Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1891-05-30
CAP AND GOWN IT Ia
A Serious Graduation Question settled
by Feminine MEDICAL students,

by fcmtnine Mcdtgai students
Grim visaged war has stalked rampant
at the Women's Medical college for some
weeks past. The contention was over
the all absorbing question as to whether
or not caps and gowns shall i've used us
the graduating costumes ot the fair ones
turned loose from the institution to deal
with the ills to which human flesh is
heir.
For years past this question has been
annually mooted, but until the present
session there has always been IA majority
who thought that the costume looked
too 'mannish."
This year the factions began their
fighting early and the fight has been a
close one. Some of the arguments used
by those opposed to the ''rig" are in
many cases unique. One Of the gradu-
ating class was heard to say:
"Why, what shall | do il the gowns
are adopted? l am to have white silk
dress for graduation, and want it, too.
Oh, no, shall not vote for gowns"
Another of the students, who has
passed the girlish age. entered her plea
against the gowns. When asked by a
younger classmate what she thought of
the question she said;
"If were as young and as pretty as
you are l should say wear them,' but
am too old. would look like nothing
/ but an owl"
The argument which seemed 10 have
the most weight was that tho college
had no right to the caps and gowns, be-
cause for ages it has been university
costume. a few insisted that the cos
tune was Inannish and their delicate
tastes could not endure that thought.
The college bulletin board has been
an important instrument in the fight
/ One side would paste notice, and i'm
mediately it would be covered with one
by the opposing faction. Notices OF
meetings TO protest were replaced with
notices for adoption. At last the friends
of the gowns adopted an argument
which did much for their side. The
photograph Of a very handsome woman
dressed in cap and gown was framed
and hung up on the board. IL was, in
deed, a picture, for instead of being
mannish it showed a womanly woman,
with features well defined, and even the
most bitter could find no objection TO
her appearance.
The fight has been productive of much
| Ill feeling, for each faction has been re-
lentless in its persecution Of the other
College chums have separated, and the
erstwhile warm friendships have been
supplanted by GOODNESS which borders
close on to enmity.
A meeting of the College association
was finally called for Friday night, at
which the much debated question was
to be argued. All the classes had al.
ready taken their stands The fresh.
les were almost unanimous in their de-
sire for the costume. The second year
students were by large majority on
the same side. 1t was in the senior class
that the fight was most bitter The
| four years course is in the curriculum
of the college, so that OF thirty-seyen
students but nineteen expect to graduate
at the end of the present collegiate year
All are, however, senior, and in the class
vote it was found that the nineteen
were, with but one exception, against
caps and gowns, The one boiling mem
Der turned the scales in favor of the cos
tune, and for a while much feeling wa:
displayed by the young women.
''lt is mean, said one young LADY, .'foi
eighteen four year girls to try to make
nineteen of this years class wear a mon.
key dress"
And so the fight continued until FRIDAY
evening. Promptly at o'clock the pres
ident, Miss Potter, called the association
to order, and Immediately the motion
was carried TO dispense with all regular
business and deal only in caps and
gowns A lively debate followed the
motion for the appointment of a com
mittee of three TO ask the faculty fol
their approval of the cap and gown cos
tune.
Those opposed Immediately saw wher,
this would place them, for if carried il
meant caps and gowns. Feminine as
PENSIONS and sarcastic speeches wer,
offered as arguments. In the midst o
tho uproar living argument for th'
costume was most aptly put.
Two Of the colleges prettiest students
Misses Jones and Griscom. entered tn,
room gowned and capped in the regulal
university costume. Their appearance,
caused a perfect silence, followed by
round of applause such as seldom greet,
the new found star. They were vel
calculated to convert the unbelievers
A prettier picture It's certain ne'er wa,
seen.
The fight was now almost won, fol
the opposition had become very weak
The committee was appointed and th,
question decided by the students. Cap
and gowns had won the day, and at th,
future commencements the white sill
dress will not appear. = Philadelphis
Times.
A Combination Garter.