New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-09
IS 1T BRAINS OR DRESS
Which Makes the Most Popular
GLIB Woman Discussed at S. Z. S.

Is il dress or brains that counts in club life?
II the society for political study were called upon
70 vote this important question at the polls
Il would cast its ballot for brains Yet a large
minority al the meeting yesterday were Of the
opinion that a brainy woman is none the less
brainy because she wears a becoming hat: and
thar 10 be well dressed IS a womsn's duty. One
member even went so far as to assert that II was
neither brains nor dress that was essential 10 the
club woman but character.
Mrs Lille Derereux Blake who had the OPEN
ing address, thought there was question but
that II is always brains (Which mean capacity
that make the individual a power. whether the
individual be a q woman. People said
she. 'lay too II lch stress the supposed differ
ences between the sexes in tastes and feelings
There are plenty OF BOYS who Ike TO knit and sew.
and plenty Of girls VINO Ike 10 fire pistols. Men
and women are pretty much alike in tastes and
feelings. and men are just much attracted by
good clothes on one of the. own sex as women
are by a well dressed woman Il is not fitting that
suy one should ignore dress: yet, after all it IS
the man behind the gun who counts and ii IS the
brain under the hat. the heart under the cOrsage.
that counts in club life"
Wei I think a great deal about how women
Dress" courageously confessed Miss Stevens. 4
don't think dress beautifully, and any one who
stops 10 think knows that don't dress ration
ally. ] wish the regiment of women IN the
wOmens clubs could devise q better dress for u.s.
y don't think II IS always brains or always
dress that counts with the cLubwCman," said Mrs
John II. Judge, hut steady, faithful attendance.
The clubwoman who attends every meeting and
knows everything that is going is bound TO be-
come power in her club
"Other things being e7ual the woman with the
prettiest hat VIII get there first" maintained Mrs
Bel Gray Taylor. positively.
And while some Of the women present-it was a
very large meetng-were applauding this sentiment
Mrs. Winchester took occasion to warn clubwomen
not 10 oyerdO the thing. They must dress suit
ably" said she. But ] know nobody thinks the
more OF you for your being shabby"
Miss America Phillips rallied TO the support Of
Mrs. Belle Gray Taylor. why an Intellectual
woman shouldn't adorn herself with the handsom-
est bonnet she can afford, never could under
stand" saiu she. They used TO say, on, she's an
Intellectual Woman-thats Why she dresses so
badly Dress is an indication OF character"
Ms. George r. Winkle-. who was introduced as
the Wce-pr5sident Of EclecIc, The best dressed
Womans club in the city, Loyalty defended the rep
citation Of her club "A wei fitting gown often
enhances "A good argument Other things being
equal, Go not see why women should not make
the most OF thew appearance"
you talk II a woman's brains manifested
themselves solely in talking, objected Miss Kaiser
a. this jlucture For mediocre people ! think
dress IS necessary to give them q standing. I don't
believe Il is question Of brains or Of dress. either
but II character. The women Of Iceland have worn
the same dress for 500 years. wish we had char
Tor the next 800 years We do not live simply
enough"
y have neither brains nor dress. yet 1 am here. q"
asserted Mrs. Mary Benton BedeL Women of
io-day are certainty broadening in their views as
We. as their waists. 1 don't know OF any place
where a woman is better received than in the
Bomeu's clubs. Certainly in the churches"
Brains and dress seem 70 like two lines
that r-l parallel and sometimes intersect," put in
ATE Belle 20 Rivera. Dress certainly makes the
4AeEest impression but after woman shows her
sIalIs u makes lite difference how she dresses"
ne Others ar.-aNoV1.
Then Mrs Rayuer reverted 10 the S00-year old
Sfess, saying trains and cross are the two great
factors OF civilization. To hin on q dress and wear
i perpetual would be the greatest disaster that
eouc be-aL this country. Wall Street could not
Withstand IL. much Work lies behind d dress
- behind or recent city election. Where We find
~ most brains there We find the most dress
lhen ms. Blake wound up The discussion with: Il
l-tt lt'e clothes ne WeHT, lut We can't make
eye o. ourselves I don't think mems Clothes are
- more sensible than ours Think OF their horri
- t1iiaES. TAX about nanc.Pa tom There is
emancipation among men. Chesterfield said women
- SAY S 10 ltlT parents. slaves 10 their hUs-
,-1s Saves 10 their children and slaves 10 Gus
to az their lives. Men are just as much slaves
AZ esA-JIn