The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-07-03
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TROUBLE IN VERMONT.
"A Female Minstrel Troupe Arouses the In
diunation Of the Towl, of Barre.

"A Female Minstrel Troupe Arouses the In
dignation Of the Town of Barre.
From the n. Y Graphic
Barre is quiet, religious town of the strict
New England variety. No souless, sinful show
ever billed itself in that village until last week.
Then bTazen faecd advance agent appeared, aud
flaming posters on every fence in the town next
morning announced the Coming of female Hiri-
strel troupe. In two hours after snnip q. church
Sneelni ywas called, and the local ehreaieN fairly
revels in the details Of the meeting 1t was held in
Salvation Hail. The first to enter was Deacon Rob
ert Williams.
He laid aside his hat and linen buster, turned
up the lights, wiped his forehead with red ban
dana, and carefully adjusted his spectacles. One
by one the church members dropped in, and when
a quorum had been secured the deacon called the
society to order The first speaker was Sister Maria
Smith. she stated that O collection of bold for
ward young women were coming to town, and pro-
posed to exhibit themselves on the opera house
stage in Greek Slave overcoats and hectic Pushes;
that the agent Of the minstrel company
had spread posters all over town bearing pictures
of young women whose dresses did not como down
far as the knee; that it was crying disgrace to
the town to permit such things, where there were
SO many young people growing up, and that it was
the duty Of the society to prevent these travelling
sinners from disgracing the town with their pres
ence. Deacon wilkins said that he did not believe
in those kind of shows but he thought Sister Smith
was too severe in her denuncaton of the rosters
He had seen them, and thought that If the pictures
true represen tations of the originals the young
women had no need to be ashamed of their shapes.
This mild protest brought down storm of wrath
on Decon Wilkinss head, and he went out hastily
to friend. Sister smith said that the remarks
of Mr.. wilkins were ridiculous; that 1t was Il pity
10 think that man old as he was should display
enthusiasm over n lot of vulgar pictures. She re-
commended that the society communicate with tho
manager of the itineTGnt hussies and advise him
not to visit Barre, for if he should they would re-
quest the authorities to prevent their exhibition If
the young women could be made TO wear skirts
however, they would be permitted TO perform All
these Arguments were approved by the members of
the society present, and the following resolutions
were drawn
Resolved That this society protests against the in
tended performance OF troupe of bold young Wo-
men, known as female minstreis," aud that the
society do NIL in its power TO prevent their perform
ing in Barre
Resolved, That this society deprecates the morals
Of the bipostCr who covered the fences about town
with Objectionable posters.
Resolved That We petition the legislature TO pass
law making IL an Offense for minstrel b. wear on
the stage a skirt less than twentyeight inches in
length.
Whereas, Deacon wilkins has seen ft to uphold
the action Of said Ministries in placaFding Barre with
vulgar posters, and has made sundry improper re-
marks arout Shapes"
Resolved Tint wc regard with pity and sorrow
this conduct on the pait Of Deacon wilkins, and
recommend that he resign from the church.
Then the meeting adjourned, and when the show
opened in BarIe II had the biggest house the troupe
had ever played TO in New England.