-
plies that the conclusions OF scientific
Investigation which indicate that al
cohol is a narcotic and protoplasmic
poison are untrue. And also that rail-
'oads and other corporations employ
ng men in hazardous work, who de-
mand total abstinence OF their en-
ployes, are impractical enthusiasts and
Franks.
II is the advanced conclusions Of sci
ence, SUSTAINED uy teachings Of bitter
experience, which demand a practical
test in the omy Of the abolition Of all
beer and spirits TO the soldiers. Why
.hould opposition be offered to an ex-
pertinent Of this kind when it is along
the line Of advanced work and has for
its object the improvement Of the men
and efficiency of the service?
Dogmatic opposition would imply
that the army is lower socially than
other bodies Of men, and cannot be
except by keeping the use Of
beer and spirits at the posts and un-
der control. This opposition shows
something radically wrong in the in
telligence, reading and personnel OF its
defenders, and such simple reasons for
It's defense. Scientifically this effort
by law is the only way to settle the
question. Controversy, bitter opposi-
ton, deceptive arguments, and ig-
norant personalities never settle any
question or bring out the true facts.
Medical men and their journals
should be the warmest supporters Of
this law and insist that a fair trial
should be made Of all PROVISIONS, and
hat the question should be settled
above opinions and personal prejudice.
journal Of lnebriety.