Indianapolis Journal, Volume 52, Number 341, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 December 1902 — Page 3

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL. SUNDAY. DECEMBER 7, 1902. 3 ! MARRIAGES IN THE ARMY 9 O lOOOPJDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooo o o mm WHY (JWERAL COHIIIN AXD OTIIEUS DISCO 1'TE X A3 CK THEM. TT.! Enrly and Improvident One, a 31 ny Such Unions Are, Are an Evil Pathetic Instance.

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Washington Letter In New York Tost. The spectacle of a venerable senator traveling all the way from New England to Washington during recess to Intercede for a change of detail for a young married army officer who had been ordered to the Philippines, has directed attention to a passage In the adjutant general's latest report which has excited more comment than any official utterance hereabouts In years. This was the paragraph discountenancing early and Improvident marriages among subalterns In the army. General Corbin has been accused on all sides of objecting to marriage as an Institution when the military service 13 to be affected by it. As a matter of fact, he has always expressed himself as believing that marriage was a food thing for an officer who realites in advance the responsibilities attaching to such a change of state, and whosa own salary or private means, or the dowar of his intended bride, is sufficient to Justify it. What he does object to, and what other practical men in the higher military walks object to as strongly as he, is the sort of complication typified by the New England case Just mentioned. The circumstances are pathetic The young man, with nothing to depend on for a livelihood except his aalary of $115.07 a month, married a young woman as poor as he, who expects to become a mother in-a few months, and who 13 In a very overwrought nervous condition. If he goes to the opposite end of the earth, he leaves her without a home-roof over her head, as they feel unable, on their small income, to rent a dwelling. In this rituatlon, and realizing the distress which his wife would suffer If any Interruption occurred ta the receipt of his monthly stipend, he is almost beside himself at the thought of going away. It has been hard enough for them to get along on his salary while together; apart. It would cost them more to live, even If he remained at some out-of-the-way post in this country; and when it is remembered that the most expensive place of residence under the Jurisdiction of the United States is the Philippine archipelago, the chances are that the husband will be able to spare the wife very little indeed, and may have to run into debt In order to do that. WEST POINT ENTANGLEMENTS. It Is estimated that three-quarters of the mall received at the War Department, dealing with the personal affairs of officers, has for its burden such cases as this, modified by individual conditions. A pretty large element In th. category of inexpedient matrimony comes through the glitter of the commencement exercises at West Point. For the better part of four years the young men there have been kept In almost monastic seclusion. Their knowledge of the ways of womankind Is as limited as It could very well be, and in the glamour of the closing hours, with music and dancing, moonlight walks and brilliant costumes, many of the cadets become Involved in love affairs without the slightest thought of the inevitable sequel. A yVar or two later the department hears from part of these with some sorry story. Perhaps the young people have drifted apart, not having known their own minds when they plunged into their hasty union; and now. In order to hide their troubles from the world, the husband wishes to change his station to some place where there are no "married quarters." so that the wfe will have an outward excuse for going back to her parental home. Or money is scarce, and they want to go to some remote garrison, where no expenditures will be expected of them. Or inspection confirms the complaint made by a commandant that such-and-such a young officer Is always shabby and of unsoldlerly appearance, and quiet Inquiry brings out the fact that, as both wife and husband cannot wear gaudy plumage on small pay, the wife took precedence as became her sex. Or, vastly worse, the young officer, as Ignorant of practical business as he formerly was of matrimony, has been borrowing right and left from his comrades until he Is distracted in mind and does not know which way to turn. It Is at this stage that the temptation to duplicate pay accounts becomes strong; and many a well-meaning young fellow, finding It Impossible to keep two mouths fed and two bodies clad on one allowance, takes his chance on a trick

