Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-09-02
Dress Reform.


Tho third annual convention of the Ameri-
oon troe dress league opened "Wednesday morn
=, Lincoln Hall, Broad street and Far
,,ount avenue. The delegates were not numer.
on, at the morning session. Twenty persons,
al ,oId-eight men, sun burned and generally
loog. haired; dozen women, some un-burued,
and generally short rt-halred-composed the con.
vsptiop. There was 20 formal organization,
and those present placed themselves in circle
near she stage, against which sat three ladies
cIorhed in the boomer costume, Miss Fowler,
Miss Wessles and another, all from VineiaDd,
New Jersey.
\ general free and easy conversation followed
on the benefits and disadvantages arising from
women wearing short dresses, and while the
nine With long dresses we're free to admire aod
anprove the courage Of the three with short
ones, they were also free to admit that 1t re-
ouired more resolution than they possessed to
stated that while they would like the actual
fellowship of their friends, they were sull en-
couraged by verbal approval. All they asked
from the public was liberation.
Mr.. Allen said they desired to create pub
lie sentiment that would not compel woman
10 be the slave of fashion and cXtravagaDce,
but would permit her to dress according to her
own ideas of beauty and usefulness. He knew
what it was to withstand the power OF public
oppioo, and be had known grand, nobIe
strong minded women who were obliged to
give up their chosen style Of dress because they
were too sensitive to endure the prosecuting
gaze of the unwashed rabble.
lady delegate said that she had worn the
bIooner costume in the west for several years,
but had finally discarded it, as she touod it in
terfered with her usefulness in advocating a
moderate reform. She would check the out
rageous extravaganza 10 dress that was dis
grace to our women and was ruini0g the coun-
try. She thought more attention should be
paid to the proper wearing OF under apparel,
TO dscardipg oorsets, and that the outer cloth
iog was mere matter of opinion and convent
ence.
At the afternoon session the attendance was
not quite 80 large, but made up in spirit what
it lacked in numbers. Nearly every member
had something to say, aud Mrs. Iillotson's as.
sertion that it showed want of courage and
strength of mind in the advocates Of reform
who did not wear the short dress, etc., brought
several of the latter class to their feet and they
contended that it was not fear OF facing the
worlds scorn which prevented their adopting
the advanced reform style, but because they
considered it interfered with their usefulness
aud operated against their interests.
MIR. D. NJ. Allen, president OF the league,
said bis intention was cot to enforce any par
tcular style OF dress, but his battle was against
the abomiDabe public sentiment which would
not let woman dress as she saw fit. lie was
iD favor of giving woman her freedom, not
only in this matter, but 10 others of more lm-
portauce. The freedom of women was bis gos-
pei of salvation.
A e-ooking man, with long, grlzzled
looks, contended that there was not free man
nor woman 10 Philadelphia or in the Uolted
States on the question of dress. He thought
the cramping OF Chinese lady's foot was not
half SO bad as the American womans fashion
Of cramping and crushing her vital organs.
This gentleman. the cut of whose clothing
would have justified petruchio's exclamation.
why, what O devils name tailor, call st thou
this?" also treated the assemblage to reclta
ton 10 rhyme, which be delivered with closed
eyes and frequent brushing back of long gray
lock which would insist on coming to the front
from its proper position behind bis right ear:
HIS poem was evidently original and referred
particularly to the motives which aotuated the
lives OF his fellow beings. He said some lived
aud flushed up the rhyme by alleging that
they were 40 more fitted for the relationship
than monkey was to coop.'
A series of resolutions embodyiug the ideas
OF the league 10 regard eo the dress reform
movement were adopted after all had been
beard.
In the evening another session was held and
40 address was read by President Allen.
The members of the league reassembled
Monday in Liucoln Hall. Considerable discus
slou eDsucd on variety of questions OF re-
tormatory character. The following resolutlons,
previously offered by Mrs. TiiIotson, OF Vine
la0d, were read at several sessions and hnally
adopted as the sentiments Of the league:
Whereas the fashionable dress of women Is
Unnatural aud Incompatible with health and
exercise, is Devcr likely to be consistent, aod
would uot remain so if it could reach that point;
sod whereas it is inhunan 10 form ln the H.
nlction OF obstacles to locomotlon and resplra
tou thus causing constant waste OF vital forcei
therefore
Resolved. That as friends of humanity we
repudate fashionable dress and recommend 10
olVldual choice infabrius and forms of clothing;
mat to obtain true lives and equal opportunity
10 the pursuit of hsppioess, to elevate woman
ABOVE slaves aud perncious habits, We will rea'
'ou Win her, and admOnlsn anu entreat ner 10
cease accepting bodily burdens and murderous
INVENTIONS, and use hef Own mind, Skill and
taste in forming comfort-favoriug labor
"snteulog aud life preserving garments.
Resolved That such garmenture should be
OF dual form for the legs as well as the arms,
rs their use and all reason indicate; that the
prejudice against trowsers for women Is based
VI ignorance and tyranny, is fostered by many
VICIOUS and sordid motives, and ought to be
Oao'sbed from the earth by the full sanction
soa fearless effort of all good people.
!: hesoved. That women have duties in re
aa:ev'ng the world of poverty and unequal con-
als'lon, of present and prospective prostitution
VI uany kinds, and that by abandoning extras-
ssaIt and debilitatng costumes they directly
,escn the most fertile causes Of human ills, and
uncut this effort for prosperity. liberty and
s4u''y, all others are abortive.-Phila. Record
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