The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-27
FOR LITTLE FOLKS.
BOYS ANTIclGARETTE LEAGUE.


Its Members Pledge Themselves Against
Tobacco Until Twenty-one Years Old.
Cigarette smoking seems to be a grow
ing evil among the boys of the United
States. This has been recognized for
some years, but it is only recently that
any organized efforts have been made to
put stop to it. 1t is true that the Con-
neoticut state legislature enacted law
in regard to it; but, like many other
laws, it seems to be dead letter.
On Thursday afternoon Mr.. John S.
Camp addressed special meeting of
the High Street school branch of the
Anticigarette league on 1.-THE Evils Of
the Cigarette Habit" The High Street
school is the only one in the city where
a branch of the league. which is really
national organization, has been estab-
1ished. The matter was first brought
to Professor Wilbur F. Gordy's atten
ton by Mr.. Henry T. Sperry. The
league had it's origin in Troy, N. Y,
but number of branches have been es-
tablished in Albany, New York and
Boston.
Professor Gordy said, ST was inter-
ested in it at once. because it seemed tic
be such practical thing for the boys. F"
The high school branch was formed last
spring and has been doing its work
quietly and has been gradually growing
in numbers until it now has about $50
members 1t holds it's meetings on the
first Friday of each month during the
school year, and the session, which is
usually brief, is held at the noon hour.
Each boy signs the following pledge and
by doing SO becomes member and IS
entitled to wear the button:
'''We, the undersigned, pupils of the
Second North school, do hereby pledge
ourselves upon honor, first, to abstain
from this date from smoking cigarettes
or the use of tobacco in any form until
we shall reach the age of 81 years; Sec
ond, to use all the influence that we
possess to induce all public school boys
and others of our acquaintance to give
up and abstain from smoking cigarettes
until such boys shall be 81 years old;
third, by giving this pledge we become
members of the .Anticigarette league
s'The constitution sets forth the name
in the first section; the objects, already
embodied in the pledge, in the second
section; the usual officers in the third
section. The constitution provides for a
council of ten members from the differ
ent grades Of the school, and also lays
down the rule that no meetings shall be
held in school hours, and that the prin-
cipal of the school shall be present at
each meeting.
Professor Gordy states that in his
opinion the league is doing good deal
Of good. There is no urging on his part
or on the part Of his teachers. The b,
who become members do SO of their
free will. The lowest grades are no.
taken in because the boys in these rooms
are not considered old-enough, as rule,
to understand fully the nature and obli-
cations Of the pledge. In Professor
Gordy's opinion, the fact that the pledge
of the league only requires a promise
of abstinence from smoking until the
member shall be 81 years old is a great
point in its favor. Many, if they go
without smoking until that time, will
never smoke, while those who do &C.
quire the habit after that time will do
SO at little or no danger to themselves.
Hartford Times