The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-18
DRESS REFORM FOR
SUPREME JUDGES
-----zz----s..---.
Delegates Discuss Vital
Problem, But Overlook
Important Points.
COLOR OF GOWNS
NOT SUGGESTED
Texture Also is Left to the
Imagination Julius Caesar
and Others Held Up as Ex-
amples. and Shakes
peare Is Quoted
at Length.
Texture Also Is Left to the
by LEWIS III. M.IcHEN.

-- +. y
BY LEWIS II. MgACHEN.
The question of dress REFORM for the
Judges OF the supreme Court Of APP
peals was again u burning one at the
Capitol yestcrday--more burning than
on the day before, II possible. 1T
came up In the lower branch on Dele
gate Cox's motion to reconsider the
vote by which the resolution was
adopted Thursday. the House. by n
vote of two to one. refusing to re-
code from It's former action.
The debate was spirited. and the
bcst of the session, so farm, viewed
from the viewpoint OF oratory. but II
may be truthftilly said that there
was more levity in 1t, at times, than
was becoming In the discussion OF so
tolenn subject. 10 brief the argu-
neni pro and con, II was said that the
English judges. the judges of tile SUI
preme Court OF the United States and
of most of the States of the Union
wear official robes. that the custom
adds uniformity, dignity and weight
70 the appearance of the judges. and
that respect and reverence. were ac-
cordngly inspired by this resalia-
Portia. julius Ceasar and the Roman
Senators were held mp as examples
OF gown-w wearing worthless and au-
thorities were quoted from Shakes
peare to David Dudley Field in favor
OF the custom for Judges.
Some other Aspects.
Per contra. 1t was said that the Sill
preme Court OF Appeals of Virginia
already presented q sufficiently dtgnt-
fled appearance. and inspired all the
respect and reverence that was neces-
gary, that the Virginia Bar Associa-
t>e I'M or "a
the Judges could adopt tie proposed
costume. II they desired TO do so, and
IL they did not they could ignore the
request implied in the resolution.
Minor points were made. but these
were the really vital ones.
The millinery aspects of the subject
were not touched, except that some
ane limited that the gowns were TO be
silken Whether this vas meant as 2
practical suggestion or merely as an
orator!cal ornament was not entirely
clear. So far as the text OF the reso-
luton goes. one is not warranted Ill
saying that bombazine is 10 be barred.
Neither was the color question dis
cussed In this connection. though the
general assumption seemed to be tina,
the gowns would be black. or q; leasc
of some sombre and impressive hue
In England the Judges wear scarlet,
and under the resolution Virginia
judges might do the same. or even add
stripes or bars Of white and blue, to
give them thoroughly patriotic ap-
pearance.
II women had been discussing the
tues ton. as they discuss all questions
in some Western Legislatures. they
would not have omitted to decided the
material one that would wear ant
wash without running on fading. anc
the color, one that would be mosl
likely to be becoming.
There was another disappointment
the failure to produce satisfactor,
proof that the judges themselves ia.
yored the proposed fashion. There
We're intimations both ways, but there
was no authoritative statement.
What Wow the Senate will take o
the whole matter cannot now be fore
cast.
Other Business.
A good deal OF other business wa
accomplished by the House. whic:
both In its committees and on th
floor has got down to business will
unprecedented promptness and vigor
The Senate, too, is not waiting for TIL
grass to grow, hut is making hay, rain!
days and all
i, The House under a suspension OF TIL
rules passed the bill reported from tn
Finance Committee making an fappro
rrtation of $125.000 annually to TIL
sinking fund for the purpose OF ex
tingutshing the public debt of tn
State. The amount heretofore annual
appropriated for<thls purpose has bee
$4,000. The increase Is in line with tn
recommendations of the Governor
message, and. 1t Is thought, wi
strengthen the credit Of the State an
add to the value OF It's securities.
A number OF other bills were ad
vanced on the calendar, and some wi
be passed to-day.
In the Senate the joint resolutio
prohibiting the introduction OF bill
after February Goth was unanimousl
adopted. If 1t is adopted by the Hous
it is thought that tie chances Of &c,
ting through most of the importar
bills already introduced will be greatl
improved. Both houses seem to be beI
upon preventing. the legislative BLOCK
ade which occurred last ession, whc
for a long time scarcely anything cou
he considered without prncticall
unanimous consent.
Tho Senate yesterday passed nun
her of bills relating to the question
where, suits may ,be brought agaln
telegraph and telephone companies II
failure to deliver messages. and certal
bills amending statutes relating to Il
functions and prohibiting the unal
ttorized wearing OF insignia OF al
socIcty. trades union or tho Southe1
cross of honor.
Thee Is plenty OF work now cut o,
to keep the two houses busy with Il
actual business OF enactins laws, M
1t Is, expected that legislation Will {
coward without halt or Stacking.
Y SESSION OF TWO HOUSES