New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-15
GorERyoR C4uPBEIL'S "DRESs SUIT"

The investigation of its Senator's relations
with the octopus is not the only topic agitat-
ing Texas. There is Governor Campbells in
augural dress suit" The rural sections of the
biggest state in the country are greatly excited
over the appearance Of their hero In this gar
ment of correct form In the home of the octo-
pus. Not since the first excitement over clothes
in the Garden of Eden have the garments OF
man caused such n CommOtOn Governor
| CampbelTs "spiketail." If there was anything
on which Texas prided itself, besides its size,
its climate, its marvellous cotton crops, ditto
pecan nuts and the Galveston plan" it was
that the garb of craftsmanship retained IN
Texas its ancient interrupted simplicity. There
n man with an aspiration for votes dons a
dress suit only as he takes a drink in Kan
sas, secretly INDUCING in the forbidden delights
Of the clothes OF the world. We can recall
when Senator Bailey proudly proclaimed that
never would that garb OF corruption and efete-
ness drape his eloquent person OF course
Washington corrupted the Senator sartorIally,
and his state forgave him, knowing that no one
can retain the virgin innocence of his attire
away from the simple life OF Texas
We know Of no better description Of the Texas
costume Of the statesman seeking Office than
that given in The Honey Grove Signal:
When plain Tom Campbell appeared in Honey
Grove last summer looking for votes how diff
ferent the habliments nat wrapped his demo-
cratic frame, Well do remember tho 81 30
souch hat that canopied his dome Of thought
And the cheap alpaca coat with a ripped
pocket. covering shirt front not immaculate
and showing pair of SuspeudeTS not \
plain leather belt assisted in keeping his trous-
erS at the right place, and TINS was OF the same
material the hellyband Of wagon harness. He
chewed world OF Tinsley tobacco and could
eXpectorate as big streak of the yellow fluid
as was ever aimed AT q crack IN the floor.
Every garment is eloquent Of the man OF the
people. The Constitution and the SLOUGH hat
stand side by side a. objects OF reverence
The race for the GOvernOrship nomination last
summer close and there were half dozen
candidates IN it. Does anybody suppose that
one OF them yeutured into the sandhiIls OF
Texas wearing anything but that certificate OF
character, the slouch hat? The alpaca coat
with the homely rip, the harness strap glrt
where it would be most effective, all bespoke
the man TO be trusted with the affairs OF state
The costume was II vote getter
The Incident recalls that old poem about the
pride Of Missouri, Governor, now Senator, VIII
lam Joel Stone.
When Governor Stone for Congress ran
And got there with a Will
lie dressed 50 democratic that
They called him "Shrttall Bin"
The poem goes on 10 record the change and
ends regretfully with the word dude" SO
The Honey Grove Signal" after describing
the costume Of a real statesman, cxclalms:
Think OF it. my countrymenl This great COM
moner from the saudhills Of East Texas decked
out in n coat without front tail and vest that
touched only the contour OF his breadbasket!
Colonel "BiIr' Sterrett Of Dallas. explains
that the Texas editors are astonishcd that their
Governor is such lightning change artist He
should have allowed some little time for the
cOTupuOn5 OF the Capitol TO do their work
\ year in office and perhaps dress suit
might be forgiven, "but he must admit II is
"a bit too sensational for a man to pull OF
his seersucker coat and blue cotton pants and
show that he has dress suit underneath"
We should say 50. 1t should be made uncon-
! sttutional in Texas TO wear dress suit" at
an inauguration. What is known in the SIR
| torial world as a sack coat is the correct
! thing the first year.