Indecent Costume
carl...@comcast.net
Three articles reveal more and more of the sordid details.
Cheers,
Carl Fogel
***
First, the mush-and-milk version of the opening of the trial, from
"The Sporting Life":
The trial of the case against Eugene M. Aaron, editor
of the L. A. W. Bulletin, on the charge of criminal libel,
brought by D. H. Renton, who charged that Mr. Aaron
had unjustly criticized his racing costume as indcent,
was commenced Sept. 30 at West Brighton, S.I. [Staten Island], before
Justice Powers.
After some testimony on the subject and the submission in evidence of
the alleged indecent costume the hearing was adjourned to Oct. 19.
It is probable that an amicable settlement will be consummated.
"Sporting Life," Oct. 1885, p.7
http://la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1885/VOL_05_NO_26/SL0526005.pdf
***
Next, an article from the New York Herald, snotty and full of details,
but not quite telling all the story:
A Bicycler's Clothes
Do some bicyclists wear skirts when mounted, and are they shortened to
an indelicate and indecent length or want of length?
This is an important question about to be answered by one of the
lights of the Staten Island magisterial bench.
D. H. Renton, well-known bicyclist of the Staten Island Athletic club,
took part recently in an exhibition�-of course a moral exhibition�-of
bicycling in Pittsburg, Penn.
[In those days, the immoral exhibition meant a strip-tease or worse.]
A day or two after, Mr. Renton was shocked to read in a bicycle paper
of that town that his costume was "indelicate and indecent."
Highly indignant, he gathered up his skirts, and, shaking the dust of
Pittsburg off his high-heeled shoes, hastened home.
[Snotty reporting!]
Two days ago Mr. Renton heard that his traducer, Editor Eugene M.
Aaron, would be at the Grand Central depot. The time had come for
vengeance. The too conspicuous editor was met yestsrday at the depot
by no less a personage than a Richmond county police officer, armed
with a club, a revolver, and a warrant.
The officer drew the warrant only, and metaphorically and legally
speaking, knocked his man down and then took him up, bearing him away
to the inquistorial chamber at West New Brighton, S.I.
It was tbe athletic bicyclist who had pointed* out to the myrmidion of
the law the offending scribe.
Several Bostonian athletes, in eminently proper costumes, had
accompanied Mr. Aaron. Other athletes, whose attire was equally
de rigeur, altho' of Staten Island, were also on hand.
The two parties looked angry, desperately angry, but that police
force with the warrant was quite enough to preserve order and prevent
bloodshed.
In court the libeled bicyclist had adorned the magistrate's desk with
a variety of photographs, but only the court could see whether the
costumes were cut low at the neck or cut high at the feet.
In addition Mr. Renton had tbe identical costume ready which excited
the animosity of the Pittsburg editor, and was willing to don it if
required.
Justice Power colored slightly, and said it was not necessary�-at
least not just then; he, the justice, wished to accustom himself to
the idea first and wanted to study Worth and Blackstone. He therefore
adjourned the case for a few weeks, and took bail for the appearance
of Mr. Aaron.
What Mr. Aaron took is not known, but he says he is willing to stand
trial for libel.
One of the Bostonlans bailed him.
His athletic opponent put his costumes in a bandbox and Saratoga and
left the court. --New York Herald
--Utica Morning Herald, Sept. 29, 1885, p. 3
http://tinyurl.com/ybxamcz
***
Finally, the Times steps in and reveals the occupation of the
complaining bicyclist:
A QUESTION OF PROPRIETY
William J. Powers, attorney, counselor at law, Justice of the Peace,
commissioner of deeds, notary public, and stenographer, of the
flourishing little village called West New-Brighton, Staten Island,
stood outside his Office in all his sextuple greatness yesterday, with
the pleasing knowledge that he had a criminal libel case on hand.
Yesterday, however, he was merely called upon to officiate in one of
his capacities, which was that of Justice of the Peace, and, as it was
a warm, leisure-inviting day, he seemed pleased at his comparatively
tranquil duties.
The case of Daniel H. Renton, the Staten Island athlete, against
Eugene M. Aaron, editor of the L.A.W. Bulletin, of Philadelphia, for
libel, was full of interest to the Staten Islanders.
At the landing place the news that the "great bicycle case" was going
on caused much excitement.
A crowd of native athletes had assembled in Mr. Powers's office,
leaving their bicycles at the door and taking their well-trained limbs
inside.
Daniel H. Renton claimed that on July 23 he had ridden in some bicycle
contests at Scranton, Penn., clad in the usual garments worn at such
entertainments. He had subsequently received a terrible blow to his
refined instincts when he had read in Mr. Aaron's sheet, which claimed
to be devoted to bicycling interests, general references to
"exhibitions of indecency so broad as to bring a blush to the face of
a modest woman," and particular allusions to Mr. Renton's attire.
