Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06

Out sue WAS u law UOOhCdst ulleu VIII
Black1ood's Magazine, a writing table will
silver tankard and candle bespoke industry
in the vases were tall, white lilies, and wher
the mistress entered, one could see that thi
room was a more charming setting to her re
fined, thoughtful face, than the brlllian
parlors. She spoke SO earnestly on the sub
ject of chaperonage for girls. that am sorry
the voice, as we'll as the words, cannot b.
given.
1T is not because girls are not noble anG
strong" said she. that they need protec
tion, but because they are kindly anG
thoughtless. Themselves pure, they do moi
think of being on guard for what is not good
in the world. An older person can guard 9
girl SO wisely that there will be much thai
is wrong going ON about her and she never
know it. When possible, a mother should
90 with her daughter, but she should
always be accompanied by some older person.
In Washington, of all cities in this country,
chaperones are necessary, for the city is
variable in its population and girl cannot
go any place where she will not meet many
strangers"
A QUESTION OF LOCALITY.
I next saw the wife of our Attorney Gen.
eral. Mrs. Miller was surrounded by piles
of cards which she and her daughter Flor
ence were entering on their visiting
books.
81 think it is question of locality" said
she, in answer to my query, "and have
lived SO short time in Washington that 1
hardly feel capable of answering it. My
husband and myself have always tried to
develop independence in our children, and
like to feel that no matter where they are
they can take care of themselves. should
never wish them to go to am entertainment
here alone for they constantly meet stran-
gers and foreigners who will quickly pass
judgment upon them it they are unpro-
tected, for in their own countries it is the
custom for girls always to be chaperoned.
But where girl has lived from her child
hood can see no harm in her going to
places alone, although We have always
insisted that our children must not
go to houses where we are not
acquainted or have called. That is possible
in Indianapolis, but of course it would not
be here. I have often heard young people
say they can have q much better time alone,
and when hear that I always think it
would be well if they were always chaper-
ored. As long as a girl wants her mother
to 60 with her that mother need have no fear
of allowing her daughter to 60 alone. I
must acknowledge that it has always been a
pathetic sight TO see poor, tired mother
planted up against cold, unfeeling wall
until 1 or o'clock in the morning while her
daughter, flushed, radiant and unwearied,
dances every set on the card"
FROM A SUPREME COURT STANDPOINT.
Mrs. Chief Justice Fuller takes a view
that will please every girl in the land. Said
she:
American girls need chaperones, but that
does not mean that they are not capable of
caring for themselves. They need them to
protect them against themselves, not so
much against the people they are apt to be
thrown in with. Girls are kind; they do not
wish to give offense, and often they suffer
themselves to be bored when word from an
experienced chaperone would free them.
This city is SO cosmopolitan, so variable,
that girl is constantly meeting stranges OF
whom she knows nothing"
81 confess that 1 have alwavs been in
favor of the institution of chaperonage, was
Mrs. Speaker Reads decisive answer to my
query. II have one daughter, Katharine,
now IA years old, and I am sure 1 shall
always want to be with her. It is q mothers
duty. There is a light Interpretation of the
term 'chaperone' of which do not approve
1t does not mean that girl must be watched
because she is not able to guard herself
against the dangers of society. Rather it
means that she is to have a counselor in an
older person whom experience has taught.
1t is certainly advisable for married lady
to accompany girl to bail or an evening
although have never been able
to quite adjust in my mind how woman
who has been married two weeks can
chaperone party OF her girl comparisons.
Many time I have seen this, and the
oIrua H.
charges"
WHAT AN AN THINKS.
"a girl who is chaperoned has much
better time than one who is not" was Mrs.
Senator Hawley's debatable view. 'If a
,irl is alone at . dance she is often sadly
troubled to know how to get rid of her
partner when the dance is over. Unless she
las someone for the next set she will have to
,e bored until her last partner chooses to
cave. It may become an annoyance to both
# them. Now, if, as in England, chaper-
me is present, the gentleman can take her
It once to her and go to his next partner
She never need have the bored feeling of
,eing left alone. It is especially necessary
1 the girl is a comparative stranger,
or her chaperone, presumably know
ng everyone, will introduce her to men
Who dance. Then, too, it satisfies the law
# the greatest good to the greatest number.
can conceive OF what one calls bellies hay-
ng good time wherever they go, but if
ther girls are with the proper people they
rill have a good time, too, for men will
elect chaperoned girl where he would
'ass an unprotected one by. 1t is the fair
ray. In some cities believe a brother is
ccepted as proper chaperone. 1 cannot
ee how that is advisable, for brother
FISHES to dance and have good time, too,
nd girl would have difficult time hunt
ng him up between the dances. The system
5 not espionage and it is only devised for
he comfort and convenience of the girls
themselves"
MRS. SENATOR QUAY's OPINION.
"When was young" said Mrs. Senator |
quay, "there was no such word as cha |
erone' used. But now, especially in Wash. |
ngton, think no girl should 60 out to an |
vening reception Or ball unchaperoned. I |
7ould not say that girl should be chaper-
ned if she went to the theater with a young
nan, for we must consider the matter OF ex-
ense. A gentleman may wish to give a
oung lady a pleasant evening by taking
er to see play, but he may not be able to
ny tickets for three. / am on the side of
be boys there" laughed the little brown
yed woman, who is acknowledged to be one
the best mothers in Washington, "but
mink q mother should always know q
companions"
"In New England the first lesson girl
earns is independence, was the beginning
Mrs. Senator Frye's discussion Of the
lbject; consequently the institution of
haperonage is comparatively unknown.
q Boston girls can go to the theater, con-
,rts and lectures alone and nothing is
lought of it, and in the small towns
,roughout New England they never think