Los Angeles herald., 1892-02-28
THE ANNEX ROW.
More About the Mrs. Wilder
Episode.
President Mary Hartwell Makes
a Statement.
Hon. L. J. Rose Between Two Fac
tions of the Annex.
some of Mrs. Wilder's Statements Ques-
tioned-How She Got Her Ap-
pointment-An Exhaus-
tive Document.


appointment of Mrs. Wilder as mem
ber of the state board of the worlds
fair. Mrs. Mary E. Hartwell, the
president of the annex, makes the
following statement about the matter:
The statement made by Hon. L. j.
Rose, in the HERALD of February 9th,
may perhaps need no reply, but in JUS
tice to the ladies' annex feel compelled
to speak, and "to begin at the begin
ming"
The annex has a corresponding secre-
tary, Mrs. A. Sproul of Norwalk, who is
fully capable of attending to their cor
respondence; but by the obtrusiveness
of Mrs. Wilder the communications
were written by her to different parties
interested in the worlds fair,
and thus replies came addressed
to her, and in this manner
she first approached Mr.. Rose. After
wards she called on him inquiring
about grounds suitable for a building
for our exhibit. This was the duty and
privilege of Mrs. Hamlin, one in every
way as energetic and enthusiastic as the
best, and who is chairman of the exhi-
bition committee with four able assist
ants, none of whom is Mrs. Wilder.
Mrs. Wilder did not call meeting of
any board as she was only one Of nine
members and had no authority 80 to
act, but upon consultation with Mrs.
HamliD, chairman of the exposition
committee, who wrote the application
referred to, it was signed by Mrs. Ham
lin, Mrs. Wilder adding her name, ap-
parently to keep in view, as she was no
member of that committee.
After discussion of the above subject
at their meeting, Mr.. Rose refers to
Mrs. Wilder's high appreciation of her
own services-but, ah there were, and
are yet, many other members of the
annex equally busy women as she. The
idea of designing the court house, as it
was at the late citrus fair, originated
with Mrs. Chas. Munson, who had
drawings, etc., to carry out the plan,
but Mrs. Wilder, presuming on her
position as president, took the work and
credit upon herself.
She stated to Mr.. Rose she had sold
ORANGES in Chicago to the amount of
$17.48, which money was voted to be
given her., and was accepted without
thanks. She was no delegate in part or
whole from the chamber of commerce,
but was sent only by the ladies' annex.
A check for 5000, not $3.50, was given
her for expenses, of which amount she
returned $67 40, with bill for railroad
tickets and sleeper .$103,75, hack hire
$3.50, express 80 cents, street car So,
board four weeks at $5 per week 500,
lunch house $1.37, material used for
court house $50; making a total of
$232.51.
OF the humorous part of her losing
$50 I do not know, but the books Of the
secretary and treasurer prove the facts
- At the origin of the board of lady
managers was told in Confidence by
Mr.. Virgins that Mr.. Rose had the
power of selecting one woman for that
position, and the annex could have the
honor, but that Mr.. Rose would have
no one but Mrs. Wilder, and to not
mention the matter until he (Mr. Wig
gins) prompted me. At three regular
meetings of the annex after that
was warned by him to not bring the
matter up. Monday February 1st being
very stormy, and q quorum OF members
failing to be present, no meeting was
held. / received note from Mr.. Wig
gins written on February 1st, to call a
special meeting February 4th, to act in
regard to the privileges at the citrus
fair and about the lady commissioner.
AS we assembled for that meeting, MIR.
Virgins informed me that we were too
late, as Mrs. Wilder had already re-
ceived the appointment from Hon. l.. j..
Rose, and at that meeting she produced
her letter of commission from him.
Mrs. Hobill, first vice. president,
stated however that as we had been
..I1ol ~ +cI~o oot;ov, IN, fha x,,o++or orJ
by my stating that Mr.. Rose had in
the members should have the
right to choose their representative
and nominated Mrs. f. w. Mattern,
saying that we had more than one in
our number who was competent to fill
such an office. Mrs. Mattern being unan-
imously elected, was presented by me
to Hon. l.. ]. Rose for favorable consid-
Grafton, to which he said that he could
do nothing further for the annex unless
Mrs. Wilder resigned, as he had given
his word to her. He had understood
from Mr.. Virgins and from her accept
ance that she was the choice of that
body, Mr.. Virgins always recommend
ing her as the woman for the position.
How could Mr.. Rose hear from the
chamber of commerce or ladies' annex
when neither body was aware of such
honor awaiting them? Mrs. Will
der's letter of acceptance to Mr..
Rose, by her own acknowledgement,
was written on February 1st, the day
we failed to have quorum. Had Mrs.
Wilder worked unselfshIy for the annex,
in its interest for the development OF
Southern California, she would have
resigned on February 8th, at which
time reported the interview between
Mr.. Rose, Mrs. Mattern aud myself, and
was told that Mr.. Rose had acted upon
Misrepresentation but instead she pro-
duced letter from him stating that he
could not act for the annex unless she
withdrew her name. Her noncompli-
ance with his request aroused the indig-
nation of the ladies towards Mrs. Wilder,
not against Mr.. Rose, as he, as man,
had given his word in appointing her,
and certainly expected her to be woman
enough to release him.
We do not argue that Mr.. Rose has no
right to act according to his pleasure,
make and keep her the appointee, but
we do know that she Justly occupies an
. unenviable position before the eyes OF
the community. / have letter from
Mr.. Rose which verifies all / have said
in regard to his mistake, and gives Mrs.
Wilder three hints to withdraw her
name.
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