Gilpin observer., 1909-04-29
A Maiden Speech.

WelLeT VI SIdLlSIlCS IndC make Iue
eyes ache and paralyze ones imagi-
nation. A member rises and says
hurriedly: "Mr. Chairman, ask
leave to print some tables on the
tariff on hides and business condi'
tions and Bradstreet's report on the
panic" it is SO ordered, and the
long suffering publication groans un-
der an incubus of thirty pages OF
figures in every variety of postur :
that no one looks at after the over
worked proofreaders of the govern
ment printing office have profanely.
struggled through them. IL is there
fore q relief, having traversed this
aridity of computations, to come upon
Towering, palm tossing and water
yelling oasis like the speech of the
Hon. Atterson w. Rucker of Rucker
Ridge, Col, new member, upon the
brazen tax on stockings and gloves
that has been dragged into view
from the recesses of the Payne bill.
Like the women of Chicago, the
mountain maids and matrons of Col
orado are daring congress to impose
the tax. Young Mr.. Rucker, like old
Senator Cullom, is opening letters OF
protest, even kilograms, by the bush
el. Here is one from Sarah S. Platt
Decker, ex-president of the American
Federation of Women's Clubs:
"Gloves and stockings are not a
luxury, but necessity for the health
and protection as well as for civiliza-
ton. Do not increase already heavy
tax upon the family income and there
by bring about the inevitable result
Of relegating America to the rank of
the barefoot nations"
In a scoriac land like Colorado,
strewn with Stag and flints, the mere
prospect is excruciating. Other tele-
grf.ps of protest were read by Mr..
Rucker, one from the Jane Jefferson
Club denouncing the rates on gloves,
stockings and other necessary ar
ticles." This "inequitable schedule"
he called it, and the pent up chival-
ry In him burst into chime o.
bo;;utiful thoughts:
Sir, in this great land of ours,
c'ery woman, from the kitchen maid
20 the wife of a millionaire, from
tn: factory girl to the society queen,
considers herself incompletely attired
until her hands are covered. The
poorest lass in the country or town
will buy a pair of gloves. even if
their cost be only so cents. Is this
great congress going to compel her
to pay from her scanty earnings half
as much again for this essential part
OF her costume?
"The woman of average means is
now the possessor of two pairs of
gloves-one for common every day
wear. the other for dress. Enact this
schedule and she will be able to pur-
chase only one pair. Is this fair or
right? We gaze with unfeigned rap
ture on the lily white hands of our
wives, daughters and sweethearts.
How can the daughter of Eve keep
this precious and adorable portion OF
her body in good condition so that it
will continue to compel the alteration
of the sterner sex if she be deprived
of the consolation and protection OF
the glove?'
Mr.. Fuckers audience, which we
are given to understand consisted OF
eleven gentlemen scribbling at their
desks or in easy somnolent attitudes
might well have held its breath when
he turned unfalteringly to stockings
but he was equal to the occasion:
"And what man, sir, is brave
enough to stand on this floor and
vote to deprive lovely woman of the
! pleasure she derives by dressing hel
tiny feet in the sanctuary of hel
boudoir? Without selfish though
and with no commercial interest tc
defend, l rise here and now serious
ly and emphatically to plead that thi:
solar pleXus blow of injustice be no
delivered. l plead for the hand o
woman, that angelic part Of her tina
rocks the cradle, extends the cup o
water to the wounded soldier, ant
fans the brow of the fever racked in
valid. In the names of the millions
o: good and sweet and true American
women l beg you to vote down thi'
oppressive tax
chamber 1t was not because Mr.
Rucker had finished his invocation
! rnther hecausn IL Ind NOT fini ishni