The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-02
For the Dem0crdtic .AdrGcate,
Tobacco Smokers in School,

MEssRS. EDITORS A note to the writer
recently received from one of the most ac-
complished ladies, who is also one Of the most
esteemed teachers in the county, contains
some valuable thoughts and admonitions
against cigarette smOking, on which she wishes
''the press to give such denqGciations against
the filthy and dangerous habit among pap!lS
attending school as will etfectually arrest the
attention of thoughtful parents, who, she
hopes, may thus be induced to cooperate
with the teachers in adopting SUCH strong
measures, if necessary, as will render the
smoking of cigarettes and the using of tobacco
in any improper way SO very unpopular that
no respectable young people who yet attend
school will be found indulgipg at any time,
and especially in or near the schoolhouse and
grounds, in the filthy and injurious habit.
81 find, says the lady referred to, ''that
some of the boys in school are becoming adj
dicted to the habit ! have been looking in
vain, day after day, for the press, that great
engine for good, to express itself more fully.
There has been nothing emphatic-nothing
calculated to arouse the attention of the people
to any great degree. Now firmly believe
that tobacco INJURIES 2 child physically and
mentally, Here is something that | saw in
a publication not long since; Far The toRt
tcenty. fire gears, think it said, no student
Of Hdrrard using tobacco has graduated at
the head Of his class; and get fire out Of sir
are smokers. See hotc great the chances Of the
SMOKERS 10 graduate ,oHh honor
''If," continues the lady referred to, sit
affects boys in their teens thus, how much
more hurttal must it be to infants?'' And
thus this accomplished teacher continues at
some length, adm6nishing both pupils and
their parents against the evils that are almost
certain to result from indulgence in this low,
filthy and ungentleman1y habit of cigarette
smoking and other vile use Of the poisonous
weed by school boys. In the course of her
highly judicious remarks she institutes an apt
comparison between tobacco and intoxicating
liquors and the hitherto futile efforts to check
The increasing use, or the abuse of them; and
then she makes p strong appeal to the PRESS
to exert itself, and to direct its great power,
which is SO effective in almost everything else,
against the growing evils Of tobacco as well as
Of rum, and thus to try to preserve the grow
ing youth until he is old enough, at least. to
take the responsibility upon himeslf
81 discussed the subject to my pupils, adds
this faithful teacher, Gin my spring term; but
cautiously, as | soon found that the soil was
not at all prepared for the reception of the
seed, evidently here referring to the apparent
indifference on this matter of parents, to whom
she forcibly applies the quotation Heaven
defend us from these people who mean Well;'
but who, she seems to suppose, make no eft
fective efforts to preserve their beloved child
rem from vile habit so degrading.
Despairing to hope longer that parents will
exert themselves effectively to preserve their
fine BOYS, this thoughtful and jealous teacher
aog appeals to the press, which, she says, is
all-powerfgl for good in almost every direction.
VIII her appeal be IL Fain2 T. q.