Omaha daily bee., 1893-05-17
WOMEN AND THEIR WORK.
Beauty Takes Possession of the Art Palace
at the Fnir Grounds.


CHICAGO H., May l6-There were lively
times today in the seven different smulta-
neous meetings of all the subdivisions of the
women's congress now in session in the
great art palace on the Lake Front The
halls and corridors of the great structure
wei e crowded with famous women Topics
ranging from dress reform to evolution were
under discussion Each hall held its quota
of devotees, including the International
Young Women's Christian association and
the Order of Eastern Star. To secure seats
many reached the halls at the ordinary
breakfast hour
Mrs. Mary Wright Sewell of Indiana. presi-
dent of the international council o. Women's
Federation of Clubs, presided over the de-
partment on dress reform. She appeared in
the reform costume with a full skirt, cut
eighteen inches from floor, and her limbs
below the border eucased in nea at-fitting blue
leggins. Other notable women on the plat
form were Lucy Stone Frances NJ Steel
Anna Jenness Miller, Octavio Bates, Frances
w. Letter and Charlotte Emerson Brown
A number of ladies in the audience also wore
the reform costumes.
Susan b. Anthony read n paper by Eliza
beth Cady stanton on THE Civil and Social
Evolution of Women" In the department
of the International Womens Christian as
sociation Mrs. Charles G. Kendall Adams of
Wisconsin read an address on "Pious Educa-
ton"
Dress Reform.
In the department congress of the national
council of women Mrs. Mary Wright Sewell
introduced Mrs. Lucy Stone. The presi-
dents words of introduction were drowned
III wave of applause. Mrs. Stone, in giving
her "reminiscences of the early forms OF dress
related her own personal experiences in the
m N affp 70 Rnct a l,,.,,
labors in the .eform movement with which
her name is inseparably connected.
The president announced that owing to
the absence of Frances f. Russell, that
lady's report of the committee work would
be read by Rachael Foster Avery secretary
of the council. Secretary Avery is one of
the ultra refcrmers. She stood behind the
presidents table ready TO read, but the
ladies would not have it read that way.
"Stand on the table, spoke up one brave
little woman, 1--WE want her in position
where we can see her."
Hundreds of ladies said Yes yes" and in
response TO the clamor, Mrs Avery, as
sisted by the president, mounted the table
Then the necks were strained 10 their
utmost.
"Oh! OH" filed the air as Secretary
Avery stood good naturedly the focus of all
eyes. 1t was fully ten minutes before the
gentle murmuring and buzzing had subsided
She did look triiie odd, at least to nine
teenth century woman. Mrs. Ayery's attire
reminded one of the dress of the subjects of
the sultan now resident in Midway
plaisance, The skirt OF blue faille fell a
triie below the knees, where the garment
divided and was caught upa the knee,
leaving the ankles half way up free and un-
fettered. The waist was a loose blouse
with just suspicion of a belt inside. After
the curiosity Of the assembage had been
thoroughly satisfied, the secretary read the
report.
Frances NJ. Steele followed with paper
sketching the work of the society for the
promotion Of physical culture and correct
dress
How Beauty Makes Reform Possible an
object lesson, though not intended for such.
again put the audience in futter Mrs.
Henrietta Russell, 10 whom the subject had
been left for discussion, made striking pic
ture With her classic face and faultless
form arrayed in an adaptation of Greek
drapery, she was herself most forcible ex-
ponent OF the matter on which she spoke
In. Syrian Costume.
Nine Hannah Karan, a native of SYRIA
attired in the native dress, spoke about the
modes of the women of her land
Fashion VS. in Dress paper by Helen
Gilbert Ecob, was succeeded by Annie Jen-
ness Miller, the well known advocate of dress
reform, who talked a bout ''lhe Essentials and
Non essentials of Dress.n
obstacles 10 Improved Dress" )" by Octavia
w. Bates, and talk on Physical Culture
A Necessary Preparation Tor Correct Dress