The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-13
ALICE NAY HA.nAH IN TIGHTS.
Coarse People MAY Talk About Her
bas She IL Not Immodest-

Coarse People MAY Talk About Her.
bias She IL Not Immodest-
The excitement At Spokane over the
marriage OF A II. Cannon has subsidized,
and the town is all worked Up over the
case of Alice May Harrah. Alice having
announced her intention Of assuming the
male part Of Grenechieux in an amateur
production of The Chimes Of Normandy"
in which she would wear tights. the Spo-
kane Reriese took her TO task, saying IL
would be indelicate for her TO dress rs
Grenechieux on the stage. The Chronicle
announces, however, that "Miss Harrah
will sing; she will not be biuffed out Her
many friends and the Spokane public are
delighted. Public opinion 10 run
ming high on the subject, the
Chronicle says. Miss Harrah is
social favorite in Spokane. and
il. beside, 90 well proporsioned that she
viii make very pleasing male figure be-
fore the footiights. Spokane has not been
30 stirred since Judge Turner called Henry
L. Wilson damned little demagogue"
at public meeting. Miss Harrah is ahead
thus far, the Reriew not daring to reply TO
this letter from her. published in the
Chronicle:
1.-THE leading editorial In the ResieH this
morning Is framed upon the understandable
assumption that there Is an inherent i'm
modesty in the idea of woman taking a
male part in dramatic performance. In
order 10 disabuse certain people of this
idea and at the same time to vindicate my
self from charge. the animus OF which /
am At . loss to understand, crave permits
sion to make the following explanation
when was first asked to take the part
of Grenechieux / was disposed to decline.
not that / felt that IL would be in any
sense an indicate act, but because am
aware OF the existence IN every COM
munity OF class of coarse people who
contrive by the help of their own vile
imaginations TO clothe the most innocent
act with an imputation of immodesty. /
was encouraged TO believe, however, by
the representations Of my friends and by
my own knowledge Of the people OF this
community that there was sufficiently
large preponderance of good and worthy
people in Spokane to justify me in the be-
lief that my taking of this part would be
appreciated aud the motives under
stood without prejudice. You can
imagine, therefore, my surprise when
l found the editor of the Re-
cast n reflection upon the purity of my in
tentions- l do not wish to provoke Q
further discussion OF this matter in the
public prints. for recognize that woman
Is at disadvantage when she seeks to de-
fend herself against an antagonist who is
capable. with newspaper at his back. of
INDUCING in the unbiushing effrontry ex-
hibited In this mornings editorial. I
therefore shall decline to add To this single
explanation to the public. At the same
time. ! cannot permit such an imputation
10 remain upon my character and motives,
and l therefore announce that j shall
cheerfully and voluntarily assume the
role of Grenechieux and thereby appeal TO
the public OF Spokane to decide whether
or not the assumption Of the part involves
any departure from the true standard Of
modesty and deiicacy which should char
acterizo the conduct of woman"