Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1905-01-11

versy is involved in the recent ac-
ton Of the Woman's Army and Navy
League, says the Washington %. Cl
Post of Dec. 9th. The resolution
adopted at the last meeting of the
league sufficiently explains the con-
templated movement;
Whereas through a misapplled
zeal and a lack of appreciation and
understanding as to the reasons why
canteens or post exchanges were
originally established at army posts,
as well as misconception of the
manner Of conducting the sales Of
beer; and whereas three years test
forbiddlng the sale of beer or light
wines on any government reservation
has proven detrimental rather than
beneficial to the enlisted men; and
whereas the Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union has influenced the
Congress of the United States to
abolish the canteen by the act of Feb
ruary q 1901, be 1t here
Resolved, That the women of the
Woman's Army and Navy League,
whose object has been for seventeen
years to work for the general welfare,
the contentment, and amusement Of
our soldiers and sailors, shall present
at the next session of Congress a petit
ton urging that the canteen or post
exchange, with the same conditions as
to a restricted sale of beer and light
wines as existed prior to February 2,
1901, be restored at an early date"
The fact that this resolution passed
without single dissenting voice con-
tains all the comment needed as re-
CARDS one aspect Of the matter, but it
must be considered also that this
league is composed of women imme-
diately connected with the military
service and, therefore, sincerely inter-
ested in its welfare. The wives, sis
ters daughters, etc, OF army and navy
officers are in far better position to
speak with knowledge and authority
than women who discuss the canteen
only in a theoretical way These lat
ter no doubt sincerely believe that the
abolition of the canteen removes
temptation from our soldiers and sail
ors, thereby elevating their morals,
Improving their health, and generally
exalting the service. They have sought
and, for the moment, achieved this
consummation, and without inquiring
into the practical results OF the sup
posed reform, they tell themselves
that their work is good and must be
perpetuated. The women of the
league, however, see what the others
cannot see The evil fruits of the
rum shop, the dance house, the vicious
deadfalls that have sprung up on the
ruin of the canteen are before them
hourly. They know that the existing
law has not checked the consumption
of liquor by the men, but has, on the
contrary, increased it. The effect Of
the law has been, simply, to release
the practice from rational control and
endow it with a license. There was
beer drinking in the canteen, but 1t
was subject to official observation and
susceptible of restraint The drink
ing outside of the canteen is no long
er limited either as to quality or guam
tity. What was once convivial recrea-
ton, kept within bounds of decency,
is now an unbridled orgIe, a brutal
revel, ending much too often in dis
ease and crime. The facts are notori-
Gus. Any one who really wishes the
material good Of the soldiers and sail
ors and is willing to seek that good
by practicable methods, can have the
last doubt removed by consulting the
official record.
It will be interesting to watch the
course of Congress when the issue
shall have been fairly joined Nearly
four years ago, the canteen law was
repealed at the instance Of certain
well-meaning persons. Since then
every one really interested In the well
fare of the men and the morale of the
service interested, we mean, to the
extent of ascertaining the practical
results of the change-has come to
realize that the reform In question OPP
crates a curse rather than blessing.
There is Infinitely more drunkenness.
among the men than there was be-
fore, while as for degradation. disease,
INSTRUMENTATION, and general immoral
ity, these have multiplied incidentally.
The truth is fragrant. It cannot be de-
MED or explained away. Everybody in
position to know admits It with sor-
row but without reservation. The
league, therefore, will approach Com
gress armed with absolute informa-
ton and inspired by intelligence as
well as sympathy. The organization
As composed Of women whose SINGER
ity is as unquestionable as their
knowledge is authoritative. Thus We
shall soon know whether Congress Is
open to reason and common sense or
prefers the company Of It's now un-
masked delusions
a match cutting maehIne is an auto.