The Evening critic., 1885-01-16

The article in last Fridays CRITIC re.
garding opium smoking in this city has at
traoted very general attention, as most
people supposed that this vile habit was
but little INDUCED in in this city and con-
fined almost exclusively to the Chinese. A
CRITIC reporter has been at some pains to
gather information on this subject, and to-
day be- came in contact with q number Of
persons, who are in a position to know, aud
who fully agree with the person whose
views were published on Friday, and who
took the position that opium smoking is
alaImipgly on the increase, and that there
arc hundreds of victims to the opium
habit who indulge their vice, either at
their own homes or in more public places.
"Of course, IL is very hard matter for
the police to locate the public joints, be-
cause of the fact that the patrons of these
establishments will not play informer.
But that these places exist, is generally ad-
mitted by those in positions to know.
That opium is smoked at private houses,
and by ladies, in some instances, is another
fact that can be established. 1t Is la
mentable thing to contemplated that mem
bers Of the fair sex should engage in a habit
tions and destroy their intellects, but it is
fact that cannot be denied.
The reporter, in conversation with an
opium smoker this morning, asked:
"Where are the pipes and other para
phernalia used in opium smoking bought"
"In New York and Baltimore. In the
latter city there is drug store on Eutaw
street, whore orders from here are sent
frequently"
"Are there places in this city where such
things can be purchased ?" inquired The
CRITIC.
"Yes; there are few places, small drug
stores, for instance, where the pipes, oil, etc,
arc sold, though it is done on the quiet, aud
no person can buy the outfits unless he or
she is known to be smoker"
"Why is this?"
well, because the business Is not re-
garded as altogether legitimate. There
are some Cinnamon here who keep 'lay
outs pipes, ETC., for sale, but they are very
careful to whom they SELL"
as opium smoking very much on the in.
crease?" asked the reporter.
"Well, now, get around pretty lively
myself, but whenever l want to hit the
pipe,' you bet l can always find joint
where can be accommodated"
Cant you tell where some Of these
places are located?'
Il could, II WOuluj DuU L WON'T. But
you can't hardly 90 into Chinese laundry
on the Avenue and fail to find 10 some
nook or corner victim to the habit Of
opium smoking carefully snugged away
| breathing and inhaling the fumes from the
drug.
~ tell you there is no use rubbing 1t out
4 hundreds of people in this city are regular
smokers, and there are good many women
among them. l never jump joint with
out meeting some new faces, and usually
they are fine young men who have bright
| prospects ahead.
| "The proprietors of these places won't ad-
nit poor classes of people. They want men
who have money and can afford to pay fol
the luxury. Pm no noralist or sentiment
talist, but it touches my heart to see young
and promising men in opium dens"
| The reporter suggested that he should
set the example for young men by abstain
ing himself.
| "That's all right, my boy" was the re-
| ply, "but am old; have nothing to live
for, and must dissipate. It's second nature
| with me.
"Now, while go into joints every now
and then and hit the pipe there is really
no necessity for this, because keep lay
j out at home.
| 81 60 to these places more to see the new
faces than for any other purpose 1t would
do me good, though, If the public joints
were broken up, though doubt if there Il
any law in this District which covers opium
smoking"
| Other smokers were also seen by the re-
porter and agreed that the habit is increas
ing rapidly.