The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-21
GALLANT MAYOR.
Atehison's Official Head, Bale,
Waggener Refuses to Sign
A "High Hat" Ordinance Pass
ed By Council.
WOMEN TO JU DGE
Marnr Maoranar Declares 1t a
WOMEN TO JUDGE
Mayor Waggener Declares 1t a
Violation of Liberty.
Should Wear What Becomes
Them, He Says.

Atchison. Jan e1--At a recent session
Of the city council OF AtChison 4 nigh
hat ordinance was adopted by an almost
unanimous vote This ordinance has been
vetoed by Mayor e p Wagggner, who is
a lawyer Of great ability His message
which uuqEestfonabIy viii attract wide
spread comment. Is in fun IS follows
To the City Council CT the City OF Atchf-
son
Gentlemen I herewith return ordinance
entitled An ordinance prohibiting the
wearing Of hats at places Of amusement,
without my approval
Iads- TO 20 to a 'theaEer with j hat on of
such dimensions and proportions as 70 OBJ
scure the vision of the Individual Vsf1os Is
SO unfortunate as 70 be located Just pc
hind her Such innovations upon the
proprieties OF life may be found in large
cities Ike Chicago and St Louis where
well the males by law IN the city OF
AtehisOu- however. there exists no neceS-
sity for such an extraordinary exercise
Of power On the part OIL lae mayor allA
council The ladies' of this city are too
co5l74IeEsAl= q oLl-sL P-o11-S : LE--- -7 -
indulge IN any suc1 extra atss-44lcl5s anu
I do not think Il would be showing proper
regard for the nigh Staining ana Sood
sense OF the ladies' OF AJchlson 70 atIez1l pr
TO control them IN the manner Of thar
dress by the provisions OF any ordnance
The constitution OF the JnItad states
among other things provides that No
state shall make or enforce any law
which shall abridge the privileges OF in
rnunitias Of citizens of the United States
nor deny 10 any person WIr111 It's
jurisdiction the equal protection of the
laws
The ordinance seems to me to be IN
just discrimination against the ladies,
and deprives them Of q privilege and an
immunity vouchsafed them by the con-
stiluriOn o. the United States From tine
irnueuoriaI the law Of TIE land has ac-
corded to the ladies of this country the
right TO dress as they pleased In NY
judgment you would have just as much
right to prohibit them from wearing paint
on their cheeks as hats on their heads
In the eastern cities It has been claimed
that the ladies did not wear enough
dress and IL Is hardly proper for Us out
here IN Kansas 70 condemn them because
theE wear too much
Again I think the ordinance Is 700 op-
pressive. and imposes upon the present
John Sea-On) duties and O obligations which
he would not ike to assume 1t would
certainly be very embarrassing to him 10
meet any lady at the door of his opera
house and request her 10 permit him 10
remove her hat. or. after she had taken
her seat in the opera house IL would be
still more embarrassing for him TO request
the lady 10 remove her hat or he would
Be compelled 10 remove her OUT of con
siderations for his feelings. knowing his
m9IeSIy and dffidence II all such mat
contributed 50 much TO the pleasure ana
enjoyment OF the people Of this city BY
the erection Of z magnificent opera house,
! do not think we should impose such
additional burdens upon him
For these reasons I return the ordinance
10 YOU without my approval
(Signed-) b P WAGGENER, Mayor