The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-12
THE PRESIDENTS SISTER.
The Lady of the White House Writes a Let
ter to the Dress Reformers.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
NEW York, July 11.-Mss Rose Elizabeth
Cleveland, sister Of the President, was known
to q considerable circle of New Workers even be-
fore her brother came into fame. She had lect-
ured before the girls of Rutgers Institute, and
her views on some subjects were SO nearly
radical that Sorosis, that association of far
advanced women attempted on her advent at
the White House to claim her as their own.
They planned q dinner, with Miss Cleveland as
the principally honored guest and speaker, with
q view to drawing her out on the topic of
woman's rights in the matter Of suffrage, en-
ployment and other things. The scheme failed.
Miss Cleveland politely declined to accept the
proffered distinction, urging as excuse the
urgency and amount of her duties in the White
House. A few days ago. however, New York
society belle wrote to the first lady in the land a
letter setting forth that any expression of opin
ion by her as to dress reform would be delight
edly read on the forthcoming occasion of
church entertainment. The answer was de
clenson of the task sought to be imposed upon
her, but in form interesting enough to give
publicity as follows:
''WAsHINGToN, July g. 1885.
My Dear Miss -: l should be very happy
to oblige you in the request you make, but the
more prosaic duties of my present position
wholly preclude the possibility of my graphing
with so poetic a theme as the ideal woman's cos
tune. | have so many letters TO write, also that
| can give very little attention to the composition
of any; and the preparation Of one to be read in
DCblic is now, if it not ever. an impossible
ity. That should be literary labor of which
my pressing duties in the White House render
me wholly incapable-in spite of the careful ap-
in to ri aptic e min
exhumed and repubished in the newspapers by
enterprising editors of today. | can only there
fore say, my dear Miss -, that in
looking into my rather nebulous and very
genera IDEAS on the subject of womans dress, as
it is and as it should be, find one very distinct
conviction, if but one; that woman should always
dress becomingly-that the law of beauty will
finally be ascertained and will prevail. And, be-
cause the beautiful, and the true, and the good
are interchangeable terms, neither you nor |
need fear that, when that good time is reached
women will shock the aesthetic taste by immodest,
extravagant unhealthful attire. 1t is great
subject, and hope you will deal with it faith
fully aud thoroughly. | am sorry cannot write
you more satisfactorily but perhaps some day
can. Meanwhile, | shall remain,
Very truly yours,
ROSE ELIZABETH CLEVELAND"
Miss Clevnland's sentence regarding the pros
pect, that. whenever dress reform shall have
been accoil plshed, ''the law of beauty will
finally be nscertained and will prevail" together
with the remark that there will at that day be
no fear that women will ''shock the aesthetic
taste by immodest, extravagant or unhealthful
attire" vas in response to the suggestion of her
correspondent that the right thing in costumng
lay midway between the absurdities of the fash
ionable belle and those of the Bloomer
kind Of reformer. The reference to rspub