Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-01-15
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
PEOPLES PULPIT.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Ed. Courier: | read some time ago
an editorial in your paper on the army
canteen which rather surprised me as
to your position. l enclose clipping
from the New York Advocate, part
of a report to the late national conven-
ton of the Anti-Saloon League which
shows up little on the other side. The
article is as follows:
During the convention the subject
of the anti-canteen law was carefully
considered, and in studying the facts
of the case no ground was discovered
for the leagues change of attitude.
There is a persistent effort upon the
part of some to magnify the disadvan-
tages of the present law. 1t is worth
while to note some of the statements
of some of the officers in the field as
quoted in the annual report for 1902
of the inspector general of the army.
Col. Burton of Cuba says of the post
exchanges: "They have been a great
comfort to the troops, Notwithstanding
the adverse criticism of the change
wrought by recent legislation in dis
pensing with the sale of beer" Major
Tutherly, Columbia, says: II think it
is being demonstrated that if the pres
ent exchange regulations are carried
out with the same business energy
that was exercised when the sale of
beer was authorized, the exchange will
serve better purpose than the old
regulation provided. Not only should
the sale of intoxicants not be permit
ed on government reservations and
transports, but also gambling, and I
think that paragraph 672, army regu-
bursting officers should be strictly en-
forced" Major Reynolds, Dakota,
says: II am inclined to the opinion
that the abolition of the beer feature
in post exchanges has not materially
Increased the number of trials by
courts nor called for other disciplinary
measures. AS for the post exchanges,
they are fulfilling their purpose and
making money" AS is generally
known, Lieutenant General Miles is
favorable to the present law, and Brig
adler General Aaron S. Daggett is one
of it's most jealous advocates. To
these facts the attention Of the con-
vention was directed, as well as to the
provision made by congress at the last
session for the establishment and
equipment at all army posts of places
for the entertainment of the men. An
appropriation of 100000 was made for
this purpose. and another appropria-
ton of a like amount will be asked at
this session. This shows the real and
intelligent interest taken in the enlist
ed men by those who advocate the re-
tention of the presentslaw. 1t is clear
that the effect of any law depends up
on the method of its administration,
and when upon the part of the admin
istrators there is lack of sympathy
with the ends sought, it is easy to see
how these ends may be defeated. 1t
| is also clear that time must be given
for the satisfactory test of laws, how
ever salutary in themselves, and no
| impartial observer can claim that the
law has fair trial
The convention, in view of all the
facts, reaffirmed its position, and sent
out plea to all friends of temper
ance throughout the country asking
their active cooperation in protesting
against a change of the existing law
at the present session of congress.
To the charge that this anti-canteen
law encourages intemperance it
seems sufficient answer that the
liquor men of the country are its op-
ponents. The convention also took
action requesting the enemies of the
saloon in the several states to secure
| legislation abolishing saloons within
three miles of army posts and reser-
vations. This resolution was inspired
by one of the temperance-loving Off
GERS of the army.
Upon the whole, the tone OF the
convention was most hopeful. In Yer.
mont the situation causes some meas
ure of anxiety, but the good people OF
that state have it in their power to
prevent injury to the cause. In Ohio
there has been a notable advance in
public sentiment against the saloon
The same is measurably true in many
other states. In Maryland the league
has won praise from legislators an6
other public men because of it's effect
i've work. Within few days Judge Hen
derson of Montgomery county, Md, ii
pronouncing sentence against viola
tors of the liquor laws of the county
took occasion publicly to thank the
| league for its work in closing some
4 of the resorts which have for SO long
disgraced the state. The judge fur
.ther said: 81 wish to suggest that in
the future the Anti-Saloon League
1 turn some of its attention to the ac-
ton of the public officials of the coun,
ty. One of the most desirable things
/ that could be accomplished in the en-
| forcement of the laws of this state
would be the indictment of some OF
tho off cia1c who refuse To enforce the
law"
Respectfully,
Charles e. Coggeshell,
Plainfeld, Iowa