The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-28
SMOKERS ARE DULL BOYS.
A Teachers Observation as to Tobac-
co-Beneft of Athletics.
New York Sun.

There is one point on which teachers
without exception are agreed, and that ls
that smoking by growing boys is utterly
Incompatible with proficiency in studies
A teacher of this city who has had wide
experience as an instructor, both In private
and public schools, spoke with much earn
estness on this subject one DAY THIS week
when asked what the result Oh MS ODserNa-
lions had been:
IL do not propose to discuss the tobacco
question" he said. II am not fanatic
on the subject. In fact, l am smoker 1.ss,,
of statement of facts that have come under
my own observation. Those facts Warrant
me in saying with as much positiveness as
/ know how that any boy under twenty
who is a regular smoker may just as well
give up all hope of competing in point OF
scholarship with boys who let tobacco In
all its forms alone. This Is a sWeeplns
sweeping and still keep within the limits
of my honest convictions. l might go so
far as to say that boy under twenty VINO
is addicted TO excessive use or TOBACCO
and in these days of cigarettes almost every
boy who Is addicted to the use OF tobacco
at all is addicted TO its excessive use-I
might say. go SO far as TO , assert IL al bit
thus firmly fixed upon him might az wen
abandon all hope of even moderate pro-
ficiency in his studies.
s'Hundreds of instances come to my mind
in confirmation of this. have noted case
after case of a sort of 'Rake's Progress
among boys in the tobacco habit. have
seen boys with the brightest minds VINO
made fine progress In their studies begin
to flag and drag until they brought up IN
the end among the veriest billiards In their
classes Tobacco did it. There was no need
to ask the cause. III was 700 common an an
ture to say / could pick out the TOBACCO
users in any class of boys, no matter now
large, and pick them out, too. by no physi,
cal. external indications. You would need
NO other g,,ide than what the results OF the
recitation room Indicated.
.In many private schools, as well as in
the Military Academy at West Point ana
the Naval Academy at Annapolis, every
effort possible is made to reduce smoking
and tobacco using of all kinds among the
students. II is never wholly eradicated'
but il Is surrounded by so many incon-
yeniences and dangers of severe discipline
that the evil is to certain appreciate
extent kept down. Still. in spite OF all the
severe regulations at West Point ana An
napolis L have not the remotest doubt that
the failures OF many students 10 Keep
abreast with the academic requirements
and pass examinations are directly and
solely due TO the surreptitfous use or TO-
bacco.
sons of mature years is a great promoter
of Jaziness IL Is In my own case, and
know il is In the cases OF many others OF
my acquaintance. i like strong cigar. and
the interval after smoking, and before
get back my full mental and physical
is the cigar itself. But with persons who
have attained their full growth and ma
| turity IL is nothing in this respect to what
IL Is with growing boys. With them u
| seems. in addition TO making them lazy. &c
| have a peculiarly benumbing. befoggine
| effect upon the mind.
This Is a matter for parents and not FOL
| teachers except In such schools as include
| a general supervision OF the pupils con.
| duct out OF school hours in the genera
| course of instructions Teachers may lee
ture boys on the subject until the craci
| OF DOOM and II will have little or no effect
have tried II and tried il with as little
cant as possible. but with simple state
ment Of facts as am stating them TO you