The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-13
CRINOLINE OPINIONS.
Senator's and Representatives Give
Their Views on The Subject.

and Wearing or the ArC1CleS.
From the Washington Star.
Shirts grow wider and the walk around
them is longer. Hoops are on sale in
Fifth avenue establishments patronized
nv swell women, and the skirts of gowns
brought from Paris are found to demand
some support more stanch than silk and
starched underskirts. OF course con-
gressional gentlemen are not expected to
be fully posted on all these details, but
they are observing men and mark the
strange appearance of women in these
latter DAYS. Congressman and senators are
supposed to have opinions on all subjects
from Jack rabbits to the latest discov-
cries in the astral business, and crinoliue
and hoops come within these limits.
It was Senator Ransom of North Caro-
lima who found himself penned in n corner
nj fine rotunda of the southerners favor
tie hotel by four fair young women who
insisted on finding out Just where the
senator stood on the hOOpslIirt question
,,NOw. girls, don't you know you ought
not to ask me such question? What do
I know about crinoline and hOopskirts,
anyhow
HYou know whether you like them or
not and YOU also know that many q
wilder subject than these has been brought
to the attention of congress in the last
few wears, and if skirts keep extending
at the present rate some precious congress
si0nal crank or dress reformer will in
troduce a measure destined to regulate
the sale and wearing of the articles; and
what stand would you take then?n
When Mr.. Ransom had it duly impressed
on his mind that "hoOps' were on the
way 'sure huff" he turned on the girls
with, "Now, what do you want those
things for2"
why, don't you think they are becotn-
ing?" encouraged the girls, and the Sena-
tor. between his desire to be extremely
gallant and his antipathy to hoops, STAN
mered, lost his urbane dignity and blurted
out: 80, if you girls must wear 'em, why
wear ZEN then. OF course l want a
woman TO be happy and wear just what
she wants, but I can't see for the life Of
me why she wants to look like o bell
buoy, and-well, nobody ever looked nice
in those contrivances. OF course, if |
had to consider the question in open ses-
sion I'd vote with the ladies, which ever
way that was But if it was in secret
session I'd vote to imprison every manu-
facturer Of the despicable articles. Now,
are you Satisled?' and the girls looked
so ticklcd at the senator's lecture that
MIR. Ransom began to plume himself on
his own opinions.
Senator Wolcott, the eloquent orator
from Colorado, was too busy to enter into
details. But he stopped as if shot while
one Of his double-deck breezy western
smiles went careening down the corridor
and the senator looked as if he had some
very learned opinions that were not de-
signed for publication. If you must know
al 1Nif #
difference to me whether hoops run the
country or not as long as the women who
wear them are nice. Would | make a
q speech on them Well, | might if any
body was so foolish as to try to deprive
women OF their rights to rule their own
clothes. But l hope nobody is so foolish
as to try that
If you want to get satisfactory answer
out Of a man catch him after the second
round of a satisfactory lunch in the Sen
ate cafe. That is about where Senator
PETER was when the hoop subject was
mentioned 10 him. His long and famous
whiskcrs were done up in one of Mr.
Pages napkins and tucked like a talent
carefully away, and on the senator's eye
glasses shonc a look of ineffable content
ment. His eyes sparkled at the sugges-
ton of the Senate being confronted by a
proposition to lcgislatC on the hOOpskirt
craze lie seemed to scent battle affair.
Yes sir answered the famous Kansan.
Il believe in the Senate looking after
such questions, but believe that hoops
and all kindred topics ought to be con-
sidered in secret session, =" and Mr.. PETER
waved his knife triumphantly in the air,
and several other senators looked as if
they thought Mr.. PETER had had bril-
liant idea
Mr. PETER isn't like other senators who
OBJECT TO anybody trying to say what
women shall wear. There's Senator ShOup
OF Idaho. Mr.. Shoup isn't afraid of any
thing that can shoot back and doesn't
even finch at bar" but when the idea
was suggested that somebody might foist
an anti-hOopskirt bill on the Senate the
Idaho senator grew pale and declared he
would get excused from attendance dur
ing the discussion and the vote. When
pressed he acknowledged that he thought
women could look after themselves and
Their own dry goods and that mems only
province IN that connection is to pay the
bills" On hoops themselves the senator
was shyer still, only he would admit that
he was afraid if men tried to issue edicts
on what women might wear the time
might come when the tables would be
Ihrned and men would find old scores
counted up against them.
A SENATORIAL MEDICAL OPINION.
A medical man has an opinion ready on
about every question under the glowing
sun, and Senator Gallinger of New Hamp-
shire, of course, looked at hoops with
professional eyes as well as with an eye
or two of beauty. On tho score of OBJ
SIfuctlons to transportation he thought
lne Senate had power to order hoops out
Oh practice. From medical standpoint
the doctor, and hero, of course, the sena-
Tor doctor is an authority, advised women
TO let them alone. But with all these
considerations weighing down the anti
SIDE OF the seals the doctor hated 10 come
Out Ike brave man and declare himself
AGAINST them. If the women want hoops
!et them have them. The senator thinks
IL Is enough to regulate affairs of state in
ms locality and keep peace generally,
without mourning the enmity of the wives
OF all his constituents by meddling with
tHelr dressmaking arrangements.
-, indeed, if all the dressmakers and all
the hoopskirt promoters in the country
mad crossed the senatorial palms or
worked the lobby the sentiment couldn't
De much more in favor Of leaving women
70 night it out with hoops than it is. If
d! the same good men were in favor of
GIVING women the right to settle the suf-
rage question for themselves Susan g.,
MISS Willard and all the other good equal
rights women would be stufiing the ballot
Jokes next year without any interference.
gnYate John Allen Of Mississippi can
uoQge any question that has two sides to
IT, nut on hoopskirts he feels strongly.
IL Ism his wan ,,Ciot Tho hTiCciaqi7,Diap