The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-05-17

CHICAGO, May l8.-There were lively
times to-day in the seven different
sImultaneousmeetings, all subdivisions
OF the Women's Congress in session in
the great art palace on the lake front.
Tho various halls and even the Corri-
dors OF tho big structure were crowded
with the iairsex, Topics ranging from
dress reform to evolution were under
discussion, and each hall had its quota
OF devotees, particularly those devoted
to the International Young Women's
Christian Association and the order OF
the Eastern Star, To secure seats many
reached the halls while less enterprisiug
sisters were at breakfast.
Mrs. May Wright sewall presided
over the department congress on dress
reform, and 1t was here that expecta-
ton was on tip.toe. Lucy Stone, u pio-
neer reformer; Frances NJ. Steele,
Annie Jenness Miller, the apostle OF
the modern movement; Octavia Bates
and Frances W. Letter wore announced
as speakers, and large audience, eager
to inspect the "bloomer" and divided
skirt in actual service, gathered in the
hall.
A ripple OF excitement moved across
tho assembtage when Mrs. Sewatt ad'
vanced to the stage. She wore u dress
reform costume, tho noticeable IRE.
form" feature being short skirts. Be-
low tho dress and encasing servicea'
BILE pair OF walking shoes were high blue
CATERS,
On tho platform behind MIRA sewall,
apparently in sympathy with tho re-
form idea, butnot yetpersonally demon
strating it, were Mrs. Margaret L, Par
ker, OF Dundee, Scotland, DR.. Jennie Do
La Lozier, president Of sorosis, New
York, Miss Elizabeth d, Harbeni, and
other widely known women.
After hearty reception Mira. Sowell
introduced Lucy Stone. Mrs. Stone, In
giving her "reminiscences OF early dress
reform, told OF her own personal OK
perience in the bloomer costume in
eiIete Boston, and her labors in the re-
form movement with which her name
is inseparably connected.
There was q general straining OF necks
and Simultaneous uprising OF bonnets
when the president announced that
owing to tho absence OF Frances Z.
Russell, that ladY's report OF the com.
mittee work would be read by Rachel
Foster Avery secretary OF the council.
Mrs. Ayery's attire reminded one OF
the dress OF the subjects Of the sultan,
who are whiting away time in Midway
Plaisance. The skirt Of blue flannel
fell triAe below tho knees where tho
garment divided and was caught up ut
the knee, leaving the ankles half way
up free and unfettered, The waist was
loose blouse with Just suspicion OF
belt inside. After the curiosity Of the u.s.
semblage had been thoroughly satisfied
the secretary read the report.
Frances NJ. Steele followed with n
paper sketching tho work OF the society
ior the promotion Of physical culture
and correct dress
allow Beauty makes Reiorm Possible" I"
an object lesson, though not intended
for such, again put the audience in u
hutter,
Mrs. Henrietta Russell, to whom tho
subject had been loft for discussion,
made striking picture. With her
striking face and faultleas form arrayed
in an adaptation OF Greek drapery, she
was herself most forcible exponent OF
the matter OH which sho spoke. Her
address was forcaful, sparkling with
many witty points and listened to with
marked attention.
"Fashion We. Law in Dress" paper
by Helen Dilbert Ecob, was succeeded
by Annie Jenness Miller, whose bright
entertaining talk on "rho Essentials
and Non.Essentials OF Dress" was one
OF tho best features OF tho session.