Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-05-16
.IMMopEsT DRESSING
The Lady of the White House Defines Her
Position ON Delicate Subject

TosiIoh ON DoiIcafe Sut1ect.
Miss Cleveland, having been sharply
criticised for encouraging immodest
dressing in society, lady sends the
following letter to the Boston Tran
script which she received from Miss
Cleveland IN response to q note OF in
quiry on the subject:
IL am very glad you havespoken to
me about this matter, for it gives an
opportunity to you, and through you
perhaps to Others, what have long
wished but have had no opportunity
to say. The newspaper statement
with regard to my 'immodest dress
and It's influence in encouraging shock
ing scarcity OF waists and sleeves IN
other women's dress, has been sent me
several times with accompanying com
ments, but always anonymously, SO.
that | have been unableto reply had /
deemed the animus of communication
honest enough to justify an honest re.
Spouse. That has not always been
4 the case. But to-day received a
note from person who speaks of
himself as an aged clergyman, who
signs his full name to the communica-
( ton, and seems to be genuinely con-
cerned and friendly, although / can
scarcely reconcile tibet interest and
true respect with which he signs him
self as consistent with the credence
which he has given, apparently, to the
statement which forms the occasion of
his protest. should hardly feel true
interest or true respect for person
whom believed to be doing what the
newspaper slip represents me to
be doing, namely, using the brief
prominence of my position to
encourage habits in dress and
manners which are suhversive of
whatsoever things are pure, lovely,
honest, and OF good report. Such /
believe the immodest dress of some
few society women to be, and against
suchimmodesty i have made that 81
lent protest which it is every woman's
right and duty to make by having my
own dress waist cut in a style, which,
so far as modesty is concerned, !
should be quite willing to have all
women, to whom this style OF dress is
becoming and comfortable, follow.
II approve OF evening dress which
shows neck and arms. do not APP
prove of any dress which shows the
) bust. Between the neck and bust
there is line always to be drawn, and
il is as clear TO the most frivolous
society woman as to the anatomists
This line need never be passed, a and
fashionable woman's low necked dress
need never be immodest. If it is so, il
is because she prefers to be so. 1t is
wholly false, so far as have observ-
ed. that a shocking scarcity Of
waists and sleeves mark the gowns Of
society women This is sadly and pain
fully true OF few society women, and
it is indeed shocking, nauseating, re
voting and deserving Of the utmost
denunciation on the score OF morality
beauty, health, and every other con
sideration which good men and WON
EN- would conspire to preserve and ex
: act. There is need OF very few words
on the subject and no argu
ment. Any American woman car
wear the waist of her evening dress VI
TO the lobes OF her ears il she likes
There is no queen to command her ap
pearance in low corsage. She car
also, alas so contrive her dress thai
by the exl osure of her person all tru'
social ethics, and aesthetics as well
are reyolted. Between the two Their
is an appropriate and beautiful anc
modest meal, which all can. if the,
/ will, follow"