The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-27
sOPORIFIC REFORM.

Philadelphia is fine city, but it is not
celebrated as the birthplace of new move
ments or reforms. Perhaps notable excep-
ton should be made in favor of a new
movement that was started there on the
Fourth Of July, 1776. though this was not
local movement. In recent years. however,
Philadelphia has been more noted for pre-
eminence in manufactures than for prog
ress in reform. The spirit of William Penn,
which still broods over the city, is more
typical of conservatism and thrift than of
innovation and reform. Philadelphians are
not partial to rapid transit, and they do
not at all object if district messenger boys
or special delivery letter carriers stop to
take a little nap on the way. And this re-
minds us of new movement that has been
started in Philadelphia, looking to an ex-
tension of the hours of sleep. Probably
Philadelphia is the last city in the United
States where most persons would have ex-
pected such a movement to originate, but,
as usual, it is the unexpected that hap
pens. Some of the leading society women
of the city have discovered that society
needs more sleep and have, accordingly,
started a soporifc reform movement. 1t is
claimed that social functions begin and end
too late, or, rather. begin too late in the
evening and end too early in the morning,
thus needlessly curtailing the hours of re-
pose, injuring the compilations Of women
and the tempers of men, and preventing
the complete knitting up of the raveled
sleeve of care by tired natures sweet re-
storer, balmy sleep. The particular social
function of which complaint is made is
balls. The descendants of the early Quakers
do not object to balls per Sc, but they COM
plain that they begin too late. The incep-
ton of the reform movement is thus noted
in a Philadelphia paper:
A couple of days ago a quiet meeting of
women, who are powerful in the smart set,
was held at the residence of Mrs. Charles
GUSTS Harrison, No. 1913 Locust street, TO
consuer the important question of whether
society functions could not and should not
begin earlier and end earlier. There was
much dis cussion and measures were taken
looking to the contamination of the demand
for, more steep. BY a happy closing up of
gaps now filled only by idleness, 1t is hoped
that at least brace OF hours may be added
to the refreshing period of slumber without
shortening the time diminishing the gay
ETY. of the functions. There We're present at
the conference Mrs. Charles c. Harrison,
Mrs John Cadwalader, Mrs Alexander j.
Cassatt, Mrs. Edward Coles Mrs Charles
Z. Dana, Mrs. George w. c. Drexel, Mrs.
De Grasse Fox, Mrs. Frederick I. Mason,
Mrs William Plat Pepper and Mrs. Alex
ander Van Rensselaer,.
Any one can perceive that this list of
names represents some women of note, and,
having determined that society. at least
Philadelphia society. needs more sleep they
are not apt to let the movement fail for
lack of pushing. AS result of the first
conference a committee was appointed to
issue call to be sent out at once. inviting
$50 men and women OF note. social leaders,
to meet and issue new declaration Of In
Dependence. based on the demand Tor earlier