The record-union., 1897-04-29
BAILEY AND THE SWALLOW-TAIL
COAT.

Representative Bailey Of Texas has
not commanded the respect of any
ight-thinking person by refusing to
attend a dinner given by the President,
and to which he had been invited
among a few other guests, on the
ground that he had no dress suit, did
not wish to get one, and does not like
a dress suit anyhow. That is simply
to say that Mr.. Bailey does not believe
in conforming to the very proper and
usual customs Of good breeding.
There is nothing awful in the dress
suit. Let US see: 1t consists Of the
ordinary style of pantaloons of doeskin
or broadcloth. Indeed, they may be of
tricot or other black material of proper
weight and still be in form. The vest
of broadcloth is exceedingly simple,
plain and severe; it could scarcely be
more So 1t is a collarless, single
breasted. low-cut vest Of broadcloth,
of the same material is the coat, which
instead of being full in front with flap
ping skirts, as is common probably
with Mr. Bailey, is cut away at the
sides to form what is facetiously styled
the swallow tail This, with decently
BACKED boots or shoes, a clean shirt
collar and cuffs and white tie, consti-
tutes the awful dress suit that Mr.. Bal
ley does not like
Perhaps he thinks it would be more
democratic more indicative of Ameri-
can independence, more asserive OF
that charming freedom of movement
of which we have a right to boast, for
guests one invites to his table to come
in their office coats, in coats and panta-
looms smelling Of the stable, or the
molasses cellar, or the shop or the
smoky Office, or Of the tarry odors Of
the wharf jobbing- house What in the
name Of common decency is there arts
tocratic, offensive or unrepublican in
the exceedingly severe black of an
evening costume? What in the name
of common propriety is there wrong in
the custom that guests to an evening
banquet given by the chief officer of
the nation shall honor their host by APP
pearing in a costume distinctly differ
ent from that Of everyday life, and
which by style and exceptional use
shows that the office shop and mart
have been left behind for the hour-a
costume that by common consent has
become rulable; that cannot be i'm
proved upon for simplicity. and is far
and away more sensible, especially
for the table. than a full-skirted and
inconvenient frock. sack or other coat
of everyday wear?
Mr.. Bailey said In reply that he did
not wish to make himself conspicuous
by wearing an unusual dress on any
occasion. That pleaded too much. Had
he gone. and had he worn the con-
ventionaI evening dress, he would not
have been conspicuous. But had he
gone without change of costume he
would have been conspicuous to the
degree ludicrous Mr.. Bailey knows
that to be the truth. wherefore we sus-
pect that by his declination he is posing
LOT erect, ana with some nope OF
catching the palm beats of the gallery.
But the Representative gave out be-
sides that he refused to honor the
Presidents invitation because he did
not propose TO permit society as a
whole, or any of its members as indi-
viduals, to dictate to him what he
should wear. Bless his soul, Mr.. Bailey
is mistaken again. Society, nor yet
any OF its members, care a whoop
what he wears. There has been no
dictation, we take it, in his case. 1t
makes no sort OF difference. we assume,
TO the President of the United States
whether Mr.. Bailey wears anything at
all.
Mr.. Bailey, being a Congressman,
ought to bring with him even from the
wilds of Texas evidence of better breed
ing than an insult to a gentleman who
invites him to dine with him. The
true man, the gentleman respectful OF