The Indianapolis journal., 1896-01-29

Indt clVliized man Is a slave 10 MS
clothes is a fact too plain for dispute by
any candid person, though it is not every
man who is willing to acknowledge the
truth. Some bear the tyranny so alb
jectly that they even profess to love
their chains. Men are actually found
who declare that the high and boardlike
linen collar is most admirable and
satisfactory form OF neckwear even in
midsummer; advocates of the merits Of
stiff Derby and "stovepipe" hats are
numerous, while citiZens-those mostly
quite youthful-who affect to fild COM
fort apd aesthetic attractions in the
dress Suit are not uncommon. But, for
the most part, the male being accepts
the DEGREES of fashion with secret pro-
test, though without faintest thought of
outward rebellion. He knows that col
lar and cuffs of sheetiron stiffness are
instruments of torture, but has his daily
struggle in donning them with never a
move to escape from his thraldom. He
submissively wears a stiff felt hat with
a high crown or low, a narrow rim or
wide-whatever the shopkeeper assures
him is the Every latest"-and tries to
assume an air of careless confidence
which is contradicted by the sheepish
consciousness that no head covering
could possibly be less becoming. He ar
rays himself in his dress suit fully aware
that he will be awkward and uncom-
Portable until he can lay 1t off, but is
humble and even cheerful in the thought
that it is the correct thing. He wears
heavy woolen garments with the ther-
mometer at ninety, knowing that cotton
or silk would be more sensible; he wears
an abbreviated coat or one with tails
almost trailing on the ground, trousers
wide or narrow, with a crease or with
out, as his tailor may elect. He has, in
short, this average man, no mind of his
own so far as his wardrobe is concerned;
he lacks the courage of his convictions,
but follows an arbitrary rule as a sheep
follows the rest of the flock through a
hole in the fence.
But at last there is hope for enslaved
man. One Of his kind has risen in re-
volta Congressman, and therefore a
man Of whom much may be expected.
Mr.. Bailey, of Texas. not only disre-
CARDS those behests of fashion that fail
to please him, but boldly declares his
defiance of them. Women are often
urged by condescending masculine men
tors to find a style of attire becoming to
them individually, and, having done so.
to adopt it permanently. If Mr.. Bailey
ever offered this advice to his female
friends and relatives he is consistent
plicable TO his own case and to practice
what he breaches. Years ago he found
a style of black broadcloth suit that
pleased him and was becoming to him.
What was becoming once must be sc
now, he naturally argues; at all events
it is still comfortable; he likes 1t. his
wife likes it, and he continues to get
new suits OF the same ancient cut as
occasion requires. 1t suits him, and what
he wears is nobody elses business SC
long as he conforms to the law of the
land and wears something, he eloquently
proclaims. His colleagues and light
| minded society dudes may guy him II
they see fit. but he will be Independent
so he will, though others be too cowardly
| to break their bonds The circumstance
| that Mr.. Bailey is from Texas may in
| terfere somewhat with his influence or
| his associates from the conventional anc
effete East, but at least he may show
| them what nerve and daring may accom-
plish, and thus pave the way for a re-
form movement that will eventually en-
| franchise man from hampering fashion:
and so give his mental and physica
powers the opportunity for development
which they have hitherto lacked.