The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-12-22
DESTRUCTIVE ELEMENTS.
PARENTAL. GUARDIANSHIP SHOULD PRO
TEcT OUR YOUNG MEN FROM
| WH1sKEY AND TOBACCO.
TAe Legislature, the Dog Law, the
High Interest, and n Merry Christ.
mas for Everybody.

Editor Press and Bdaner:
Tie cigarette bill that sprung up In the up
per House was rather OF mushroom charac
Ter. Much forethought, don't think. was ex
pended, ere giving birth tu It, 1t seems tt
have met It's fate without much ceremony
died very easily. In my opinion 1t would no,
have been worth a "continental," SO 90 speak
In preventing the youth from acquiring the
py space on the list Of statutes, like q good
many. others, that would be OF no avail In car
ryieg out the purpose intended. Suppose such
a law was in force, to prevent tho sale OF Gig
arettes to the youth under IA years, that would
Ing the "filthy weed" He could chew, dip
and could evude the law, In many ways, In Sc
curing cigarettes. without encountering much
Inconvenience, If money wasat his command
| Tobacco aud liquor are two destructive ele-
their use, while the United States law sane.
ticns them 10 be manufactured or imported,
condemn the use Of tobacco In any form
without respect to any period Of life. II Is q
r. of.entimes a precursor Of liquor drinking
They 60 hand In hand In paEperizing the
country and hasteaing humanity TO prema-
ture end. / think 1t would be almost as much
In order to get up petition 70 have the sales
OF tobacco suppressed within the limits or the
county as the whiskey prohibition petition.
They are closely allied. would have about
rs much faith in one, as the other, IN staying
their use.
Parental restraints, not legislative are the
primary prohlbitory measures that would ap-
proxinlate the most effectual means OF debar'
ciess s of Vice and dissipation. There is an Old
adnge that teaches the s'love of money Is the
root OF all evil" am disposed to think q
large share Of evil might, very fitting y, be at
tached to money alone. 1t evidently, in many
Instances. has caused the youth to depart
from the path of abstemiOusness In pernicious
Ind u Ieeaees. However "full handed" or
mt an error When they allow their children.
under their supervision, money to squander
ad libitun or any amount Of pocket change
| II arms them, rs 1t were, with weapon that
The money that is given to the youth in ex-
cess Of what will defrny his necessary ex.
penses, when he abandons the parental ROOT
for a season In quest Of literary lore at a col
Possession @ that secures him passport to the
bro,.d road that leads to ruin. 1t enables him
to gratify his naturally lustful propensilies.
It Is a means that gives rise to much Of the
trouble that produces disruption and disturb
ances in college ranks and "broken hearts TO
parents. Keep money ont OF his hands and
he will not smoke many cigarettes, nor take
many chews Of tobacco. nor many drinks OF
vhi>key. Furnish him eXtra money and no
county prohibitory law OF closing bar rooms
or cigarette bills would scarcely afford any
discOInmodious interference.
notice, as usual the day before Christmas
Is fixed for the adjournment Of the Legisla-
tute suppose the work can't be done any
earlier, and they will not consume any more
time than customary. A fixed salary. 500 for
each member per session TO do the work,
would have great weight In expediting husi.
ness. A fortnight would be amply sufficient
time. The five dollars per diem are an outrage
upon any civilized poverty-stricken country.
The capitatIon canine tax bill, entertain
no reason why II should not be In force. Dogs
are largely In excess OF their usefulness. II
certainly would diminish bread consumers,
sheep-killers, aud lessen the ch noes Of that
terrible malady, hydrophobia.
commend my friend. DR.. Hudgens. of Hon.
ca Pat h. in his legislative effort 10 restrict the
percentage Of money TO seven per cent. 1t Is
certainly a step taken In the right direction
in behalf uf the general welfare Of the people.
Manifestly, It was O weakness In the last Leg
lslature to legalize ten per cent. Merry Christ.
mas to Mr.. Every body. o. p. II.