which he knows would doom him to dls

honor if found out, but whose effect he

hopes to intercept before it reaches the

verge of exposure. It is the old story of

tne Dan teuer, wno borrows a trifle from the vault with the full expectation of paying it back before the examiner arrives. Here and there such an attempt may succeed; at other tlnws It falls, and then come scandal and dishonor. DEBTS BECOME A BURDEN. Old officers familiar with army conditions say that It would surprise the public to know how many of the graduates of West Point leave the Institution from $230 to $330 In debt to the tailor. This must on a second lieutenant's pay be worked cut by slow degrees. If meanwhile the newly made officer has contracted an ill considered marriage he finds himself obligated to the support of one or perhaps two persons besides himself consuming and not producing additionsand the percentage of his possible savings is shaved down to the narrowest limit. For a. while he can endure the extra burden without complaint, but when mail after mall brings dunning letters, sometimes accompanied by threats of a report to the department, the thing begins to wear on his nerves; and no officer, old or young, whose mind is harrassed with cares and his nights made sleepless with wondering how he is going to work out of private troubles can do full Justice to the exacting duties demanded of him by the government Probably the departmental authorities would not feel so strongly on this point if the attention they owe to other and larger Interests were not diverted so much of the time to the individual misfortunes of Junior officers. Such cases excite the sympathy of senators and representatives, who perhaps remember early struggles of their own. They do not pause to reflect that an army officer when he seeks his commission abandons the liberty he would have enjoyed as a civilian and consecrates himaclf to a life profession hedged about with numberless limitations. The congressman whose heart Is stirred descends upon the department full of faith that persuasion and appeal will do what logic cannot; and the longer the secretary of war or the adjutant general holds out the greater the waste of public time on both sides The present move against rash matrimony is a move In the direction of governmental economy and good administration not le than of military discipline. Nothing marks more clearly the difference between army and navy than this matter of the obtrusion of the private and domestic affairs of Individual officers unon the attention of the department. Armv officers who got their drill in tho old. haril school, and at a time when military service ?0t f;irdd hy anybody as a picnic, criticise their brethren with severe comparisons. No naval officer, they say. seem fo young or Inexperienced In life as tö Ignore the fact that when he dons hi epaulets he bows the same pair of shoulders to all the responsibilities which go with the uniform. It is a very uncommon thing Indeed to hear In the navy of such a eae as that which furnished a text for thl$ lines On the other hand, it Is not at all rare to see a naval officer returning from VUrv0fLdlstRnt duty tn KreVt a cKld whom he has never seen, though it has already reached with both tongue and feet a

nri,uiiaiic us;r. very remote intervals one hears of a naval subaltern ouarrellng with his billet or sending a great man fn beg him off fiom thr-o'J,' ,i

Reparation from his family. Roth the offl-re-and his wife seem to face all the possibilities frankly when they decide to link their fortunes. And the start that this gives them in their new career, while It is not infallible as a preventive. Ih one of the best assurances of the husband s abilltv to keep out of trouble. 9 lu

C. W. KRIEL. English Block. Wholesale. Main Cigar Stoii. ICS Monument xiace.

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CHILD'S MORRIS CHAIR

This Christmas store is crowded to the roof with a particularly bright collection of pretty and useful articles suitable for gifts. Not the gifts to last but a day, but dainty, durable things that will last for years. Our patterns are always beautiful, our styles always correct. Our goods must give long service; they're guaranteed. "IF IT COMES FROM D. SOMMERS & CO. IT WILL WEAR.."

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MORRIS CHAIR

(Like cut.) Nicely upholstered seat ajnd' back; wide arms, adjustable back, solid oak. Like the full-size chair in design and careful workmanship, worth $3.00, OUR PRICE

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(Like cut.) A beauty In all respects. It Is made and finished In the best of manner. Has broad arms, twisted posts, spring seat. Rich, reversible cushions; worth $16.00, OUR PRICE

MORRIS CHAIR (Like cut.) A very handsomely carved chair, that combines grace and comfort; solid golden oak, piano polished; a large variety of cushions; worth $12.00, OUR PRICE

Hot Blast Furnace (Lfke cut.) A stove that will burn coal, slack, gas, wood, coke or any fuel; will hold fire 24 hours; easy to regulate .and operate; handsome In appearance; worth 515.00, OUR PRICE

ROCKER

(Like cut.) A very good medium-priced rocker. Effective In design and thoroughly comfortable and substantial; wide arms and seat; worth JC.50, OUR PRICE

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BOOKCASE

(Like cut.) A choice, new design; It is made of highly polished golden oak; has large patterned mirror; the shelves are adjustable; the desk Is flitted with every convenience; worth $19.00, OUR PRICE

TOILET TABLE (Like cut.) This is a charming bedroom article. In style it is the height of grace, elegance and refinement; quartered oak anu mahogany finish, piano polished; worth $12.00. OUR TRICE

