The New York herald., 1869-04-30
Wonen's Dress Reform In Washington
General Grant Roundly ScOlded.

W0unen's Dross Reform In Wasosn6tOn-
General Grant ReandIy scoided.
Presidentess Doctress Mary Walker, of the
District of Columbia, and Doctress Lydia
Sayre Hasbrouck, of Syracuse, N. Y, in
blouses and pantaloons, have just been holding
Woman's Dress Reform Convention in Wash
ington. The reform contemplated is the abo-
lition of the crinoline, long skirts and paniers,
and the adoption by the women of the blouse
or frockcoat and loose pants or zOuave trou-
sers, la Mary Walker and Lydia S. Has
brouck. At the meeting on Wednesday even
ing last the audience was mainly composed Of
half grown boys-young scamps attracted by
the fun They enjoyed hugely the stirring
opening discourse of the Presldentess on
down of General Grant by Doctress Hasbrouck
was q glorious treat-better than the circus,
or TRADE from Sprague on the Senate, or
tearing speech on Congress from Andy John
son. The indignant Lydia had seen it bla-
zoned abroad in the newspapers that the patri-
otic Mary, the presiding genius Of the Con-
vention, had been honOred with a message
from General Grant that che would receive
her when she came dressed in garments suita
BILE to her sex, and, accepting this offensive
report as gospel, the eloquent Lydia proceeded
to rasp him down.
General Grant, she said, would need new
minister to prescribe the fashions for Bridget
in the Kitchen and the lady of the White
House in the parlor, and the women must
obey the Grand Mogui or be denied the pri-
vilege of entering within the august presence
of his lordship. (The boys, in full accord,
here put in, $50 it, old gal; go it, The
inspired lady then went on to say that, as she
was attached editorially to the first paper in
New York (stick pin here) which had raised
the banner of Grant, her claims ought to be
recognized in the reconstruction of the Cabinet.
Here the boys, with good will, shouted
''Bully!") Then she talked about women
not being admitted to the presence of royalty
without donning the trappings Of the court.
''But here" she continued, 1--WE find our
republican President, but lately hauler Of
logs and tanner of skins, debating court
suits to women" (The boys, forgetful of their
gallantry, here shouted ''Hurrah for the
tanner!') Then the learned doctor woman
enlarged on the skill, merits and valuable
public services of the doctor women generally,
and of Mrs. Doctor Mary Walker especially, in
the war, and said that for the most
part they had ''men for husbands whose
ideas Of right and justice are not
formed amid the fumes of tobacco smoke 7"
(The boys here spontaneously responded "Hit
him agin.") And she did shit him agin,"
in saying that the labors of these good women
were directed to strengthen, purify and elevate
humanity, while Grants smoking vice will
curse the lives Of thousands. And she hit
him agin," end very unladylike blow it
was, in saying that these excellent women
were able to aid in earning themselves homes
''instead of depending on the charity of crafty
politicians to buy them presents Of houses. !"
(This fairly brought down the house in
three cheers and tiger.) The lady orator,
after some further remarks on ''the tobac co
polluted atmosphere of the White House." :"
subsided.
Doctress Mary Walker then stepped forward
to the rescue of General Grant. He had not
denied her admittance (in her frockcoat and
zouave trousers) because she had never
applied to see him in the White House; but
President Lincoln on one occasion had sent
her word Zone of Old Abe's jokes) that she
was afraid to see women who wore pants.
This explanation gave great satisfaction to the
boys, as putting the saddle on the right horse;
and it does settle an important fact in history.
We have now to submit to these two cour-
ageous and learned dress reform ladies that it
will be worth the trouble to try the expert
ment of call upon General Grant in frock-
coats and pantaloons. He has so far recog-
nized all the advances made in womens rights
and negroes rights and recognized them hand
somely in his appointments to Office; Indians
likewise. Moreover, he received deputation
Of Mormons the other day, whose customs are
more reprehensibIe than any costumes we
know of in this country; and as there is
nothing In the constitution, the republican
platform or the Tenure of Office law denying
the right of the ladies to wear the breeches, we
think he would prove to be not as ''Old Abe"
was, ''afraid to see women who wear pants"
AT STEwARTs.-It is noteworthy that even
with all the intricacy in the collection Of money
that exists at Stewards, where the principle is
that no one is trusted, the money is yet not
safe. No clerk is permitted to take money at