The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-10-07

Fort Riley School and other institu-
tions, as well as at universities and col
leges, as now provided by law; also in
place of the large number who are
Withdrawn from duty with their proper
commands for recruiting service or by
detail on other detached duty There
are at this date in this department
alone forty-four officers absent on de-
tached service and thirteen absent with
leave, besides eight Withdrawn from
duty by reason of Sickness total of
20 per cent.
1.-The natural flow of promotion con-
templdted by law would be unimpeded
by the distinguished list above suggest
ed. There would be no encouragement
to officers of long and meritorious serv-
ice by being overslaughed by juniors,
and at the same time ii would afford
an opportunity of rewarding in appro-
pirate manner deserving officers of low
er rank"
Defends the Army Canteen.
Gen. Baldwin makes vigorous de-
Tense of the army canteen. In chap
ter on that subject he says:
From a somewhat extensive obser-
walton as inspector general and as
commander of troops. l have been
deeply impressed by the very marked
difference in discipline and general con-
tentment among the enlisted men since
the abolition of the canteen feature
of the post exchange. If men are un-
able to get a glass of beer in a decent
and orderly manner in the garrison,
they will resort to the vile brothels
which cluster around the borders of
the reservation, where they drink all
manner of alcoholic beverages and
often sink into debauchery and ruin"
He quotes from the report of Gen.
Funston. who preceded him in COM
mand of the Department of the Colo
RADIO. to show that since the abolition
of the canteen, saloons OF the lowest
type have been established just out
side the boundaries of the various res
ervations, with disastrous results.
The recent legislation by Congress on
this question" said Gen. Funston, so
far as this department Is concerned,
has had no effect except to lower the
discipline of the army, ruin scores of
good soldiers and fill the pockets of
a lot of saloon keepers, gamblers and
prostitutes"
Gen. Baldwin says that the expert
ence of the past year has demonstrat-
ed the wisdom of these remarks, and
he earnestly recommends that the sale
of beer and light wine, under proper
restrictions, be again authorized In the
post exchange.
Post Guard House.
In the opinion of the inspector gem
eral the present system of combining
military convicts in post guard houses
is demoraliZing in many respects. 1t
necessitates placing recruits, confined
for military offenses, with men of long
guard house records and with crini-
nails. Gen. Baldwin says that the pres
ent system has never ,been satisfac-
tory, and for long-term men return
to the military prison at Fort Leaven-
worth or other similar institution is
commended to careful consideration.
According to Judge Advocate Dunn
the result most to be feared from
overcrowding of prisoners iE that the
few vicious characters may debauch
young men, and because the prisoners
cannot be given regular employment
or taught useful trades they are turn
ed out worse men at the end of their
terms of confinement than they were
when they were first imprisoned. Gen.
Baldwin recommends the construction
of larger guard houses at posts in his
department, unless the old military
prison at Fort Leavenworth again
becomes available for the confinement
Of general prisoners. He says new
guard houses are needed at Fort ID. A.
Russell and at Fort Douglas. Mean
while efforts are being made by miti-
CATION and remission of confinements,
so far as compatible with the mainte-
nance of discipline, to-relieve the ex-
isting congestion.
Chief Paymaster Comegys advocates
a return to the old system of having
the paymasters visit the troops and
make payments in person.
A Number of Recomme
Gen. Baldwin makes a number of
recommendations, including a return to
the five-year enlistment period, or at
least that the second and subsequent
be for that period; that
the strength of regimental bands be
increased to thirty or thirty-five men,
on the ground that patriotic airs play
ed by good band furnish an inspira-
ton which nothing else can impart
and contribute In a marked degree to
the esprit de corps of a command:
that provision be made for the aban-
Comment of Fort Grant, Ariz. utiliz-
ing it only as a subpost for one troop
OF cavalry.
Gen. Baldwin recommends the aboli-
ton of the present system of awards
Of medals to successful competitors
IN small arms practice and the sub
of an increase in the soldiers
pay "If the increase is a fair
says he, 1.-The interest in
these competitions will be greater The
reward of a medal has not lasting
effect 1t may mean a great deal to
he soldier for probably the first six
months after procuring the same,
whereas the monthly increase in pay
will not only be lasting. but also a J