The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-15
Mrs. clarina 1. III. Nichols.

In the recent death of Mrs. Clarina Irene
Howard Nichols the woman suffrage and
work of Indiana women Is OF course made
quately represented, though an attempt was
made. with partial success, 10 secure copies
OF newspapers and photographs OF writer's
Neither is the collection OF photographs
OF representative Indiana women anything
near what il should be though 1t includes
such hon0red faces as Mrs. 4. u. Wal.
lace and Dr.. Mary <. Thomas.
A report in the Indianapolis Journal of
Friday of an interview with Mrs. Josephine
r. Nichols, who has just returned from New
Orleans. represents that lady as characteriZ-
q failure. The lady may not be reported
correctly-at all events, consideration OF
the extent, variety and quality OF the exi
exhibit as indicated above will scarcely as
thy the assertion that is q failure, "discred-
liable" and ''pitiful showing
No blame is attached 10 the lady commis-
sioners in the article referred to, and Ms.
Nichols truly says that what the =
did was done at every disadvantage
and without funds.' The commissioners
realized from the first that the exhibit must
Of necessity be inadequate, The difficulty
was not 50 much in the lack OF fdnds which
Mrs. Nichols so deeply deDlores, as in the
want of sufficient time. Mrs. Noe was APP
pointed the middle of October, and the or
der had been received that goods must be
ready for shipment by Nov. 10th. or the
space would be forfeited. Two weeks later,
Mrs. judah was appointed. Meantime, cir
culars had been issued. meetings held and
solicitors appointed. OF necessity, the work
of collection was hurried and superficial,
there was no time TO arouse enthusiasm and
for the repeated solicitation, persuasion aud
INSTANCE essential to overcome objections,
the relucta nee 10 send away treasures for SO
Ions period, and the feeling that those
treasures however dear to their owners.
would be any thing but Insignificant amid
the glories of the Worlds Exposition !.
The postponing of the opening of the Expo
sition affords a little more!time but not suf-
hcent for a thorough canvass. Had the
commissioners known that the opening
would De practically delayed until January,
they might have accomplished more. All
effort in behalf OF this exhibit has so far been
purely voluntary, and only after delav and
| tain ed from the exposition management to
| transport and install it.
| Under these circumstances the exhibit ia a
victory rather than failure so tar as women
are concerned.
The ability of Indiana women to make a
| superior display OF work and or the Wo.
mans State Fair Association to collect and
| manage such display has been amply dem
oustrated at our State Fair. Had the COM
missioners been appointed IN due season,
they would with the ASST stance of the asso-
citation, and despite the lack of funds from
the State have collected an exhibit 1al to
any in The West.
Indiana women have been unjustly and
needlessly handicapped in this work. As the
| exposition management arranged that every
/ State exhibit of woman's work should be
| prepared under the direction of two repre-
/ sentative women commissioners appointed
! by the Governor OF that State, no woman or
| organization of women could presume to
take the matter in hand until requested by
| the Governor.
! Elk Governor Porter's attention was called
10 this matter year ago, he was told of the
desire on the part OF women for creditable
appointment OF lady commissioners.
| He agreed to take the matter ''under consid'
Grafton" During the seven or eight months
following, while the woman's exhibit should
have been advertised throughout the State
and women enlisted in every county. 1t re-
/ manned under consideration" The i'm
/ mensity OF this dellberation over the ap'
pointment OF non.voters to Offices 10 which
no fees or salaries are attached, is unpsral-
elled in the annals of the Republic.
The writer remembers, appreciates aud
is duly grateful for all the kind words and
deeds of Governor Porter with reference 10
/ the advancement of women, but il the Indi-
ana exhibit of womans work Is, as asserted,
areproach and by-word compared with other
exhibits. 1t is due the commissioners tast
the true inwardness" of the subject should
be known.