Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-11-07
BIG BLACK SEGAR IS
QUITTING POLITICS
Leader No Longer the Red
Faced, Black Moustached
Man He Used to Be.

One of the fondest traditions OF the
common people, that the politician is
not of the real genus politico unless he
smokes big black cigar. which sticks
upward at an antagonistic angle from
one corner of his mouth. has been
shattered according to the Philadel-
phia Evening BulletinO
Pennsylvania, the most political of
all States, perhaps, Is now ruled by
group Of men to whom the soothing
weed lis foreign, if not anathema.
1t remains for the lesser lights of
the parties to furnish the traditional
smoke without which no gathering of
politicians behind closed doors could
be a success in the popular fancy. AS
a matter of fact, probably the most
significant meetings Of the past few
months have been untouched by the
fragrant perfume of Lady Nicotine.
For instance, there is Clifford Pin
chot. Republican gubernatorial nomi-
nee and standard bearer in the coming
campaign. The angler-candidate from
Pike county does not smoke and on his
campaign trips throughout the State
he only rode in the smoker when ii
was compulsory.
Not that Mr. Pinchot is a fanatic or
a zealot on the subject of tobacco. Not
the least pleasant of the memories of
the cigar lover who has CHANGED to be
a guest at Grey Towers" the Pinchot
chateau in the forests Of Pike county,
is the delicious brand of perfecto that
fourishes on the Pinchot smoking
tables.
Senator George Wharton Pepper has
been accused" recently by a rather
prejudiced writer as the real head of
the Republican Party in Pennsyl-
vana." II the Senator smokes, he
keeps it a deep secret His office desk
is usually supplied with cigarettes
but the Senator's lips are framing
phrases of logic while his listeners
are framing smoke rings.
In this elite class appears w. Harry
Baker, chairman of the Republican
State Committee. 1t is almost an af-
front to a public legend to affirm that
Baker does not smoke. He is essential
, ~ the politician, the man of mysteri-
Gus moves and secret parleys The
legend might be saved If Baker
smoked, but he simply won't.
John A. McSparran, Democratic
gubernatorial nominee, stands out
head and shoulders above the other
figures of his party in Pennsylvania
at the present time. His aversion TO
tobacco is well known. Some opposing
leaders have used this aversion as a
threat to swing into line those hard
ened sinners to whom a bit of tobacco
between the teeth is as mamma in the
wilderness. to say nothing Of Penn
sylvania farmers who grow it.
A rather amusing incident occurred
in the primary campaign when State
Senator Edwin II. Ware called for the
first time upon Mrs. Barclay II. War
burton, vice chairman of the State
Committee. to discuss the recognition
OF women in politics.
Senator Ware does not believe poll
tics a game for femininity. Perhaps Il
was 10 initiate her, or perhaps 1t was
10 emphasize his own masculine per-
sonality and bolster up his courage
that the Senator lighted a huge per-
feCto as he was about to enter hel
Office at the State Headquarters. Ant
Senator Ware rarely touches tobacco
IL was a defiant, odoriferous cigar
big enough TO have blown the head
quarters TO atoms if it were loaded. i
almost bristled between the Senator
fingers 1t went with him into th'
conference room where Baker and Mrs
warburton waited. But when th'
storm was over, the cigar lay sadly ii
the discard ashes and there wasn't tn
faintest trace of aroma in the air.
It seems that the popular figure il
the loud checked suit and the big
black cigar will some day be as eX
tinct as the leader who believes TIL
women will stay home and mind tn
babies on election day.