The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-27
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
MATTERS OF THE WORLD

7 requires no great effort of the imaein-
alton to picture the mental anguish
that must be the portion of DR.. Har-
per, president of the University of CHI
cago. It appears that his case is hope
less and that he is facing a slow death
by cancer. Although his life has been
crowned with what men call success. he
might yet have many years of useful
ness before him were it not for the dread
full disease which4fs slowly driving him
to his grave. He moves in the world s
limelight and consorts with the great;
one of the worlds richest men is his
friend, a friend who would not hesitate
to spend his wealth to bring back the
health of the afflicted man; In public af-
fairs DIR. Harper continues to play a
prominent part; he moves In brillianey
and acclaim but the pangs which ex-
haust his strength must be to him the
foreword of death. Though he pretends
that he is getting better, the conviction
must have gripped his heart and he can
not recover. The most skilfull practi-
TONERS and the most costly treatment
have failed. 1t is remarkable with what
optimism and courage DIR. Harper en-
dures fate horrible enough to make the
strongest man shudder.
Among the theatrical stars who have
risen to prominence recently none is more
versatile than George NJ. Conan, the
young comedian, playwright and COM
poser. Mr.. Cohan is been phenominally
successful In all his undertakings. When
one remembers that he not only writes
and looks after all the details but also
takes the leading role in a manner to
delight the critics, it is to marvel at the
diversity of his talents. The average
comedian is content If he can make audi
ences laugh in a play that was written
by some one else.
With all due respect to the good people
who are so strongly opposed to cigarette
smoking, one cannot but speculate wheth-
er the legislature Of Indiana has not in
fringed on the rights of American citi-
zens by decreeing that no person in that
state shall be permitted to have even
cigarette paper in his possession. 1t is
itOi oO iluGu uueSllOn Ol NDeIHeT
cigarettes are harmful or not as it is
question of prerogatives. If legislature
can say. You shall not smoke cigar
ettes,' why can it not say, You shall
not eat lobster?" Each of these luxuries
Is believed to have a deleterious effect
on the human system If a man wants to
kill himself by the cigarette route or the
lobster route he certainly ought to be
allowed free rein in the matter Cigarette
smoking is not a crime and it appears
that the state legislature of Indiana has
made a radical departure to say the least.
Since the law was enacted the cigarette
smoking element has been protesting Wig
orously, with what result remains to be
seen.
Here lies a man who never swore"
This may be the epitaph that will adorn
the tombstone of an osler in New York
state who has just passed away at the
age of forty years. Although following
trade that often inspires profanity this
man is said to have contented himself
all his life with the harmless exclama-
ton, Goodness gracious." 1t is hard
to see how much person could have had
much force of character. Maybe, If he
had sworn he might have eventually