The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-10
IT is EPIDEMIC.
Kissing Breaks Out in ViruIent
Form at Atlanta.
A Crusade Has Been Inaugu-
rated Against 1t.
PROHIBITION TALKED.
Society About Equally Divided
on the Question.
PROHIBITION TALKED.
Rev. Sam Jones Thinks it
Should Be Stopped.

Atlanta, Ca, Feb. 10.-The charge
that kissing is the growing social evil
in Atlanta and the note Of warning is
sued by Mrs. Kingsberry, one of the
most prominent of the social leaders, is
creating a terrific sensation, and people
of all classes are talking of what is
popularity termed an Atlanta epidem-
ic"
LAS matter of fact" said one of the
best-pOsted women in the social whirl
today, The position taken by Mrs.
KingSberry is not only eminently cor
rect, but is exceptionally timely. 1t is
a sad truth that kissing as it is now in
lanta Oversteps its innocent bounds, and
is the one evil that threatens a hereto
fore pure and lovable society,"
The Rev. Sam p. Jones, Georgia's no
ted evangelist, has taken the matter up
and in an authorized interview today
adds to the warning that has been
made by Mrs. Kingsberry.
we had better stop and ask some
questions he says in a fatherly way.
First, who is it that wants a kiss, and
what is he going to do with it after he
gets it? What will follow this kiss, or
these kisses? Really hrst-ClaSS ladies
don't do much kissing before they are
married, in my judgment. The second
class can do pretty much as they please
anyhow.
Il don't want anybody kissing my
sister, and as a gentleman I am not
going to kiss anybody else's sister, for
no gentleman will treat another mans
sister or wife or daughter differently
from what he would ask for his own
sister or wife or daughter.
when kissing comes in crazes it be-
comes dangerous, and have known of
some instances where it impaired con-
tagion. a young lady's lips ought to
be as sacred as her character. Touch
not, taste not ought to be the motto of
every pure girl. There are too many
a o11o
terleSS dudes.
'MOdesty and purity are the two pill
lars that uphold wOmen's character.
You knock either of these pillars out
she goes, and after the devil gets a wo-
man down and puts his foot on her
neck she never gets up.
Our girls devote too much time to
beauty of the face and the fashion of
dress. But after ALL beauty of char
acter is the thing, for by and by the
roses Will fade from the cheeks and the
luster will fade from the eyes, but a
beautiful character, upheld by the pill
lars of mOdesty and purity, will shine
on when the stars have grown dim and
while the datelesS calendar of the fu-
ture is wearing away
One of the interesting features of the
present fad in Atlanta is that it finds
many advocates among the older gen
tlemen of the Four Hundred. Mayor
Collier, in discussing it in an afternoon
paper, says:
AS mayor of the city, it would prob
ably not be proper for me to give an
official opinion regarding such an i'm
portant question, and one, too, which
the learned men of all great nations are
unable to decide to the satisfaction of
all persons. When I was young and
everything was sunshine, I was heartily
in favor of kissing.
'Of course. the girl was to be pretty,
and the time and place acceptable Now
that have passed this period I do not
feel that I should hamper the rights of
others. kissing is an art, and both
giver and receiver should be experts to
secure the proper effect. Seriously
speaking, love should be the judge in
all such cases."
The state treasurer says: ct think
kissing is a good thing if the parties
can agree. 1t won't do to force such
matters, however. I think people ought
to be very careful
Colonel Allen D. Chandler, the Con-
federate veteran, who is leading the
procession for governor of Georgia,
says: kissing is an institution of
which am very proud, provided the
party of the second part is good look
ing. That's all 1 know about it,"
There is talk of legislation on the
kissing subject, but legal authorities
say prohibitOry law would be uncon-
stitutiOnal and that it could not be en-
forced ANYWAY