Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-01-17
PROHIBITION AND TEMPERANCE

ANU IbhipbhANSb
Our correspondent who writes in be-
half OF army temperance has taken up
the defense OF the anti-Canteen laws
along lines that are admittedly diff
cult to answer. because the whole tenor
is towards that ideal condition when
all intoxicants shall be no more, and
intemperance will he a thing of his
tory There is no doubt liquor has
done It's share OF harm, ruined lives and
homes and there Is no room for argu-
ment that the majority OF the civilized
world would hail the day when none
consume intoxicants to excess and what
are today known as beverages take a
place on the shelves where liquors are
sold for medicinal purposes only. Such
condition is ideal. The principal
difference of opinion as regards the
army canteen is how best to promote
temperance when practical facts are
considered.
1t is true that Congress has the pow
er to make the sale of liquor to an
American soldier a misdemeanor. Con.
gress can make the most drastic laws
as regards the sale OF liquors, Just as
many States have enacted prohibitory
laws. But there is nothing to suggest
that the result will be different than
that recorded by an officer of our local
army post who reported that the alb
scence of the canteen had largely in
creased the business of the swipe joints
in the vicinity of the hog ranches. Few
claim that soldiers, workmen or any
enc else are benefited by the continu-
GUS use OF liquor. Excessive use OF
soda water Of inferior grades is also
said by many to be very injurious.
Coffee is sometimes put in the same
category and tea as well. The fact re
mains that a very large portion Of SOL
Giers as well as civilians class liquors
us beverage and the chief interest of
the army officers in their support OF
the Canteen is the guarantee Il fur
nshes that If soldiers are TO use liquor
as a beverage they shall have at their
disposal as pure grade as possible.
The real question is whether the can
teen does not do more to practically
solve the Temperance problem in the
army than does prohibition.
The young man who would be led
astray by the jeers Of his fellows In
the army Canteen could hardly be ex-
pected to withstand the request to
join in a drinking bout in a saloon or
swipe joint The protection which a
man finds around Inn in any walk OF
life after he leaves his home Is the
memory and the teaching of the home
He encounters temptations on every
side and II he has not the character or
decided purpose to follow home teach
ing all the canteen or anti-canteen
laws possible to enact could not save
him from being led astray. The aver
age man is not led, he goes of his own
volition.
In the canteen law as well as efforts
tc prohibit, the earnest. honest advo-
Gates are beginning al the wrong end
O. the line to promote temperance
They are fighting against established
customs and in many instances firm
conviction with law, without first hay
ing educated the people to the point
where they are satisfied that liquors of
all character are a menace to the well
fare of mankind. Despite the charges
laid against liquor associations the av-
erage liquor dealer does not strive to
promote his trade by corrupting the
80 g,,ly L.
class Of work is done by the Illicit sell
lers who are responsible for Illicit
brews Of undesirable character sold
in low joints Of most disreputabla
character and to which it is found thai;
soldiers find their way more generally
than in the days OF the canteen. 1t has
not yet been proved that prohibition
promotes temperance in the army OF
any State or Territory Of the Nation.