The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-21
sian suzerainty over Manchuria and by
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CIGARErTEs VS.. GUM.

CIGARETTES VS.. GUM.
The question for the opening evening
Of the country debating society VIII no
mightier than the sword" but will be
that newer and more important ques-
ton: Does cigarette smoking or gum
chewing have the worst effect upon the
average mann"
Nor will this question be confined to
the debating society In the "deestrict'
school. 1t has already become a burn
ing question of the day--it is occupying
the attention Of our grave and reverand
law-makers at the capitol. 1t seems that
there the question: takes a somewhat
different shape Is man who holds a
bit of tobacco between his fingers big
ger fool than the man who "chaws''
quid of gum? that is the question.
We are inclined to think this is all
a matter of taste. We know of few
full grown men who smoke cigarettes
who are not fools, and we have heard
that there are in the universe men who
chew gum and still retain semblance of
nationality. OF this the proof is not the
most positive, but in the absence Of
proof Of insanity or idiocy the presump-
ton is in their favor.
From a social and artistic view point
we think that the champions of the
cigarette would have the better of the
argument. Remember that this remark
is comparative and can not be taken
as compliment to the cigarette or its
smoker. A cigarette stuck into mans
face may not permanently disfgure it.
It (the cigarette) don't last long and the
observer gets a few moments rest while
another is being rolled, but the gum
chewer is perpetual motion machine
his jaw works increasingly; he takes no
rest and will give none to those within
sight of hearing. He is public dis
turber; he works upon the nerves of all,
irrespective of sex, color Or previous con-
dition of servitude No human being
can remain long in the presence of the
unmistakable signs of insanity.
1t is alleged that the cigarette smoker
goes insane; the gum chewer drives
others insane. ait is alleged that the
cigarette habit Is a. just ground for d.
vorce; it is known that a gum-chewing
wife has driven many good man to
drink. It is said that the cigarette habit
develops the cigarette face hollow and
emaciated; the gu1n-chewing habit dis
figures the countenance by exhibiting to
the whole extant world the entire work.
ings Of the digestive system. Who has
not observed the young lady gum-chewer
on the street cars, evidently working her
passage, and wonderingly gazed at the
cavernous recesses exposed to the light
Of day. Who has not observed the man
but here we draw the curtain of silence.
If woman, lovely woman, makes a guy
Of herself by chewing gums what must
one expect when the ponderous jaws of
man are put to this boetless struggle
against-nothing.
We do not believe in .sHrptuary laws.
We believe that with the ordinary re-
strictions imposed by society, men and
women should be allowed an unobstruct.
ed choice in what they may eat, drink
and wherewithaI they Will be clothed,
but we do think that the public gum
chewer should be abated as nuisance.
II a court upon inspection cannot pro-
nounce him a nuisance, tnen ought there
to be statute declaring him Eve mean
both sexes) public nuisance, so that
any aggrieved citizen could at his pleas
ure Carrienation him