New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-05
ETHICS or WHISPERS.
AMERICAN LIBERALITY ON THE BEARD QUESTION
"A NEw-JERsEY LAWSUIT.

AMERICAN LIBERA1.lTY ON THE BEARD QUESTION
"A NEw-JERsEY LAWSUIT
From The New Orleans Picayune
The question of boards has always been ono
in which men have taken the greatest interest
by turns it has been popular or unpopular for
men to adorn their faces with hair. but
greater significance has always attached to it
than to the mere changing of any other fash
ions. In ancient times a beard was marx
OF honor and dignity. In Oriental countries 1t
is still regarded with reverence, and to pluck
man by his beard is the deadliest of insults.
The willy Turk who sells the American made
Turkish rug OF commerce always swears by MS
beard and the beard of his prophet when he
makes an affidavit to its being genuine Oren-
tai prayer mat He is talking through his
whiskers and is not to be believed. After the
period when every man was bearded like
pard there came Il time when any hair on
mans face was considered rowdyish. and a
mustache indicated a dashing soldier. just as
chrysanthemum hair labels the football en-
thusiast With characteristic liberality America
has always conceded to every man the right
to wear a beard or not. as he pleased and the
result has been that in no other country can
so many varieties OF architecture in whskerS
be seen. In Kansas a good windproof set OF
whskers is considered one OF the prime qualih-
cat tons for political candidate. In many rurat
communities beard is still worn as satisfac-
tory substitute for a neckte. Among swell
young men there Is a great variety or opinion
in regard to the subject. Those VINO desire 70
look French and wicked wear a sharply pointed
beard trimmed down to a hair line. Others who
incline to the Charles Dana Gibson school or
looks are clearly shaved and wear tired and
faraway look. There still other men who.
approaching how little opportunity their sex
have for adOrning themselves give variety to
what would often be an expressonlcss coun-
tenance by wearing their boards in queer little
patches. which suggest that they have had
their faces laid out by a landscape gardener
1t is the importance OF the beard that makes
a lawsuit recently tried in New -Jersey or gen.
eral interest to all men, respectable citizen
Of that State the happy possessor OF beard
to which he tenderly attached. undertook q
short railway journey Upon the trip he was
set upon by a gang OF roughs who cruelty mis-
used him. and especially vented their fendish
malignity upon his beard. which they tore out
and dishgured. making 1t totally useless and
valueless as a means OF ad0rnment. The man
brought suit against the railroad company. put
ting the injuries to his beard at the modest
sum Of $2Oo-a sum entirely inadequate TO pay
for the time and labor and thought he had be-
slowed upon it. as every boy who has ever gone
through the tribulations Of raising his first
mustache will agree. The railroad set up the
plea that they were not engaged in the busi-
ness # CARRYING whiskers; that the complainant
could produce no bill OF ladng to show that
their COMPANY received the beard in good order
and condition. and finally that they were not
responsible for any baggage over the value OF
500 The case tried by jury OF SIX
clean shaven men and six bearded ones and
they finally decided in favor Of the heartlesS
corporation This will doubtless constitute
precedent. and it is just well for men to be
warned in time that when they travel they take
their boards in their hands.