The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-03
CANTEEN OR DIVE?
1t Ia the Latter Now with which Sol
dierx Are Confronted.

Washington Post.
There are two kinds of witnesses who
testify to the results of the abolition or
the army canteen. One of these Is the man
Cor woman) who advocated the measure
and is now satisfied The canteen no longer
offends his Cor herr sight, and that Is
enough. On the surface of things morality
has triumphed. Stet, as the proofreader
says. The other witness is the man, usual
ly an army officer acting in the line or
duty, who wants to ascertain facts. He has
no theories to exploit, no propositions TO
bolster up, no propaganda to promote. 1t
is for him to inquire into the real condi-
tions, to take the testimony of actual. un-
deniable, eloquent facts. Ii is not for him
to be contented with a glance at the vacant
site of the banshed canteen and roll his
eyes to heaven in complacent thankfulness-
A man of serious affairs, charged with
grave responsibilities and subject TO the
rules of rational behavior, he is not per-
mitted to stop at a survey of the wrecked
canteen; he has to look beyond the pretty
hedge and see what devils work il screens.
We have heard from the witness of the
first mentioned class. He sits among the
ruins of the canteen and sees not foot
beyond. But the other witness has no
dreams to nurse. 1t is not given to him to
feed his conscience on illusions. He is a
man of action, and his are duties which he
is not permitted TO define for himself. The
commission under which he acts is a mortal
thing. He is answerable to an authority at
once tangible and specific. IL he bear false
witness he is held to strict account. He
cannot escape from any mischief he may
create by appealing to the skies. Upon the
whole this witness rs more satisfactory. He
must have common sense and he Is bound
to tell the truth. 1t is vulgar, perhaps,
even irreverent. but il is adapted to the
average intelligence And so we come
around to the testimony of Gen. Fred Fun
ston-a man of theatrical exploits and a
source of gayety to the nations no doubt,
but a witness who Is responsible TO plain
human authority and who cannot demand
absolution from the penalties OF falsehood
! by claiming inspiration. Speaking of the
abolition of the canteen General Funston
says:
| the lowest type have been established just
outside the boundaries of the various reser-
| vations. Their proprietors are in almost
| every case unprincipled scoundrels who
leave nothing undone to debauch the SOL
| diers.
| The soldiers, whose desire for a drink
would ordinarily be satisfied by a few
glasses of beer in the eapt Sss OF the post
| does well If he escapes before he has spent
or gambled away all his money overstayed
4 ms leave, or engaged In altercatlon-
.Since L have had command here there
! has taken place the ruin and degrade ton
| of several noncommssioned officers of long
service and fine record. In short, the re-
| ton, SO far as this department is con-
| cerned. has had no effect except to lower
good GOO Soldiers, and fill the pockets of LOT
of saloonkeepers. gamblers and prosti.
| tutes
| might entertain the thought, not of his
| ability to see the truth. He is not alone
| however. The testimony is cumulative
| We are not dependent upon official state
| ments We have before us the CHASTITY evil
4 dence of facts within our knowledge-facts
not to be disguised or set aside. There are
| the terrible occurrences at Rosslyn-homi-
| eide, riot almost anarchy-the undenable
result of the good work of the reformers
| This at our own doors. And here is a
| special dispatch to the New York World:
SALEM. n. j.. Sept 2-John Ryan last
| night fatally stabbed Cornelius Weddle
| twenty-four years old. soldier, stationed
| at Fort Mott, near here. Ryan and William
Lacey, suspected of being an accomplie
| were arrested and are now in jail
| Ryan was being treated In saloon BY
Lacey when Weddle and two fellow.
soldiers came i'm. Wedde asked for drink
| and words ensued. Ryan struck Weddle
The latter, powerful man over six feet
| in height. dealt his antagonist a stunning
1 DlOW tNydH "uippeu OUT kniIe dnO
| stabbed the soldier in the right breast
! Weddle fell and Ryan ran away. Weddle's
| companions picked him up and carried him
| TO the Jail hospital, where he died I'm fifteer
| minutes. Ryan was arrested at his home
on the outskirts of the city two hours after
| the murder. The knife with which he die
the stabbing was found hidden under hi:
| bed
| 1.-The murdered man enlisted about two
| years ago from Faubush, KY"
This is a lengthy article. The Post does
| NO daa nrOlOnead Rarr 4 n.
subject is important and ii deserves all the
space we give It, Perhaps more.