The Washington herald., 1907-03-31
CHILTON'S SPIKETAIL COAT
Texas Senator's Story Of How He
Came to Adopt Evening Dress.
Thoughtful Confederation of John
NJ. Palmer for a Fellow Dinner
Guest and What Came of IT.
From the waco Tex Tribune.

From the Waco CTezl Tribune.
When went to Washington 10 enter
the Senate" said Hon. Horace Chiffon to
the writer. when Mr.. Chiffon was on a
visit TO Waco in 1893. 4 did not possess
such a thing as a dress suit-that Is. what
is known convenuonally as a dress suit.
! had a suit, a Prince Albert coat, that
the tailor in my home town. who
made the suit, assured me was the cor
rect thing and charged me $50 for max
ing. In fact, I had never worn a 'swal-
low-tair coat in my life. even as a young
man. II jim Hogg were living ne could
tell you We didn't affect such things IN
East Texas in those days So I went to
the National Capital feeling 1 had clothes
At for a Texas Senator. and was in bliss
ful ignorance Of the surprises that await
cd me. In fact. I was rather proud OF
my Prince Albert SUIT.
We'll. when had been there about two
weeks I had an invitation from Senator
German. Of Maryland. 10 be a guest at
what he called a stag dinner at his
home. at S o'clock the evening OF the
next day, was fattered. and accepted.
AT the hotel where my wife and I
boarded, Senator Palmer. OF Illinois, also
lived. and he told me he. too, had an In
vttauon to Germans dinner. that he knew
the way there, and would be glad to go
with me. So We agreed to meet at 7:45
that evening in the hotel Office
Il dressed IN my talIor-made suit. asked
my wife how it looked. She said she
supposed It was all right, and I went
down stairs to the hotel ofice. Senator
Palmer had not yet come down from his
ROOM. but a minute later he stepped out
OF the elevator and gave me a cordial
greeting. I did not notice HIS dress par
tleularly. in fact. did not think OF it,
and was ready to be OF. But Palmer
halted little and looked at me. Then he
said
Mr.. Chiffon. I see you have on
Prince Albert coat and believe I would
feel more comfortable If I had mine on
toe. Wait here just a minute while
run up to my room and change coats.
We have plenty of time and I won't de-
tain y0us AS he spoke he stepped into
the elevator and then I saw he had on
an evening dress coat, a swallOw-taii, as
they are called. But the elevator was
under way and in a couple Of minutes he
had gone 10 his room. changed coats and
come down In a long Prince Albert coat.
like mine. You may think strange. bnt
still was oblivlous TO the matter of
dress and supposed ne had made the
change as he said. simply as a matter
Of comfort, and as we logged on together
TO Germans residence thought no more
about my coat or that of Senator Palmer
either
We soon reached the home OF the
Maryland Senator and a servant In livery
ushered US in 10 the parlOr. calling our
names. and Mr.. German came forward
with cordial greeting Then he intro
duced ae (SenatOr Palmer seemed to
know every one in the crowd 10 the
brilliant company, all men.
and distinguished men of whom / had
read but never met until then There
were a half dozen Senators. three or four
two Supreme Court
judges. the British Ambassador and Gen.
Nelson Miies-I should judge fifteen to
eighteen in number. ] saw them all in
a group, and in a moment I saw seme-
thing else-saw 1t all at once and clearly
1T was the fact that save Senator
Palmer and myself, every gentleman in
that crowd wore "A swallow-tail coat
evening dress. ! felt the difference in
dress from other guests. but swallowed
my embarrassment. And then II also
dawned on me why Senator Palmer had
gone upstairs. when he saw how ] was
aH nd - 10 A Ihav
coat.
1T was one Of the most delicate. con-
siderate acts. showing good breeding and
kindly courtesy 1 have ever known any
man to display. and I have never lacked
in grateful appreciation Of his act. Pal
ner saw / was new In Washington and
not familiar with social requirements. He
was 100 pblite to suggest to me / ought
TO wear a dress coat. He was too gem
srous to be willing to see me the only
1ne here wearing a Prince Albert. and
50 he donneG similar dress that I might
have company and not be so noticeable.
1t vas courtesy persOnified and l always
him for it.
That incident taught me a lesson. The
next day ! went TO tailor, put in my
lrder for a dress suit. and after that.
when going to any gathering OF function
where I knew the men would be expected
% wear evening dress ! wore my swai-
ow-tail coat. 1t has never been my way,
IS you know. to affect anything limiting
It foppishness in dress. I am a plain
nan of the people and dress plain. but
always strive 10 be neat 1 hold. though. |
hat man should conform to established
custom in all reasonable requirements. A
nan who is opposed on principle or be- |
'ause of comfort to wearing a dress suit |
reed not do 50.