The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1895-06-13
BlOomsrs In Chlearo.

prophet has appeared in Chicago.
II was time that one came from some
where. The rights of man were being
assaiIed, 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
seen in public riding bicycles without
long skirts to denote their feminine in
feriority. 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 sensibilities of the men who
lined themselves up along the roadsides
to catch every possible glimpse of the
passing figures, and make themselves
expert witnesses as to the brazen nature
of the exhibition.
A large part of the community were
unaccountably callous to this new OUT
break of depravity. But Chicago has a
citizen who realized the danger, and was
equal to the occasion. sBath House
John'' knew the insidious evil wrought
by the new bicycle costumes. He has a
finger on the moral pulse OF Chicago,
and is quick to notice any disturbance.
He has penetrated the secret motive
actuating the offending women. They
pretend that they are anxious to take ex-
ercise, that bicycle riding is more pleas
ant, more healthful and less dangerous
on wheel of the diamond-frame pat
tern, which forbids the use of long skirts.
They make various excuses tending to
give the impression that they wear
knickerbockers entirely from utilitarian
motives. But sBath House John"
knows better. He understands that
they are seeking to invade masculine
rights and take unto themselves male
attire, which intention, as he says, sis
Disguised by the friends of this raging
craze by the name of bloomers and
knickerbockers." Moreover, Chicago,
being particularly staid, modest and
virtuous town, feels quickly the evil
wrought by demoralizing habit, and
"Bath House John" says that "the craze
has assumed such proportions that it
menaces the public morals of this good
city" Accordingly, he proposes to stop
it. Being city legislator, he believes
in doing it by passing law, as was
done several years ago in city which
objected to the Mother Hubbard, and he
has drawn up bill forbidding "any
female person" to appear on the high
ways of the city attired in "bloomers,
knickerbockers, baseball attire or
trousers"
We hope that the Chicago common
council will give this subject serious con-
sideration. It should not be referred,
as has been suggested, to the committee
on smoke, though the bIoomerclad
woman may soon be caught smoking,
but the question raised should be settled
with Chicago's usual directness and good
taste. After having decided that a
gentleman should not tuck his napkin
in the srmholes of his waistcoat in pre-
ference to tying it around his neck, and
settled the controversy whether or not
"a gent in full dress at the opera in a
Fedora hat is lin line and dressed
proper" Chicago may well go on to de-
stermine more points of etiquette. The
status of the bloomer costume Is still un-
eettled. 1t is fashionable in Paris and
London, but the world waits for Chicago
before giving approval. Besides, let the
questions of morals not be forgotten.
These foreigners are depraved lot, and
their woman have little sense of pro.
priety. 1t is high time that some true
Puritan and American like ssBath
House" John Coughlin came forward tc
protect the virtue and dignity of Ameri
can womanhood.- York Tribune.
DIED at Mosier.