Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1895-10-16

A Marion County Girl Makes War
on the Skirt.

Through the columns Of your worthy
paper, l thought, though rather late
In the season, would write a few
lines on that subject as think II
worthy Of discussion. IL is a subject
that needs TO be stirred up. One can
scarcely pick up paper but there is
some ridlcule about the bloomer girl.
They are also confronted with the ad-
vanced woman, Now the advanced
woman is not an advocate for bloomers.
II she were the subject would be widely
discussed.
1 think you will find more womanly
women in bloomers than those wear
ing the skirts for the bicycle use.
1t is Hot the bloomer girl that needs
the lesson in modesty. 1t Is the men.
II men were not corrupt In their
thoughts women could do as they
pleased. Did you poor, modest man,
ever see a girl simper and giggle, and
With an insinuatlng smile look at
your ankle when you turn your pants
up at the bottom? Not for comfort,
but because some poor weak minded
man in England does II? Do women
object when men make themselves
comfortable 10 loose shirts and sweat
ere? Do we object to be mimIcked by
by your wearing the "Wlllieboy" coatP
Do we object to the comfortable long,
loose, dressing jacket Do we even
make one murmur 10 your fastening
your cuffs with ribbons, or your scant
bathing suits? No.
We are not ss selfish race as you
are. You men see nothing wrong In
our ballets, fiatter a woman in full
dress, but at the mention Of bloomers
hold up your hands In horror. My
dear man, try 1t tonight when you go
homei quietly slip away from your
family for half an hour, 60 to your
wife's room and try on all these things
you admire. Try on the instrument OF
torture, the correct; fasten some five
bands around your waist and don't for
get to put on the skirts-there IL
nothing like them for comeort-then
go out in your one legged bloomer and
try to catch the car. Go to the nearest
bicycle store and take few lessons In
mounting and dismouRting In skirts
and II you are not then an advocate for
comfortable bloomers then we will give
them up.
] should like to hear tine good, honest
opinion Of man that has tried this, /
and would be pleased 10 receive an
answer through the columns OF THE
JOURNAL; and then boys, those who
want to marry, think Of the saving In
dressmakIng bills and millinery bills,
too, for we only want plain hat to be
In keeping with our bloomers. We do
not want to torture you with specl-
men of the coming woman. All we
want Is comfort. We do not want you
to forget we are still women-s weet,
gentle and feminine.
Women are physically weaker than
men. Then why should she wear
clothes that will weigh her down?
Woman clothes tend more TO making
her old and wrinkled than anything,
She Ia the slave Of cloth, Sho carries
1t least 10 pounds more clothing than
men, and all the weight comes from
The waist. Now, my dear men, when
your wife comes home tired, don't
blame her for complaining. Think of
In your Office, In your store,
he salesman. the carpenter, each do.
ng their work with those heavy shirts
'n. Get your wives bloomers for the
bicycles, for their homework, aud
when they 60 on the street. II they
'hoose to slip skirt over them, they
ire stlll the blooming blOomered wo
nan, and you will see more bloom OF
youth in those cheeks than you have
'een In the whole blooming time she
vas bloomerless.
(Sisned) STAYToN.
Fiester's Sentence.