The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-28
TIE DRESS COAT.
The Character of This Essential Feature OF
Civilization.

There ought 10 be a society for the protec-
ton Of the dress coat. The conspiracy of
dudes and tailors for its destruction Is cease
lessly active. and it threatens widespread ca
lamity TO men.
The dress coat is the badge and the instru-
ment of mans independence. his passport 10
social enjoyment. IL is the great ievelIer
which fOrbids class distinction and rendsIs
class privilege impossible
The man in a dress coat is equipped for any
thing after O'clock. When invited 10 any
kind of evening entertainment. from fIesi-
dents levee or his own wedding toa commit
tee meeting he need give himself no concern
about what he shall wear lie need not inquire
on the expense in deciding whether OF not to
accept his invitations There - no expense.
His dress coat is ready at home, the same
dress coat that he has worn upon MY otneI
occasions, and he knows that when clal IN u
he will be properly dressed. Inc question:
settles itself. His mind IS free. lie necd hoI
concern himself 10 inquire 'wnat Is "oln'
as women must do in like circumstances
The dress coat is always worn and nothing
else will serve. The variations IN It's form are
so sliqht as 10 be of no cOnsequence-sos llshU
that only the dude or the tailor couiu py any
possibility decide which OF two dress coats mas
been worn for years and which was made LOT
this special occasion.
The conventional dress is a source of econ
omy sufficient to cancel and atone for the ex-
trayagance of cigars and club dues. Inc ldea
Of uniform and Interchangeable full dress lOr
men. made of black cloth and peremptorly
required by custom for all evening occasions,
is one worthy 10 rank with the great basllar
principles Of human right laid down IN the
Declaration of independence. IL IS man
charter Of liberty. and until women, sn"ii
adopt some equally rigid and all-appllcaOie
convention the "subjectiOn Of women" Will
continue 10 be an undeniable fact.
The tailor wants TO abolish the dress coat
and substitute q yearly changing fashion IN
it's stead because he wants TO make more coats
than now But what are the tailor's profits
even when his bills are pad-ln comparison
with the freedom of men from the thraldom
of capricious fashions and their exemption
from the expense Of new clothes:
The dude wants the dress coats abolished
in order that he may exhibit what he mistakes
for his skill and inventyeness IN dress. but
what is in fact his tailors command But the
less the dude is considered IN human affairs
the better for human affairs.
And finally there is the broad consideration
Of mems incapacity 10 dress becomlngy.
Women have that gift, and their exercise OF II
is q delight They make pictures OF them
selves which are 50 charming that 10 look at
them is the sensible mans chief inducement
10 20 into society at all. No gallery ot paint
inos on earth Is One-half so well worth look
ing at as a drawing room full Of wel!-dressed
danes and damsels.
But men could accomplish nothing Of this
kind. They would make guys instead Of pie
lures OF themselves If lett free by convention
to decorate their persons at Will. Granted
that n full-dress suit IS not beautiful-at least
it is not grotesque or ridiculous and, being
uniform. it never attracts attention. II IS an
observed fact that the less attention most
men attract the better for their own and
others comfort.
The dress coat is an institution conceived
in wisdom. brought forth in kindness and
preserved in masculine self-defense. EstO
perpetua. which means that 1t must never
go" or words to that efect.-New York
World