The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1895-06-12
KNOWN BY THEIR HATS.
Congress,nan's Head Covering Generally
Tells From What Se.tion He Comes,

Congresssnan's Head Covering Generally
Tells From What Seetion He Comes.
The southern congressman would
almost as soon think of changing his
politics as changing his SLOUGH hat.
It is true there are some exceptions,
but these exceptions are usually
among members who have been in
congress for years and who have ac-
commodated themselves to the fash
ions that belong to the cast. The now
member from the south can be de-
tected Immediately by the black
sombrero and style of his clothing.
The full skirted black frock coat and
low out vest showing an extensive
shirt front are still worn by the
young and ambitious statesmen who
wish to patronize tho style of SO
years ago, and whose. CLOTHES seem
to be cut according to the fashion
represented i'll pictures and portraits
of congressman of hat period. After
tho new member Mas been in Wash
ington year or two he generally
conforms to the prevailing fashion
as far as his coat and trousers are
concerned, but he seldom yields to
the demand of fashion so far as to
forswear the black SLOUGH hat.
There are few of these southern
mon now in congress who have
yielded to the influences of northern
and eastern surroundings SO far as
to wear a high silk hat. They have
done so at considerable risk to their
standing among their colleagues and
to their reputation at homo. Tho
southerners always speak of the silk
hat as a "beaver." Representative
Tyler of Virginia, son of the lato
President Tyler, is ono Of the old
time southern members. He was
advised by a friend to purchase u
beaver" and conform to the pre-
vailing style in Washinstons
"No, sir" said Mr. Tyler. IF I
were to wear q beaver and my con.
stituents down in Virginia were to
hear Of it, that would DO tho end Of
my career Us representative.
One of tho exceptions to wearing
the black SLOUGH hat is Representa-
tive Catohings Of Mississippi, who
either appears on the streets in
derby or in shining silk tile. But
when Mr.. Catchings visits his dis
tricts down south he appears among
his noighbors and constituents in
the regulation soft hatof antobcllum
days.
Representative Grain of Texas is
another exception to tho general
rule. All of the other members of
the Texas delegation, including both
senators, wear nothing but tho
broad bri1nmed black hat and can.
not be induced to change their style.
Mr.. Grain has mado a concession to
the custom Of tho north SO far us to
wear d silk hat continually. He has
been reelected to congress, SO that
it is not proved that descrtion @
the sombrero of tho south means til
political demise Of statesman from.
that section.
Western congressman often wear
stiff derby hats, but very few Of
them put on tho moro snowy silken
tile. When they do, they make Thorn.
selves liable to the criticism of their
colleagues and constituents, who
look upon a man who wears a high
silk hat as being stuck up" There
are some of them who when away
from tho eyes Of their immediate
constituents are apt to discard tho
dress of tho west for the more fash
ionable attire that is supposed to be
worn in tho east.
For the most part tho mon from
the middle and Now England states
conform to tho general idea Of what
is the proper dress at different hours
of tho day. Their headdross is usual
ly selected after consultation of
recognized authorities of fashion,
and there are probably more silk
hats worn by members east of the
Alleghanies and north of the Poto-
mac than among all the other con-
gressmen- put together. There are
different, varieties of silk hats, how
ever, and it is not difficult to dis
tinguish the different localities from
which the members como.
A Philadelphia member wears
what might be termed a "conserva-
tive" hat. 1t is eminently respecta-
bic, but its block is sometimes sug-
gestive Of those prevailing some
years ago. New Workers appear in
the newest, shiniest and most ex-
travagant styles. But in New Eng
land they do not seem to care very
much about the style as long as their
head covering is of tho 'stovopipe"
order. philadelphia Press.
Eject Of the Sea Upon Animals.