The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-05-18
THE WOMAN'S CONGRESS.
A LIVELY TIME THEY HAD AT THE
WORLDS FAIR.
Dress Reform Attracted Most Interest and
Wearers of Model Dresses We're Ele-
vated 10 the Speakers Table For
nspection-Brilliant Reception.

CHICAGO, May 16 There were live
ly times today in the several different
simultaneous meetings of all subdi-
visions of the woman's congress in
session in the art palace. The various
balls and even the corridors of the big
structure were crowded with the fair
sex. Topics ranging from dress re-
form to evolution were under discus
sion and each hall had quote of de-
votees, particularly those devoted to
the International Young Women's
Christian association, and order of the
Eastern Star. To secure seats many
reached the hall while their less ea-
terprising sisters were at breakfast.
Mrs. May Wright Sewall pre-.
sided over the department of the
congress on dress reform and it was
here that expectation was on tip.toe.
Lucy Stone, the pioneer reformer
Francis M. Steele, Annie Jennes
Miller, the apostle of the modern
movement, Octavia Bates and Frances
w. Letter, were announced as speak
ers, and a large audience, eager to in
spect the bloomer and divided skirt
in actual service, gathered in the
hall.
A ripple nf excitement passed over
the audience when Mrs. Sewall ad-
vanced on the stage. She wore a
dress reform costume, noticeable re-
form feature being short skirts. Dur
ing the morning Mrs. Sewall was
seen fitting about the corridors greatly
to the admiration of spectators, but
attracted most attention when she ad-
vanced to the stage in Columbus hall
and took the stand beside Charlotte
Emerson Brown. She wore closely
fitting dark tlue dress, with
full dress skirts about IS
in ches from the ground. Bel
low the dress and encasing servicable
walking shoes were high blue gait
ers A number of others wore simi-
lar costumes. Mrs. Lucy Stone, in
giving "reminiscences of early dress
reform. told of her own personal ex-
perience in bloomer costume in efete
Boston, and her labors in the reform
uON6u0It, WlIh VII uOI 10
inseperably connected.
There was general straining of
necks and simultaneous uprising of
bonnets when the president an
nounced that owing to the absence of
Frances Russell, that lady's report
would be read by Rachael Foster
Avery. secretary of the council. Sec
retary Avery is one of the ultra re-
formers, and the audience seemed to
know it. The lady stood behind the
presidents table with the report in
her hand all ready to read, but the
ladies would not have it that way.
"Stand on the table," spoke one
brave little woman, and she was in
stantly thanked by hundreds of pairs
of eyes.
"Oh, Oh !" filled the air as Secre-
tary Avery stood smilingly and good
naturedly the focus of all eyes. 1t was
fully 10 minutes before the gentle
murmuring and buzzing subsided.
She did look trifle odd at least to
nine-tenths OF the country women.
Mrs. Avery's attire reminded one OF
the dress OF the subjects of the sultan
who are Willing away time in Mid
way plaisance. The skirt of blue
flannel fell trifle below the knees
where the garment divided and was
caught up at the knee leaving the
ankles half way up free and unfetter-
ed. The waist was a loose blouse
with Just a suspicion of a belt inside.
After the curiosity of the assembly was
thoroughly satisfied the secretary
read the report. Mrs. Henrietta
Russell made striking picture, with
her classical appearance and faultless
form she appeared to great advantage
in dress reform. Several papers were
read.
Immediately after adjournment
Henrietta Russell, she OF Grecian
dropery, and Mrs. Bertha M. Smith
were besieged with devotees of new
in dress and both ladies were obliged
| to give curious femininity the secrets
of their dress makeup. The meeting
was a pronounced success.
In hall No. Z the ladies of the Order
of the Eastern Star talked of the
mutual influence of secret societies
and the women in hall No. 8, repre-
sentstives of the International com
mittee of the Young Women's Chris
tian association, met and reviewed
the work of their society.
The climax of the day was the re-
ception in honor of the delegates tt
cong ress by the board of lady man
ayers of the Worlds fair, and dis
! tinguished guests of the general fed
Grafton of Woman's clubs, at the Wes
End Woman's club at the Illinois clut
house on Ashland avenue, and wal
beyond doubt the most notable socia
i g., lotion thot hos thun for marked thF