The record-union., 1892-03-21


matter in these communications will be un-
derstood TO represent only the views OF the
writers. All Recommendations must be accom-
panied by the name of the writer, not tor pub
lication, unless so desired, but as a guarantee
OF good faith.-EDS.
A Protest and a Word to the Women
and to Managers.
EDS. RECoRD-UNIoN Charged to full
ness with anticipation of an evening of
rational amusement, after week OF hard
work, l went to the Congregational
Church on Saturday evening TO hear Max
O'Rell lecture on Frenchmans views
of America.
The greater portion of his pleasant talk
was concerning the exalted position of
woman in our country; the foremost
place she occupies; the Difference paid to
her; her freedom, intelligence, and her
equality with the male sex.
He assured the women with the en-
phatic earnestness of sincerity that in
America they live in clover; that COM
pared with their European sisters they
are infinitely more blessed in the free ex-
ercise OF their rights, and the social posi-
ton they occupy. He declared that
nothing so much impreSses the foreigners
visiting this country as the exalted posi-
ton Of our women, and the wonderful
exhibition of respect paid 10 them by
men, and the countless advantages they
enjoy. But, he added, Il have been un-
able to discover that the American woman
either entertains or expresses particle of
gratitude to men for all they have done
for her in this iand.'
Now, for an illustration of the truth of
his words. In common with all others |
wish to see the face of a lecturer; especi-
ally if he is humorous one The play
of his features, the gestures he uses, his
manner upon the rostrum, have as much
to DO with the enjoyment Of the auditor
as has the language he employs and the
subject upon which he speaks.
heard Max ORell-I did not see him.
| did not, nor did those back of me in
line, catch SO much of glimpse of him
as to enable any OF us to say whether he
n tall, short, spare, fat, bewhisk cred or
smooth-shaven; whether his countenance
Is expressive or Xpressionless: whether
he Is graceful or awkward; whether he is
as good an actor as he is a charming
talker: or whether he is Woodeny and
dull in his bearing.
I sat on the north side OF the church. far
to the rear, in a pew directly beneath the
gallery front. Two pews in advance of
that sat q young lady who wore a hat
mounted by heavy ostrich feathers, quite
encircling 1t. That hat completely and
absolutely covered the entire line of
vision OF those directly behind her, from
the extreme right TO the extreme left of
the rostrum. and from the pulpit cushion
to the middle hight of the great organ
an area at least fifteen feet square
/ pressed as far to one side as was pos
sible without immodestly crowding the
lady upon my left, but not glimpse
could get of the stage. / pushed to the
right, with no better results. / leaned
forward until my neck ached, and strove
to look under the hat; alas, its angle TO
the plane Of her head closed the view. l
arose in my seat and balanced myself on
the back rail with my hands, and the
people about me smiled, and a friend in
the rear whispered Its of no use.u For
the whole evening / studied my toes or
the contour of that hat and reflected
upon the respective rights of women and
the rights Of men.
So prominenta gentleman as the Attor-
ney-General informed me an hour later
that in San Francisco this outrage upon
the rights of auditors and spectators has
been greatly corrected by the united
voice Of the press and the action Of sensi-
BILE women. Managers there now refuse
seats to women who Insult the prophecies
by wearing screen upon the head that
shuts off the view of all sitting behind
them.
The same rule, am told, now obtains
in st. Paul, in Kansas City, and in Bos-
ton, New York and Philadelphia.
This IS no mere matter of growl. It is
of serious and important concern. and I
make this case specific and point out the
place, the sitting and the lady, not to Of
fend, but in the hope that by citing a
prominent instance the nuisance of
broad hats and tall hats in auditoriums
may be abated. In Europe the ladies
often put aside their hats, as men do, in
audiences. Why not here? Will not
our society ladies take hold of this mat
ter ana correct it? They can do it if they
will but resolve and make it known. L
promise you that if that or something
else as effective, is not done there will
be steps taken by men in Sacramento to
assert and establish their rights.
II women in America-and no man
does them honor more than do, or is
prouder OF our land for all it has done for
woman-haye indeed, as Max O'Rell puts
it, mo gratitude" then they must expect
no mercy. For one, the very next time
my evenings entertainments is threatened
by the stage view being cut of by broad
or obstructing high hat, propose, if it is
the Lecture Association, to request either
of the managers; if it is the theaters.
either Mr.. Henry, manager, or the agent
for the proprietors to demand the re-
moval of the woman if she declines to
remove the hat.
If that resort fails, there are men who
have silently borne the nuisance for
years until patience has ceased to be a vir-
tue with us, who will take steps of a more
radical character to enforce and protect
the rights of the spectator. Managers of
auditoriums, however, have the remedy
in their hands. Let them announce that
these headgear screens will not be per-
mitted in their houses and that will
settle the whole business. Managers in
other cities have done so, and lovely
women still goes to the church, the lee
ture and the play, but without offense to
the men who, Max O'Rell says, have
made woman's position in America one
to be envied.
1t is also suggested that husbands.
brothers and lovers can do much in the
direction of reform by politely refusing to
escort thoughtiess women to places of
amusement who SO attire themselves as to
make the people wish their charming
heads were keeping company with that
of Charles /. SUFFERER.
WHM EN EH NQEA "