The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-17
CLUB woMEN,s CLOTHES.

Echoes of the recent gathering of club
women at Milwaukee are still being heard
and the end is probably not yet, but it is
rot likely that many of TIE delegates will
include in their reports to the home clubs
which they represented the criticism made
by one austere New York lady. She closes
her report to the organization to which she
belongs with a vigorous protest against
the extreme extravaganza in dress shown
at the biennial" She goes on to say:
We are supposed be a body of women
banded together for serious purposes, but
to outsiders and lookers-on at Milwaukee
il must have seemed as IL some, at least,
of the members thought of nothing but
dress. Some wore three and four dresses In
one day. They surely could not have spent
much time at the meetings, merely showing
themselves for a few minutes, then retir-
ing, to appear at the next meeting In an
other costume, each more elaborate than
the others. This, in my mind. Is very Sc
rious question. as 1t gives bad impress
sion, and it is no wonder that the news
papers ridicule the idea of any serious or
valuable reforms coming amid such dis
play. The federation will, l believe, be at
a disadvantage until such matters are
changed and less display is shown.
This is far from being the first intimation
ing was a good deal of a dress parade.
but this is the first open confession from
official sources, and is Of interest as con-
firming what some have held to be the
exaggerations Of an unsympathetic press.
The Journal has heretofore expressed its
inability to understand the aims and pur-
roses of the federation, and has even dared
to suspect that the federation was not
quite sure of them itself, but, whatever
they may be, 1t never entertained the opin-
ion ascribed vaguely by the stern New
York delegate to newspapers that
as body it would accomplish nothing be-
cause the members were well dressed. Nor
can it agree with this lady in her assump-
ton that no serious or valuable reforms
can be wrought by women who wear fine
gowns. Far from it. The Journal does not
go so far as to hold that elegant raiment
is necessary to the female reformer and
philanthropist, but it has reason to believe
that 1t is not incompatible with high pur-
pose and is at least of no disadvantage to
her. To set forth this reason may be to
expose a weakness of the man-person, but
where truth is concerned the Journal would
scorn to hesitate in order to spare male
vanity. The fact is, humiliating though It
may be to women, that most reforms in
finally brought about by men. In order
to secure the aid and cooperation of men,
who are often persons of superficial at
tainments, unable to perceive and appre-
cIate lofty moral and spiritual attraction
the beauty of soul, in short-unless it IS
clothed in an outwardly agreeable frame
work. 1t devolves upon the women to con-
vince them of the merit of their cause.
Now, it has been demonstrated time and
again that the would-be reformer who,
pinning her faith to the justice of her
cause and disregarding her bonnet, goes
about laying her case before mayors,
councimen and other men of public and
private influence stands no chance at all
as compared with her wise sister who goes
on a similar errand arrayed in her most
frills and furbelows produces an effect
that it cannot hope to do with an accom-
paniment of rainy-day skirts and other
common-sense garments. Innocent man
does not realize his susceptibility in this
direction. He simply succumbs to the in
fiuence of gay plumage when he sees it
because he was born that way. Therefore
it is that so long woman finds man
q necessary tool in carrying out her plars
for the regeneration of the world it is the
part of wisdom for her TO adapt herself
10 his foibles and refrain from a too severe
simplicity of toilet. To be sure. as man has
no admittance to the federation meetings.
1T might be argued that the delegates could
properly leave their handsomest gowns at
hcme and wear their old clothes on such
occasions. but such course is not to be
advised How Is a woman TO know thar
her gowns are effective until she sees APP
prevail In the eyes Of other women? Then.
too, a. good women are free to confess.
the eonsciousness Of bsing Handsomely a.