The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-27
STATUS OF GuM-CHEwING.

People who have been at loss whether
to classify gum-chewing as an industry, an
accomplishment or pastime will be more
or less gratifed at a settlement of the prob
lem which leaves all their definitions out and
rates it as an art. Whether or not It is a
fine art depends upon the point OF view, but,
since it has reached a degree Of Importance
that 5usti1es contest of skill and calls out
a large body Of spectators to watch the COM
petition, it looks as If the hne-art theory
was in the lead. AS everybody knows. there
is the fine art of self-defense. and II
physical contest Of the Corbett- Sharkey
sort ranks among the things to be ad-
mired, why should not the other? Besides
it gives an opportunity for feminine skill
to display itself which the other does not
or, at least, has not up to date. What the
future may bring forth in the prize ring no
one knows. Since Mrs. Fitzsimmons danced
a war dance at the Carson City ring and
shouted to Bob to chit him in the Stats"
a possibility has threatened that eventually
she and other pugilistic ladies might enter
the arena and do little rib, or, as the prize
selves. Meanwhile, gum-chewing tourna-
ments will serve as an introduction to the
more warlike encounters. According to the
account, twelve young women engaged in
the match that was pulled OFF, in hall
in that head center of all progressive move
ments, New York. Whether 1t was pure
chivalry that prevented masculine rivalry
or whether the male chewers doubted their
own skill is not known. 1t must have
been one of these reasons, for no close
observation is needed to prove that
gum-chewing is an accomplishment pre-
vailing as widely among men as among
women. Indeed, dealers freely testify
that the majority of their customers are
men. They escape suspicion in some GUAR
tiers, however, by reason of the supposition
that they are only chewing ,uoacco. The
twelve young women were given IA sticks
of gum each, and a diamond ring was Of
fered to one who should first masticate her
supply. BY way of accompaniment, and to
prevent envy and ill-feeling on the part Of
the on-lookers. the managers Of the enter
tainment distributed among them ten thou
sand sticks of gum, and while the twelve
young women chewed for the diamond ring
the watchers chewed in sympathy and some
what slower time. At the end of thirty min
utes, Miss Martha Monroe proved herself
possessed of the most active pair of jaws
by reducing the last of the 144 sticks to
''wad." Time was called, she was given the
ring and declared champion chewer of the
world. The spectators, less agile-jawed,
"chewed on as they meditatively dispersed,
and among them were doubtless some who
felt that with due encouragement they could
achieve greater wonders than the lucky Miss
Monroe. The explanation for the practice
offered by some habitual chewers is that
it aids digestion; others-these are women
confess that they chew for the purpose of
muscular exercise and the retaining Of IA
cial plumpness, but henceforth another
reason, acknowledged or not, will exist. If
gum-chewing is to be entered among the
sports of the day any one who is observed to
be masticating with unusual rapidity may
rightfully be suspected of aspiring to the
championship. 1t is a great world, this,
with a place in it for an infinite variety Of
funny people.