The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-18

CIVlllAGQ society mas uldQG Hucn amuSe-
ment for the people Of Washington. It
does not make a bit of difference to
them whether the Texas congressman
wears a dress suit or not. Even If
there were danger that his example
would prove contagious, no one would
care a rap. The dress coat does not
make society. Society made the dress
coat, and would quickly discard it for
good and sufficient reason.
JEFFERSONIAN SIMPLICITY.
These things change from time to
time. The silk hat, which Mr. Bailey
derides, is only a century old, and in
that century it has taken a hundred
shapes. A century ago jefferson, the
father Of Democracy, wore silk stock
ings, knee breeches and silver buckled
shoes to clothe his neither limbs. JEFF
ferson was stiekler for simplicity. III
these days 1 am afraid he would be
called by that word of recent origin-a
crank" on the subject. He cared so
little for formality that he abolished
the levees which Washington had es-
tablished, much to the discontinue Of
those who made UP the, Society of
the newly founded, struggling capital.
One afternoon they determined to pro-
test against deprivation Of the courtly
Official reception, and a party Of gay
young lads and gayer lasses called at
the presidents house and waited for
Jefferson's return. He came from his
daily horseback exercise and strobe
into the room in dusty coat and riding
boots. So scant was his courtesy thar
his visitors made a quick departure
And they did not return.
Jetferson's impressive plainness was
partly assumed and for a purpose He
came into office confronting a condi-
ton of national discontent-a feeling
which had spread all over the country
that the republic was drifting toward
royalism. The court etiquette of Wash
fngton's two administrations, retain
ed by Adams, had impressed the peo-
pie with the idea that the government
was approaching monarchy, that per-
haps the blood of the Revolution had
been paid merely for an exchange of
kings-the one across the water for
one at home. Jefferson saw this condi-
ton and met 1t in so emphatic a, man
ner that since his time there has been
no question of divinity hedging the
president of the United States.
Certain social obligations Of a semi
official character are demanded of every
public man, and it is unfortunate that
a leading member of the house, should
feel that he cannot accept an invita-
ton to dinner from the president of
the United States because he chooses
to differ from his fellows in the matter
of dress.
Possibly Mr.. Bailey feels some embar-
TaSSment QhOIlf the 6rnSG
he is not familiar with the code govern
ing 1t. Many men fall into ridicule be-
cause they don't know when a dress
coat should be worn. Some years ago
a congressman, known as "a statesman
among ball players and a ball player
among statesmen" wore a dress coat
to the White house in the morning and
made himself the butt of Washington.
W hen the Ancient and Honorable ArtiI-
lery of Boston was in London last year.
many OF the members wore dress suits
to a garden party.
DRESS OF WESTERN MEMBERS.
Most Of the Southern members con-
form to the rules of society when they
go out to formal entertainments here.
The Western members are the least
particular of all the public men in
Washington. Yet, strange tc say, the
West furnishes the most strikingly
dressed members of both house and
senate.
Mr.. Wolcott, Of Colorado. is the SEN
ator who attracts attention by his
style of dress. His clothing is finely
made. and he seems to have inexhaus-
tbIe supply Of it. No enc knows where
his list of garments ends, for no man
who did not have a good memory and
fix his mind on the subject would know
that Mr.. WOleott ever wore a coat
twice. He has a valet to look after
his clothing and his so pairs of shoes.
No other member of congress has daz-
Zled Washington with a Valet except
Harry Miner, late a member from New
ork. Miner paralyzed his friends bv
registering in Syracuse at the time Of q
convention, H. Clay Miner and valet. -
and the next guest, in a spirit of fun.
registered, James Jones and valise. .
This bit OF pleasantly was taken up
by an English writer in all seriousness
and made the text for a dissertation
on the ignorance of Americans.
The member of the house who is at
tracing attention by his STYLE of dress
is James H. Lewis. of Washington who
received some votes for vice presi-
dent in the last national Democratic
convention. L saw Mr.. Lewis in the
lobby OF the Arlington hotel a few
nights ago in silk hat and dress sniff.
with shining patent feathers on his
feet. He was not arrayed for social
conquest. but was stroIIing around
killing time. The following day Mr..
Lewis appeared in the house with
shapely trousers we'll creased and
hands daintily glOved. His coat was
of fashionable cut. Since that day Mr..
Lewis has entertained the house with
succession of we'll made suits Of
clothing, each appropriate to the hour
and occasion on which it was worn. A
few years ago Mr.. Lewis was hustling
freight at the docks in Taeoma-work-
ing as a stevedore. He was a LAWYER.
but he had no practice He was with
out friends. and he had to earn a
HVlng in some manner. Now Mr. Lewis
has friends and large legal practice.
Of course Mr.. Lewis is the subject or
some pleasant banter from his col
leagues because of his dress. But I am
quite sure none of them thinks any
the less of him because he is fashion
ably attired.
Since his return. after two years Of
retirement from public life, Jerry Simp-
son has been seen wearing knee
breeches and golf stockings. for he en-
joys cycling.
Daniel Webster used to wear a shad
belly coat with brass buttons. In re-
cent years Senator CQnger. of Michi-
gan, wore a coat like this.Fand Senator
Chace, Of Rhode Island. who was a
Quaker, wore shad belly coat with
sober buttons of black. There Is no
eccentric dress to be seen in the SEN
ate today. Some senators wear frock
coats; some wear cutaway coats. and
some dress in the sack coat, which is
supposed to be sacred to business use.
Few Of them cultivate variety. They
wear coats Of the same style all
through the winter and spring, ex-
chaging them for silk or alpaca coats
in the summer No senator Is seem
without his coat, even on the hottest