Evening journal., 1914-10-29
New News Of Yesterday
The Argument in a Doc
tors Prescription
By HOLLAND.

A quarter of a century ago Fran
els w. Bird. of Massachusetts, was
numbered among the citizens Of that
State whose names were familiar 70
American people. His son aud
grandson have also justly claimed
public attention, the son having been
nominated as the representative OF
the Progressive party for governor
of Massachusetts,. Francis w. Bird
was never nominated for that Office,
although occasionally his friends
who were many-urged the party Of
which he was a member TO nominate
him
Mr.. Bird, however, probably would
have won official distinction had Il
not been for certain admirable, but
peculiar. personal qualities. He was
loyal to his convictions. He was IN
capable of hiding his personal Views.
He could not understand the facility
with which men for whom he had
high opinion practiced that science
of politics which Is sometimes called
trimming" Had he been a little
more of trimmer" and a little less
persistent In public announcement of
his convictions, he would probably
have gained official recognition.
For Mr.. Bird was personally a man
who drew to him all kinds of peo-
pie He possessed that kindness Of
heart and that consideration for
others which are said to be the es-
sential qualifications Of a gentleman.
He was the most democratic OF men,
although he knew how TO be a plain
man among plain people without in
any way sacrificing his dignity.
Mr.. Bird might have been
/ nominated for high Office II
he had not, apparently with
/ suddenness, abandoned the strong
convictions which he had con-
stantly proclaimed in public in sup
port of State prohibition and OF the
practice Of total abstinence from the
use OF spirituous or malt liquors.
He was Of unusual physical stature
at least feet inches IN height.
| He was slender, and II was a wonder
how his apparently frail body could
contain so much energy. for he was
never idle. But Mr.. Bird lived, ac-
cording TO his friends. upon his
nerves. There came a time when
his nervous system failed 10 yield
the energy which he needed. This
J time was coincident with his adyo-
cacy of prohibition and total abstin-
ence, and these were policies which
/ a majority of the citizens OF Massa-
chusetts then held. He felt that he
needed a physicians counsel, and
he got that counsel. The doctor
prescribed a few spoonfuls of whis-
ky mixed with water. which was to
be taken at meal times, and light
tonic of that kind at bed time. Mr.
Bird acted upon the advice and
speedily found that the taking OF {
little wine for his stomach's sake wal
doing him good He therefore bough
a small demiiohn, or keg, Of excel
, lent whisky, and he had no soone
e placed II in his house than storl
}, OF criticism was raised.
y "Did you know that Frank Bird hs
= bought liquor and has IL In n
!, kouse?" was a question put frequen
: ly TO one and another of his friend
e At last the criticism reached hi
n ears. Had he been a trimmer"
r politics he would have offered
J, plausible explanation. Instead q
that he said: Il am today a believe
IN total abstinence. but I do no
think that the taking Of medicin
prescribed by a doctor violates m.
conviction. / am today a believer II
prohibition. but I do not believe tina
the use of spirituous LIQUORS shoul,
be prohibited TO those who accept
physicians prescription and act up
on it. That is what believe.
have done nothing inconsistent will
that belief, for If have then thl
State Of Massachusetts, should refus'
to grant a license TO a physician I,
E practice his profession"
That is all the explanation Mr
Bird gave and upon IL he stood HI
. was not willing 10 dissimulate il
- order To gain political honors.
= Copyright. 1914. by y. j. Edwards
All rights reserved).
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tel
= 'When Note Shaving Was Unpopula
] l..