The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-04
THE CHAPER0N QUESTION
SOCIETY DEGREES IN FAVOR OF
TEE EUROPEAN CUSTOM.

All the Great Ladies of the Land De-
clare in Favor of Strict Espionar q
Of Y ung Girls-Mixed Washington
Society Makes Such Precautions
Necessary.
From the Ne,O York Sun.
WASHINGTON, Dec 27.-Society here is
giving considerable attention to the subject
Of chaperonage. As this city, more than
any ether in the union, sees new faces in its
parlors almost every year, matrons are in
clined to be exceedingly careful in intrust-
Ing their young daughters to the whirl of
the social season, and the question of a
proper chapeson for them is of greater i'm.
p0riance than it would be in other places.
The writer has talked with several of the
most prominent society ladies here on this
al-important subject, and in each case
there was decided expression of opinion in
favor of the chaperons. Mrs. Morton, wife
Of the Vice President. has many practical
IDEAS about the training of her children and
the domestic management of her home
Said she:
Il am most decidedly in favor of chape-
rons, although / have never had occasion to
consider the subject, as my Oldest daughter
shut IL, and will remain under tuition at
least two years longer. In my opinion a
Young girl should never be permitted to
attend a public place of amusement or drive
!" gentleman unless attended by her
mother or some reliable married woman.
cnaperon is e. nece si y for propriety's
SAKE, II for nothing else, and parents who
neglect this erbf RI no
prSed when, as is so often the case, a
runaway match is the result. | con-
q tr That there is entirely too much lib
e5Ety allowed to young people of the present
uay. Round dancing is harmless amuse-
meht' l have always in my youth INDUCED
IN Waiting, yet partners should be selected
with caution. The harm of everything lies
IN Its abuse, and probably the fault of the
present day is to run into excess. My
daughters shall never lack the restraining
influence Of proper es ort when they are
one day set aaoat upon the sea of society.
an by no means a prude. | believe that
every right-feehng girl would prefer The
safeguard Of chaperon in public. Though
N general American girls are edited with
loVe OF Independence, they nevertheless
possess an innate dignity and self-respect
which serve them in good stead in time OF
emergency"
Mrs Attorney General Miller said:
All rules fail in Washington, and the
present. subject is no exception. We can
NOT gauge our actions by what we see
around US in a community composed Of
sucn diverse elements as are thrown
,93gether in Washington. In tquiet place
IKE our home in indianapolis, for instance
would never dream of following the same
SIflct rule that l would in a larger city
mere the young people grow up together
aud are almost of ore family, but such init
macy is impossible here, where one meet:
persons from all over the world, brought
up with entirely diverse habits and views
circumstances must always be taken into
Consideration, and no general rule can bt
,aid down. | do not approve of young
.auleS appearing unattended in public
PAGES, especially in Washington, where one
constantly liable to meet adventures.
-, AS to round dancing the same truti
uolls good. A perfectly innocent amuse-
ueht In itself, it may yet he abused. A
~ ~ per discretion in the oice of partners
should always be observed, and Ia this
o ~ Is quickly appreciated the importance
- a chaperon. A girl should not dance
eln young man whom she meets for tlI'
~ Isl Time in the ball room. Some previous
.uIrodnction should be necessary. 1t il
[ue that custom sanctions many things, anc
VIC nave much license il these days, but ii