Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-12-10
ANoTHER REFORM.


that since DR.. PARKHURsT won his great
victory over Tammany New York has
become a hot-bed Of moral crusaders.
1t is the fashion to try to reform some
thing now. and the lOng-haired men
and short-haired women Of the metrop-
oils are in full cry, each after his or her
particular hobby.
One Of the latest reform movements
is the crusade against evening dress.
This grew out OF another war which
had been inaugurated against the ex-
hibitions OF nudity, more or less
artistic, known as living pic
lures. The head ana front
Of this movement is Lady HENRY SOM
ERsEr, an Englishwoman OF position
and wealth. and doubtless the best Of
intentions, but With distressing fond
ness for seeing her name in print. She
has been very Successful 10 this re-
spect, and the same fortune is attend
ing the good women in their campaign
against low necks and short sleeves.
The New York papers are filed with
interviews on these burning Questions,
1t makes no difference that living pict-
ures had hopelessly palled upon
the public taste aud that the
wickedness Of decollete gowns has
been q stock subject OF attack from zeal
Gus pulpiteers and sensitive writers
male aud female, since time when the
memory Of msn runneth not TO the con-
trary. Evening dress occupies aposition
precisely similar to dancing and theatre
going, which every now and then We
are told are the chosen weapons Of the
Evil One. Yet good people keep on fire.
quentlng the theatre and pure girls and
sober minded young men fud dancing
one Of the chief delights Of social life.
Ministers Of good repute have witnessed
the performances Of EDWIN BOOTH and
MARY ANDERSON without conscious
ness Of wrong. and their memories of
PATTI, JENNY LIND aud other singers
are among the pleasantest and most in
noceDt Of their lives. Undoubtedly
those who feel that it is sinful TO wear
gowns that expose neck and arms
ought TO clothe themselves differently.
A wanton exhibition of charms that
good taste directs should be kept con-
cealsd is offensive. Buta beautiful neck
and a graceful pair Of arms may be eft
uncovered with all innocence and pro-
priety. The same rule will apply to
dancing and may even DO stretched TO
tbe habit Of novel, reading 10 which
some persons indulge regardless Of their
eternal welfare Bat however proper
these things may be for private admoni-
ton or even priestlY counsel they can
hardly be galvanized into evils of sufli-
Client Importance to inspire great popu-
lar movements Of opposition.
The world is full Of wrongs that bold
spirits and stout hearts can find and
overthrow. Unfortunately too many
would-be reformsrs ride forth like Don
Quixote, so impatient OF glory that they
spy wicked giants in inofTensive wind
mills and are equally liable to mistake
brazen trollops for beautiful and high
born damsels. Or. PARRHUBsT might
have denounced Jhe bondage Of certain
ribands and gloves" without arousing
more than a passing murmur, though
he Numbered never 50 eloquently. The
old recipe for cooking hares should be
applied TO the inauguration Of reform
movements First catch your hare,
and first be sure that Your evil is Of suf-
dcient Importance TO Justify sounding
the hewgag and beating the tom-tom.
GERMANY has gone into the retalia-
ton business and proposes to impose
prohi6itlve tariff Oh American cotton
seed oil, the importstiOns Of which
in 1893 amounted TO 100000 pounds.
In reporting this fact United states
Consul MERRITT, at Bremen, saws:
had hoped 70 be able to report that
there was a sincere desire on the part Of
the German people 70 Join with the people
OF the United States in a mutual effort for
the extension of the commerce Of both
countries, but the foregoing, together
with the recent edict against American
beef, would indicate 70 certain extent
different attitude In this country toward
the enlargement Of sales Of American
products.
RAILROAD oMNERsnIP.