The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-05
SHIRT WAIST BRIGADE.
Proposition to Have Grand Torch
light Parade.

Editor OF The Times
Sir-Why not have torch-lsht process
sion Of the shirt waist brigade? am sure
there are hundreds Of men within the city 5
corporate limits who would grasp Sucn
an opportunity to exercise the courage or
their convictions by participating In night
parade without a coat Vhis would not
only be a jolly lark, but a very imposing
and UNIQUE sight l can foresee a full turn
out OF the gentler sex who nave retralIled
from giving public expression to their
opinion because they would rather sho"
their appreciation OF a mans comfort IN
some substantial manner. l would predict
that this class would quite overwhem the
ants numerically. The night time is sus-
gested because more men could turnout
than if it was a day parade. There should
be absolutely no masking or otherwise
merging this affair into any other than a
shirt waist celebration pure and simple
What would the ladies do without a shirt
waist now?
It is not only a most convenient article
of fabiliment, but it is beautiful, healthful
and comfortable, especially in summer
Some are advancing the theory that a gen.
tlenan will wear his coat under all cir
cumstances when in the presence OF
ladies', but they probably do not think that
their argument is based solely on the word
coat and the custom of wearing it.
AS long as IT must be a coat a man may
lust as well wear a chinchilla ulster as a
linen coat in the middle of July, no matter
how ridiculous he may appear, only let
him wear a coat.
OF course It Is a radical innovation and
most men dread the publicity of appearing
on the street in attire striklngly different
from his fellows. but it is a no more con-
spicuous act than when a lady appears in
public without her bonnet, and on the
street with her most sensible rainy-day
skirt. Just the same as the ladies nave
shirt waists for all occasions likewise do
the men want shirt waist suitable in ap-
pearance to the position they may be placed
in. The mans shirt waist issue has been
misunderstood all the way through. When
the subject first became agitated it meant
that a. man should be accorded the privi-
leoa of going about his duties during the
;nsufrerably warm weather minus his coat,
without provoking unpleasant criticism
TIE present issue has been prec!pitated
and should not have come untll
aftor the waists had been worn at least
two seasons However, the collective ar
raneament against a mans comfort will
settle for good and forever the ladies' In
diligence that we all SO dearly appreciate
As for the old fogy young men. we don't
care a snap.
Let us have a shirt waist brigade process
sion Every man who is willing to partl-
cina+a should send his name AMI address
on a postal card to some central point an
,-ben the names aggregate goodly propor-
lions then let a call be issued for all on
the muster list Every man should be pro-
vidad with a japanese lantern at the time
tho call is made. After the names are In,
ofHcars can be appointed to arrange for
band and carry the affair TO a successful
ISSUE
Come now. let's get together. It's the
6rst 1ot of names that will have good or
derosatory effect on the rest This affair
ought to be arranged and pulled on within
the next ten days. Come on VIII your
names and lei Richmond have the distinc-.
ton Of taking the initiative In what will
become a national Issue. After ALL, the
r!gtt Kind Of shirt waist VII look more
n~nsen.ab bio than a coz an-;-e the warm
season. EDWARD Hall"