Letters poured in upon the unfortunate youth, and his father, in
despair, advised a lawsuit. Mr. Aaron was arrested and gave bail for
$200, and the criminal libel case was begun yesterday. John C. Gulick
represented Mr. Aaron, while Howard A. Sperry appeared for the
ingenuous bicyclist.
"Bring me some ink," said the stenographer, "and I'll take your
testimony. Go slow, because I can't write shorthand.
"Gentlemen," said the Justice of the Peace, "I am ready to hear you."
Daniel H. Renton was called to the stand. He was a mild-looking youth,
with spectacles and a curly mouth, which went up in the direction of
his left ear when he smiled. He was nervous, and the notices in the
attorney's office to the effect that the way of the transgressor was
hard seemed to affect him. Another sign beseeching him to "Call again"
hardly appeared to smooth matters down.
"Your name?" asked Mr. Sperry.
"Daniel H. Renton, law student at Columbia College."
[A law student! No wonder he filed the complaint!]
In addition to legal pursuits, Mr. RKenton stated that he was a
confirmed bicyclist, and attended tournaments at Hartford,
Springfield, and Scranton, Penn.
"Did you wear a special costume?" inquired Mr. Sperry.
"I did."
"Describe it."
"My costume," said the youth, blushing, "was a short shirt, with low
neck; short pants to the knee, and short sleeves."
"But you perspired, no doubt?" asked Mr. Gulick, sternly. "Think well
before you answer. Take your time."
"Sir," said Kenton, indignantly, "I don't know what you mean. I never
perspired in my life."
(Laughter.)
[A law student who claims he doesn't know what "perspire" means!]
"Go on, gentlemen," said the Justice of the Peace. "And not so fast,"
added the stenographer.
"Did you always wear this costume?" asked Mr. Gulick.
"Not always. At Springfield and Hartford, after the Scranton races, I
wore black pants."
"Ah," was Mr. Gulick's triumphant comment. "Be good enough to tell the
Judge why you wore black pants at Springfield and Hartford."
"I thought they were more appropriate," said the unhappy bicyclist,
glancing helplessly around.
"And why did you think they were more appropriate?" persisted the
lawyer.
"Because-�because�-I was in mourning at the time."
(Laughter.)
[He'll make a fine lawyer.]
"Never knew before that it was customary to go in mourning on the race
traok," was the lawyer's comment, while the Judge looked down and the
stenographer wrote away for dear life.
Mr. Kenton was asked whether he considered his costume decent, which
question was objected to on the ground that Kenton could not be
considered an expert on decency. The offending suit was exhibited and
carefully examined. It was of Jersey material and by no means a costly
garment. Portraits of Kenton, attired in this garb and gazing grimly
into vacancy, with a background of bicycle, were handed round. But not
a blush stirred the tranquillity of the Autumn afternoon, and every
one tacitly conceded that the photograph was by no means
objectionable.
George D. Baird, editor of the "Cyclist and Athlete" testified that
Renton's costume was an ordinary athlete's dress, while John Cole
excited some amusement by remarking that he had only seen one drop of
perspiration on the offending youth.
The case for the prosecution was closed after several faint-looking
athletes had testified to the fact that they had all received copies
of the alleged libelous article.
A short recess was taken, during which it was noticed that the two
lawyers, opponents though they were, walked up and down the road
together. When the proceedings were about to be resumed it was quietly
stated that the lawyers thought they could effect an amicable
arrangement without a loss of dignity on either side, and in the
meantime a fortnight's adjournment would be taken.
--October 1, 1885 The New York Times
http://tinyurl.com/yexb3wd
***
mike.a...@gmail.com
Peter Howard
<carl...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:eq1jj5d167lfk6qad...@4ax.com...
This is your best find yet. This anonymous newsman of 125 years ago was a
veritable undiscovered Twain with lines like "Portraits of Renton, attired in
this garb and gazing grimly into vacancy, with a background of bicycle, were
handed round". Sounds like a member of the pro peleton today.
No record of the settlement of the case, huh? I Googled but Mr Renton seems to
have vanished into a life of blameless obscurity after this, save a 1910
newspaper reference to someone of the same name's involvement in the sale of an
NYC property.
I'd like to know whether he embraced the new fangled safety bicycle and had a
long cycling career. Or perhaps he put away childish things once he obtained his
degree and waxed plump and respectable.
Every lawyer lives with the possibility that his name will be enshrined in dusty
old law reports that will be read long after he is dead. I'm sure young Daniel
would never have imagined that his silly little lawsuit would raise smiles a
century and a quarter later. He'd probably never have imagined what the
descendants of his racing steed would be like.
Anyway, thank you Carl for a good holiday season laugh.
PH