The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-10
NO MORE SMOKING N
THE SESSIONS
DETAILED ACCOUNT OF RESo.
LUTON ADOPTED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL.

Perhaps the resolution adopted BY
the common council at its meeting
Friday afternoon forbidding smoking
in the council chamber at future ses-
sions is deserving Of more than the
mere passing mention it has thus far
received. For years it has been the
custom for members and any and all
visiting citizens to smoke during the
council sessions, and as far as is gen
orally known the custom has never
been honored in its breach. People
walked into the council chamber, and
lo-they were in a different atmos.
phere, blush, hazy atmosphere,
wherein all things were seen dimly
and somewhat as through a glass
darkly.
Some smoked because they liked
to; others smoked in self defense. and
Others puffed away just because
Everybody else was doing the same
thing.
Naturally the place didn't wear a
very dignihed appearance.
So when the city auditor read a
resolution forbidding smoking there
was little gasp Of surprise from
several.
II move the adoption Of the reso-
luton" said Councilman Belland.
who does not smoke. He called at
tention to the hazy condition of the |
chamber at each session, and said it |
was "a disgrace; and as Mr.. Beliand
sometimes drives tacks with a sledge
hammer, he characterized the whole
matter as indecent and unfit for the |
meeting place Of the elected repre-
sentatives of the city of Astoria. His
remarks were so forceful and so un-
expected that they almost took the
breath away from Mr. Fox and Mr..
prael, new members, who had just
lighted fragrant cigars and were Iazily
,ufing the blue wreaths OF smoke
owards the ceiling.
at is a disgrace, said Mr.. Belland,
IS he sat down.
q don't smoke very much" said
lr Kaboth, as he arose to his feet
nd gracefully waved his cigar about,
but ! do enjoy my cigar after sup
'er and ] don't see why those who
Ion't like it have any reason to OBJ
ect like to smoke, and it seems
o me that ! have right to, and am
-oing to smoke here as long as
'ant to, whether you pass the resolu-
ion or not.
Human nature" replied Mr.. Bel i
md, "is the same the world over. {
ir. Kaboth says he will smoke be- |
ause he likes it, but he does not stop '
D think that we don't like it. That
seihshness." e
City Auditor Anderson asked leave 8
, speak. He said he sometimes found
almost impossible to read hour :
Councilman Stangeland said he didn't :
tier hour, inhaling the smoke. h
ind the smoke so very much, but s
,metimes he thought it made his a
res weep, yet he thought there was s.
proper place for smoking and place Il
I'd time not to smoke He thought Il
{ smokers could lay aside their o.
pes and cigars for few hours dur o.
g the sessions. u
Mr.. Fox at first thought the resolu- ;,
IN was joke, but he soon learned =
was serious matter. =
Later he and Mr.. Prael both said r.
at they were perfectly willing to r,
rgo the pleasure during the ses-
ms. II would gladly do this out Of N
mmon courtesy even if there was th
ly one man that objected" said an
r. Fox. ''We certainly should do of
as matter Of courtesy" said Mr. co
ael, "eyen if on no other grounds"
After Mr. Kaboth had added pa
.asant little crack about the pipe = y
oked by one of the newspaper men ~ y
10 usually attend the meetings, the - ~
estion was put to a vote and car ",
d, Mr.. Kaboth not even voting as fel
had talked. And thus was passed LAT
resolution which, after many
lrs, does away with smoking in the er,
incil chamber, and meantime Mr..
both can smoke as much as he tin
ases. -