The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-14


vests. The pin is in the form of shield,
highly ornamental in design and prettily
enamelled in red, white and blue sec
tions with gold decoration and printing.
10 bears the words. Purity, Patriotism"
and In "A monogram. the initials. "A. q. |
l.. IL is the emblem Of the Anti
Cigarette League which was founded In |
this city couple of weeks or so ago.
Every one of these school boys as dis
tinguished by this particularly pretty..and
inspirting emblem, has voluntarily taken
"A pledge 20 refrain from the use of cigar
cites during the current school term.
When they come back from the long
vacation they will, If they so elect, renew
their pledge and so retain their badges.
Very likely most Of these young men
have never smoked cigarettes, and per
haps many of them would never be
tempted to. 1t Is to be hoped that most
Of the school children of our city are so
fortunate in their home influences and
the environment of both school and
church as to be kent from this, as from
other evils. Our schools teach hygiene
and our laws punish the youthful cigar
cite smoker and the storekeeper who
sells TO such. But an organization like
q kn I hat - al
vantage in an educational and moral
way, better than all in bracing and
assisting such Of the young people as
may already have become in any degree
lovers of the noxious weed or may now
or hereafter be tempted thereto. Each
member of the League will naturally be
of direct holpfulness To his weaker brother
for tho lattors own sake and for the in
tegrity Of tho organization as whole.
That such movement among our
school boys should, at the outset COM
mand their cordial support in so large a
measure is an impressive thing. Their
III sdge is admirable. Their purpose in
taking it commands the sympathy and
support of every citizen of the commun-
ity. Superintendent Tarbell told one Of
The News young men that of 2J00 boys en-
rolled in the grammar schools only eight
have neglected TO take the pledge and
| only that number are thus identified apart
| from the fellows as not wearing the in
spiriting badge. Most likely those eight
will be shortly gathered In. The League
certainly has in view missionary work on
| the part OF its members and its immedi-
ate task Is Insignificant we should say.
with 2500 against eight and a cause SO
worthy.
1t is unnecessary at this late day to
point out the evils of cigarette smoking.
Leaving aside any argument as to
whether cigarettes are any worse form
of tobacco than some Others the fact is
that the cigarette invites TO the tobacco
| habit at an earlier age than the cigar or
tho pipe and that is itself serious
enough charge against it. Cigarettes
are cheap and for various reasons are
more easily available TO the boy than
other forms of tobacco, and the tendency
is that the use of tobacco Is begun and
the habit Is fixed In this generation at
much earlier age than was possible be-
fore cigarettes were so freely distributed
1t Isl vicious and unwholesome and
unclean thing, is the cigarette. The fact
that great many mon smoke them
doesn't make them any bettor. Providing
they are never begun on, there need be
no temptation TO smoke them. A boy
with cigarette in his mouth Is no more
Of q man for that On the contrary an
adult with a cigarette In his mouth is
rather less than "a man for IL, as we guess
the man will admit 10 tho members of
the Anti Cigarette League II the latter
catches such one smoking u cigarette
The school boys of Providence have GER
tainly set a good example to sumo Of their
elders. Their spirit In taking hold of
the new organizati, with such unan.
unity is to be commended and praised
without stint as one of the most splendid
examples Of lofty purpose ever presented
by any class OF people in this community.