St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-03-19
DECOLLETE COSTUMES.
Miss Cleveland on the Scarcity of Waists
and Sleeves.
Where the Line Should be Drawn on
the Neck.
Plain Talk for the Frivolous Society
Women.
Special to the Globe.


Boston, March 1S.-A very indignant
lady. in reply TO the criticisms of Miss
Cleyeland's decollete costume at the White
house evening receptions made by certain
special correspondents in Washington, has
taken up the cudgels in behalf of the pres
ident's sister. In the Transcript to-day
she quotes as follows from letter written
by Miss Cleveland to a friend who had eX-
pressed indignation at the printed COM
ments:
am very glad you have spoken to me
about this matter. for ii gives me an oppor-
tunitY 10 say TO you, and through you. per-
haps, TO others what have long wished but
have had no opportunity 10 say. The news
paDer item, with regard TO my immodest
dress and its influence in encouraging
shocking scarcity of waists and sleeves in
other women's dress" has been sent me sew
eral times with accompanying comments. but
always anonymously. so that have been un-
able 70 reply. had deemed the animus of the
communication honest enough 10 justify an
honest response That has not always been
the case, but to-day received note from u
person who speaks OF himself as
AN AGED CLERGYMAN
who signs his full name TO the communication
and seems TO be genuinely concerned and
friendly, although L scarcely can reconcile
the true interest and true respect with
credance which he has given apparently TO
the statement which forms the occasion for
his protest. I should hardly feel true inter
est or true respect for person whom be-
lieved 10 be doing what the newspaper slip
represents me 10 be doing, ]. G., using the
brief prominence CT my position 10
encourage habits in dress and man
ner which are subyersive of whatsoever
things are pure and lovely. honest and OF
good report" Such Y believe the immOdest
dress of some few society women TO be, and
against such immodesty j have made that
silent protest which il is every woman's right
and duty to make by having my own dress
waists cut in style which, so far as modesty
is concerned, should be quite willing TO
have all women 10 whom this style OF dress
is becoming and comfortable follow. ] ap-
prove of evening dress which shows the neck
and arms. L do not approve of any dress
which
SHOWS THE BUST.
Between the neck and the bust there IS
line always TO be drawn, and il is as clear to
the most frivolous society women as TO the
anatomist. This line need never be passed,
and a fashionable woman's low-necked even
ing dress need never be immodeSt. If il Is so
il Is because she prefers it 10 be So 1t is
wholly false, so far as have observed. that
shocking scarcity OF waists and sleeves
marks the gowns OF society women" This Is
sadly and painfully true of a few "society
women" and il is indeed shocking, nauseat-
ing revolving and deserving of the utmost de-
nunciation on the score of morality, beauty,
health. and every other consideration which
good men and women should conspire to pre-
serve and exact. There is need of very few
words on this subject and no argument. Any
American woman can wear the waist of her
EVENING DRESS
up to the lobes of her ears If she likes, there
is no queen TO command her appearance in
low corsage. She can also, alas, so contrive
her dress that by the exposure of her person
ali true social ethics, and aesthetics as well.
are revolted. Between the two there is an
appropriate and beautiful and modest mien,
which all can. if they will, follow"
The transcripts anonymous correspondent
adds: ''These sentiments are those Of every
refined lady in good society The criticisms
which have been made so freely on Miss
Cleveland were partly from the class OF cor
respondents who are instructed TO disparage
the administration on all points regardless of
the truth and justice (there are unhappily
some such), and they are partly undoubtedly
the honest opinions of critics unaccustomed
to the usage of good society, and therefore
unable to make the distinction in the styles
of dress which Mss Cleveland indicates and
which every person Of gentle breeding under
stands"