Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-01-17
WOMEN OF WEST VIRGINIA.

Mrs. W. Newton Linch, one of the
West Virginia members of the Lady
Board of Managers of the Wcrld's
Fair, is working hard to secure cred
liable exhibition by the women ofthis
Miss Lily Jackson, of Parkersburg,
the other member. Mrs. Linch writes
the following to the bateLligencer, which
is commended to the ladies of West
Virginia as worthy of their considera-
ton.
I" have Just returned from Wash
ington, where found every one will
ing and anxious 10 help us. We had
cause to believe there would be res
olution introduced in Congress TO re-
duce or, as near as possible, abolish
the Board of Lady Managers but
even if such motion were made l
now feel confident it would be strong
ly opposed, and with mans natural
aversion to being called to an account
for his actions by woman, l hardly
think there is a member of the House
who would have the moral courage to
vote for an amendment to bill he
had helped to pass, thereby confess
ing he had made an error Of which a
woman could take advantage. Our
West Virginia members are especial
ly eager to do all they can for US !;
they also recognize that this is the
proudest opportunity our little noun
tain State will ever have of showing
to the world her many resources and
natural wealth. From everywhere
throughout the State we hear of the
great boom, and even our little town
of Martinsburg is going crazy on the
subject, while only few days since
your paper was full of accounts of the
grandeur and progress of West Vir-
ginia.
"We have received letters from a
great many ladies throughout the
State, and l hope any one desiring in
formation on any and all subjects
pertaining to the Worlds Fair will
either communicate to US by letter OF
through the medium of the papers,"
A lady in writing to US says: Our
statesmen are gifted, our moneyed
men are known to the world, our gen.
Jus is coming to the front, our State is
full of minerals and grandeur, which
attracts the country to us. Now, let
us show what our women are and
what they can do. There is not a city
the size of Wheeling where such art
is shown US as is displayed in the de-
corative art rooms this winter. Where
do we find more beautiful china paint.
ing? And are these ladies who do all
this beautiful work not going to come
forward and help to make the West
| Virginia art exhibit one Of the fea-
lures of the Worlds Fair? Is the
world to know nothing of our magni-
ticent glass works, potteries and iron
mills? Our china is fast taking the
lead throughout the country, much oil
the work being done by woman's
hand.'
"a great many are still under the
false impression that the Worlds
Fair is to be held in 1872 The build
Ings, by the act of Congress, are tC
be dedicated in October, 1872, aud the
Fair is TO open in May, 1893.
1--WE are requested by our Presi
dent to make an appeal to our coming
Legislature for an appropriation for
State work, since the Congressional
appropriation, if one be voted, will BIZ
unavailable for State use, and we sim
cerely hope every one will be suffi
GENTLY interested in West Virginia:
display at Chicago to aid US as far as
possible in obtaining this appropria
ton from the Legislature.
"Some think there is plenty oftime
but such III not the case. We must
know what we are going to do, wha
we can afford to do, in order to obtain
a choice location upon the ground
Miss Lily Irene Jackson, of Parkers
burg, who is, herself, quite AN artist
will take great interest in working w
the art department throughout the
State, and would be glad to hear from
the ladies on that subject.
"It has been suggested that we held
our Woman'5 convention in Charles
ton during the session of the Legisla
ture. That, however, will be deter
mined in the near future. In the
meantime, | hope the ladies of the
State will become more interested and
when the convention is called, all who
can possibly attend will do So"