The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-28
Uhe l(crald and Neus
TO REINSTATE CANTEEN.
Since Its Adjustment Saloons Have
ElouriShed at Every Post and Drunk
enneSS Has Increased.

Inc WSr OSpaIGuouI III WoSuIuS
ton is in constant receipt of data
concerning the canteen question and
the effect of it's abolition upon the
army. Apropos OF this a statement
is made at the war department that
only such information as has been
contained in the reports of army Of
fcers upon the subject has been
given to the public, and it is
denied that any effort has been
made to influence public opinion on
the matter.
1t is said at the department that
the recommendations of the adju-
tant general in his annual report
were based upon the information
contained in these reports. 1t is
pointed out that the existence of
something like 1,400 saloons in the
vicinity of the army posts is shown
by the reports received at the de-
partment; $50 to 800 of which are
said to have opened since the closing
of the canteen. This further state
ment is made at the department:
''The majority of posts have report
ed that drunkenness and court-mar-
tials for drunkenness have increased;
that desertion and absence without
leave has increased; that the effect
of the closing Of the canteen upon
the morality, discipline and health
Of the troops has been bad, and,
while many post commanders are,
IN consequence of frequent changes
of garrison and from the absence of
correct data upon which to base
comparisons, unable to report as to
the degree of detrimeDt created by
the closing of the canteeH, it can be
stated as an absolute fact that in no
single csse has a post commando
expressed al opinion that the effect
of the abolition of the sale of beer
in the army has resulted in improved
conditions"
With reference to the reports from
the Philippines 9 statement has been
made epitomizing the annual report
of Brig. Gen. Sanger, inspector gen,
eral of the division Of the Philip
pines. After narrating the evil ef-
fects upon the human system of the
native liquors the statement con.
tinues:
"Te remedy these conditions the
post exchange, at which light beer
was sold, vas exercising a wholesome
influence, and Gen. Sanger believes
that the exchange should be again
made a possibility by removing all
restrictions on the sale of beer and
light wines.
"To the fear, so often expressed
by the opponents of the canteen sys-
tenn, that the sale of beer would
initiate, or induce habits of intern
persnce, Gen. Sanger shows, from
q careful census of the 342 COM
panies of troops in the Philip
pine Islands, that in go companies
every enlisted man used vinous,
malt or spurious liquors at date of
enlistment; in $50 companies, be
tween 80 and 100 per cent; in So
companies, between 80 snd 80 per
cent; in rs companies, between 70
sne % per cent and 20 companies
between 80 and 70 per. cent. I'm
fortunately quite a number of men
hsbitually drink TO excess, and as
this number will probably increase
if the men are obliged, as now, to
resort to native liquors in order to
satisfy what to many of them is q
perfectly natural craving, the result
will be most d~eplorsble. Gen San
ger concludes with the remark that
it is hardly probable, in view of this
information, that congress shall
continue the prohibition against
the csnteen. when it is evident that
the sale of beer would be a precsu-
tion against the pernicious habits
above stated and their fatal and dis
astrous results"