New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-24
GOV. WILSON ON MARCH 8
Mr.. Wilder, Apprehensive, Suggests a
Smokeless Princeton Smoker.

To tho Editor Of The Tribune
Sir. The latest published plan for the
coming Inauguration includes smoker
or the evening before given by the Prince
ton Alumni Association In honor OF the
! President elect. and it is stated that he
will attend. II has also been stated pup
! licly. repeatedly, and without contf"u'o-
ton So far as I know, that he does not
use tobacco at all.
! Under prevailing social conditions "
may he assumed that not to smoke I'M
plies an aversion TO il. The majority
NAV well declare: lie that is not win
Us is against Us" Unless. therefore, Gov
ernor Wilson has been for some time IN
B training" for this function IL can hardiy
/ he regarded AS showing him honor oF even
respect Jpon this point he alone IS the
arbiter Il wish that he might request
smokeless reception and likewise cN-
cusc himself from promiscuous handsnak-
/ irs az he las already eliminated the mod
( bish inauguration BALL
/ n he Is constrained by kindness 'mis-
plac.dj, by college spirit or politlcal
considerations To endure personal discom-
fo,, there remains q view ~ the case
which entities every citizen Of this re-
pub,.c 20 cxoress himself. Unless GOV
.iror Wilson is made Of stcrn"r SUM
than MS physical conformation Indicates
.,er an hours Inhalation Of a smoke
laden aimospher. would entail not mere
~. temporary discomfort: It would mar
his rest. spoil his appetite and impair his
efficiency upon the day when Of All DAYS
D iafx Of
: when all. even his political opponents
should have cause FOR pride IN hailins nm
as the head Of the nation. He ~ guarded
against bullet bomb and dagger. A.
chief Magistrate he is also entitled 10 pro-
lection from poison. however slow In sc-
ton aud ,ransitory I'm effect Upon TINS
around alon. smokers have rlsht
% demand that whether or not lie asks
H. he ho exempt from the trial by smoke.
We stand upon another ground. nearly
All. substantial. 30 all Princeton alumni
smoke l. tn. ACCOMPLISHMENT requisite
Tor graduation II g. understood that
graduates a. other colleges may attend.
DO All u them smoke? If not. would
IL not be q gracious act and a happy
augur,- FOR the new administration ii the
hosts should voluntarily dispense with this
particular featur. of the gathering
Granting FOR tobacco smoke all that Is
claimed for IL ae q soothor of bodily or
mental irritation. ss n laxative. as pro-
noting masculine fellowship and a. I'M
parting 70 sheer loa ling the semblaucc ~
o,cupation. tie habit is costly. primarily
needless. artificial and offensive. unwhole-
{
nres). en,layinc. socially disruptive and
cthically obtundent. The nrst count IN
tin, Indictment j. TOO often ignored. but
with a family Of sin. including two smok-
crs. the daily expenditure for tobacco
would probably supply all with abundant
cream. an article sparinsly provided, oN-
I ccp,ing with the wealthy.
without minimizing the Importance of
The other items. the writer regards the
last az by far the most serious in q civil
He'd community. ! have the pleasure
% ACQUAINTANCE with gentlemen who
smoke. bat who scrupulously avoid annoy
ing those who do not. Too often. how
ever whether as cause or effect. smoking
( is accompanied by bfazel and brutal in
Nasion Of the equal rights of others.
Let me commend the foregoing remarks
! Ia those In charge OF the proposed gath
cring. and With special reference to their
own institution. Princeton is regarded as
an exponent OF certain variety of re-
| ligious belief Whether or not expressly
stated in the creed. IL must assume To
stand FOR purity and justice for the physi-
cal. mental aud moral upift of mankind.
Yet from it have come ana 10 II belong
preachers who smoke. To the writer ,and
to many others whose politeness restraints
their Words smoking parson is con
tradic,ion in terms. VIII any such de
clare his expectation that he will con
tinuc the habit In a better world?
BURT G.. WILDER.
Washington. Feb. 30. 1913.