The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-06
Z MEMS HATS.
The Distinctive Styles of the H~eadgear of
Prominent Politicians.

Boston Traveller.
AS soon as a man springs into public notice he
at once seeks some distinctive article OF head
gear. 1t is a little difficult to tell why this Is,
but it is nevertheless a fact. President Arthur
usually wears a tall silk hat. 1t looks like a
presidents hat. Whoever made it, it IS the only
one of its kind in Washington. In the first
place, it is a very tall hat, with just the shadow
Of a curve near the crown. The brim
is broad and nearly straight, and hangs
over his eyes. 1t is a hat among hats,
and one would ask the name of its owner
among a thousand At-torney-general Brewsters
white silk hats are almost historical He has
them made in Philadelphia, and it is said he
consumes several each season. 1t is a matter of
some curiosity why he should want a new hat of
this species. Certainly it must be a great puzzle
for him to pick out his latest purchase from
among the large stock which he must have on
hand. His hats are made to be brushed either
or both ways, and they usually are. They are
built very high. with a bullying crown and a
rolling brim, something like the style of the
headgear worn in the pictures of the allegorical
Uncle Sam"
Mr.. Blaine sometimes wears a stylish silk hat,
but his favoritc is a black SLOUGH, which he
draws down over his eyes until it nearly touches
his nose. General Butler and Senators Edmunds
and Hoar also run to slouehes, all apparently
made on pretty nearly the same model General
Logan wears q cavalry SLOUGH hat about half
the time and a respectable silk hat the remainder.
Senator ~Ingalls's hat is tall and angular, like
himself. 1t is a keen and incisive-looking hat,
and sits on his head in a prim sort of a fashion, as
much as to say to all the brother hats: Just
have yourselves made over into this STYLE Sec
rotary Chandler usually wears a derby. He
perches it low down on his forehead,
where it looks thoroughly business-like, like its
owner. Secretary Frelinghuysen wears a tall,
thin silk hat. Secretary Folger, on the con
trary, wears a rather lo~w-crowned hat, which
materially adds to his judicial appearance. Sec
rotary Lincoln's silk hat is usually stylish and
dressy, while Secretary Tellers makes him look
like an Episcopal bishop. Postmaster-general
Gresham has developed a genuine fondness for
his old black SLOUGH hat, which he throws down
anywhere.
Commissioner Loring wearsthe most digni6ed-
looking silk hat at Washington. No one would
ever think of such a thing as rubbing that hat
the wrong way, and as for crushing it, the idea
would be preposterous. General Rosecrans
affects the military SLOUGH hat, while General
Sheridan wears a light Derby, of a fashionable
make. Before he was elected Speaker, Mr.. Car
Isle always wore a SLOUGH hat; now he wears q
tall silk one with q narrow brim, which looks
as though it were three sizes too small.
Senator Malone wears a light brown sloueh
hat on the left side of his head, which gives
him a dashing appearance. Judge Lawrence,
the eccentric First Comptroller of the Treasury
Department, wears a f1at-crowned hat with a
wide brim. This is savagely pushed down on
his head, just as though he had given an adverse
decision of ten thousand words. 1t almost Gov
ers his ears, but don't; that is, one can see the
ears. These are a very few of the immense
number of MISUNDERSTANDING hats which may
be seen in Washington. The subject of hats
suggests an incident which happened at the
White House during Grants first term. Gen
eral Butler same in to see the President one day,
and deposited his new silk hat in a large and
comfortable armchair. AS he stood talking, in
walked Horace Greeley. Greeley shambled
across the room and sat down fair and square or
Buffers hat. OF course there was a crash, and
as the great editor jumped up General Butler
took the remains of what was his handsome
head-gear in his hands and said: Greeley,
knew that hat wouldn't fit YOU