DRESSER (Like cut.) The patterned mirror is a French plate of extra size and beauty. It is fitted in a hand-carved frame. The drawers are serpentine-shaped; worth $40, OUR PRICE

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CHIFFONIER (Like cut.) Well made and finished; patterned tilting mirror; easy-working drawers, large and roomy, each flitted with lock and key. A very tasteful design; worth $12.00, OUR PRICE

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CENTER TABLE (Like cut.) This is only one pattern out of one hundred and fifty that we show. It is is made of golden, quartered oak or mahogany. Rope twisted legs; piano polished; worth $7.00. OUR PRICE

BOOKCASE (Like cut.) A substantial, highly finished and refined piece of furniture. It has a large case for books and the desk is fitted with stationery racks; worth $13.00, OUR PRICE

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B00KCAS1

(Like cut.) This handsome case is made of elegantly carved and polished quartered golden oak; pretty French beveled mirror, roomy desk and case; worth $32.00, OUR PRICE

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ROCKER

(Like cut.) This is a fine, large rocker, beautiful in Its simplicity of design and high-class in construction and finish; golden oak or mahogany; worth $7.00, OUR PRICE

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MANTEL FOLDING BED

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ROCKER

(Like cut.) A parlor rocker of very novel design and artistic in outline; the carving is cut In bold relief; piano polished, oak and mahogany; worth $14.00, OUR PRICE

ROMAN SEAT (Like cut.) A copy of one of the old masters. The carving is executed with telling effect; wide seat, comfortable back and arms; finished in golden, flemish and weathered oak and mahogany; worth $18.00, OUR PRICE

ROCKERS

(Like cut.) Built for comfort and long wear, wide arms and back; shaped ssat; highly finished; worth $3.75, OUR PRICE

STEEL RANGE (Like cut.) Made of cold rolled steel, handsomely finished in aluminum; has heavy linings, large oven, wide firepot: a splendid baker; worth $22.00, OUR PRICE

MORRIS CHAIR (Like cut.) Highly finished frame, easy, adjustable back, reversible cushions, deeply tufted; wide arms, a splendid chair for little money; worth $7.00, OUR PRICE

(Like cut) A bed that can be placed in the living room or parlor without offending good taste. Solid golden oak. highly finished, elaborately carved, large mirror; worth $23.00, OUR PRICE

SIDEBOARD

(Like cut.) A massive, beautifully carved sideboard. The drawers are serpentineshaped; the mirror is large and handsomely beveled; solid, golden oak; worth $22 00, OUR PRICE

LAMP

(Like cut.) Just one pattern out of our tremend-. ous stock; handsomely hand-decorated globe; large oil fount; worth $3.50, OUR PRICE

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PARLOR SUITE

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(Like cut.) Different from the usual style. The backs are handsomely scrolled, carved and polished. The seats are carefully upholstered in a variety of damask and tapestry; worth $32.00. OUR PRICE

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CHINA CLOSET

(Like cut.) A china closet that possesses all utility and elegance; highly polished, bent glass sides; richly carved ornamentation; worth $20.00, OUR TRICE

LEATHER ROCKER (Like cut.) Buffed leather, deeply tufted, heavy fringe, will add much beauty and comfort to any room; worth $43.00, OUR PRICE

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WARDROBE

(Like cut.) A pattern that Ftrongly commends Itself. Plenty of room for clothing. It is highly polished and neatly crnamented; golden oak; worth $11.00, OUR PRICE

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STEEL RANGE (Like cut.) A perfect baker and cooker, asbestos-lined protected oven top, large oven and warmlrg closet, elaborately nickeled, changeable top plate; worth $12.0, OUR PRICE

LIBRARY CASE

(Like cut.) It Is carefully and substantially constructed of quartered oak. It is fitted with adjustable shelves; worth $ll.w, OUR PRICE

O EXrENSlON TABLE

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room furniture. It is solid oak. piano polished, the legs are beautifully turned; worth $14. w.

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ilDON RFH (Wk cut.) This is quite a IKUIl ni.fl novity. It is massive, but-

""I'xtremely graceful, and is one of the most OUR PRICE

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ever made In a com- in fii

bmatlon of Iron and

brass! worth IIS ort. U U

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