New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-02
RLOOMERS IN CHICAGO.

A prophet has appeared in Chicago 1t was
time that one came from somewhere. The rights
Of man were being assailed. and the morals Of
the country were being endangered. The badge
Of masculine supremacy was being stolen by
women, and they were actually to be seel in pub
lie riding bicycles without long skirts to denote
their feminine infer;ority. That was an outrage
which threatened the sanctity Of the home and
the established order Of society," and. worst OF
all shocked the modesty and delicate sensbli-
ties OF the men who lined themselves up along
the roadsdes to catch every possible glimpse
OF the passing figures. and make themselves ex-
pert witnesses as to the brazen nature Of the
exhibition.
A large part Of the community were unaccount.
ably callous to this outbreak Of depravity.
But Chicago has a citizen who realized the dam
ger. and was equal to the occasion. Bath
House John knew the insidious evil wrought
by the new bicycle costumes. He has finger
on the moral pulse of Chicago. and is quick to
notice any disturbance. He has penetrated the
secret motive actuatng the offending women.
They pretend that they are anxious TO take ex-
ercise that bicycle riding is more pleasant moro
healthful and less dangerous on a wheel OF the
diamond-frame pattern which forbids the use OF
long skirts. They make various excuses tending
to give the impression that they wear kncker.
bockers entirely from utilitar.an motives. But
Bath House John" knows better He under
stands that they are seeking to invade mascu-
line rights and take unto themselves male attire.
which intention, as he says. lis disguised by the
friends Of this raging craze by the name OF
boomers and knickerbockers.' Moreover Chi
cago being a particularly staid. modest and
yirtuous town. feels quickly the evil wrought BY
n demoralizng habit and Bath House John"
saws that "the craze has assumed such proper.
'tions that il menaces the public morals Of this
good city" Accordingly, he proposes to stop 1t.
Being a city legislator he believes In doing 1t by
passing a law as done several years ago in
city which objected 20 the Mother Hubbard,
and he has drawn up bill forbidding ANY female
person" tc appear on the highways OF the city
attlred In "bloomers. knickerbockers. baseball
| attire trousers
We hope that the Chicago Common Council
| will give this subject serious consideration II
should not be referred. as has been suggested. to
the Committee or Smoke, though the boomer
clad woman may soon be caught smoking. but
the question raised should be settled with Chi
cago's usual directness and good taste. After
having decided that a gentleman should not tuck
hi, napkin in the armhoes OF his waistcoat in
! preference to tying II around his neck and
settled the controversy whether or not "a gent In
full dress at the opera in Fedora hat is in line
land dressed proper" Chicago may well go on to
determine more points Of etiquette. The status
OF the boomer costume is still unsettled 1t IS
fashionable IN Paris and London. but the world
waits for Chicago before giving approval Be.
sides. let the questions OF morals not be forgot
ten These foreigners are depraved lot ana
their women have little sense Of propriety. It
| is high time that some true Puritan and Amen-
can like Bath House John Coughlin came fors
ward to protect the virtue and dignity OF Amer
| can womanhood.