The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-13
A DISCREDlTABLE EXHIBIT.
Mrs. Josephine R. Nichols Characterizes Tndi-
ana's New Orleans Display as Such

Mrs. Josephine II. Nichols CnaracterlZeS lndl-
anas New Orleans Display as Such.
Mrs. Josephine r. Nichols has just returned
from the worlds exposition, at New Orleans,
where she has been for several weeks, superin-
tending the arrangement of the National Won
ans Christian Temperance Unions exhibit Dur
ing her stay there she was the guest of Mrs.
Judge E. T. MerricE one Of the most prominent
ladies of New Orleans not only for social posi-
tion but for literary culture, and progressive and
philanthropc spirit Mrs. Nichols considers the
exposition a grand success so far as the general
display is concerned especially the government
and State EXHIBITS. with the exception,
notably, of Indiana, both in the gen
eral State exhibit and in that in the
womans department, which she says sis
q Smost pitiful showing of the progress and
capacity of Indiana women; and compared with
the exhibits that surround it, is a most paltry
one in every respect" While the lady commits
sioners from other States were afforded every
aid by their own States, upon the failure of the
OF the management to give them what had been
promised those from Indiana had nothing ad-
vanced them. What they did was done at every
disadvantage, and entirely without.funds. Min.
nesota, Nebraska and Iowa, in the same section,
whose exhibits are entirely in place. complete
ly overshadow that of Indiana. These have not
only magnificent display of woman's workin art,
both useful and ornamental but the literary
culture and benevolent spirit of the women of
those States is shown by elegant and artistic
emblems from the different women's literary
clubs, and missionary and other benevolent soci-
cites. In the Indiana exhibit there is nothing
to indicate that there is Woman'S club or mis-
sionary society in the State. Much surprise is
expressed by all visitors at the poverty of the
exhibit, as Indiana has an excellent reputation
for the progressive spirit and literary talents of
its women; and the fact that it is the only State
that can boast of wOman'S State fair associa-
ton, led people to expect that its womans ex-
hiblt would excel all others. Mrs. Nichols
says that every lady visitor from
Indiana feels mortified and ashamed over the
failure of the exhibit, and appreciates the gross
injustice done the lady commissioners in send
ing them to do such work without any sup
port, when those from other States making such
superior display have been furnished not only
large sums ofmoney but received the most gen.
erous support from the women of their States in
furnishing elaborate and costly articles.
In speaking of the failure of the exposition
management to furnish the supplies prom
ised to the womans department, Mrs.
the heroic efforts of Mrs. Julia Ward
Howe and her staff of officers. aided
by a local association Of New Orleans ladies, to
remedy this difficulty, and push forward the
work of the department in spite of all obstacles
A series of entertainments had been arranged by
the local committee, the first of which was lect-
ure by Mrs. Howe, with some recitations by
joaquin Miller. When Mrs. Nichols left, there
had been grand concert arranged for, in which
the prominent artists of the Mapleson opera
frO11r with he Of ft; 70
take part. together with the Mexican band, that
discourses such exquisite music every afternoon
in the music hall of the exposition. In the midst
OF her labors to make a success of what threat
ened to be dismal failure In the
woman's department, which labors are entirely
gratuitous, Mrs Nichols says Mrs Howe has
has been much hurt by the gossip in some of
the papers in regard to her failure to pay her
board bill, or rather the failure of the manage
ment to pay it, when they had promised to do so,
and consequent trouble with her landlady. Mrs
Nichols was associated daily with Mrs. Howe
in the business of the department and met her
socially at mutual friends, and declares that the
story. is without foundation. She had seen the
bit of gossip in clipping from a Chicago paper,
which was shown to her by New Orleans lady,
to whom she had expressed Indignation at
the subterfugeS to which the Chi
cage papers resorted in order to kill
the exposition. In conversing with Mrs. Howe,
what was Mrs Nieholss surprise and mortiica-
ton. when Mrs Howe told l.er that she had traced
the scandal to Indianapolis. Mrs. Howe assured
her that while the management had failed to
pay her board, she had done so out of her own
means, and there had never been, in any
ner, the least difficulty with her landlady.
In respect to the womans exhibit of Indi-
ana" said Mrs Nichols, lit is to be hoped that
at least portion of the paltry appropriation
made by the Legislature for the Indiana depart
ment at the exposition will be given to the lady
commissioners, so that they may put up what
articles they have, in such way that they will
not be held responsible for a failure they were
powerless to avert