The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-07-26
IN WOMAN'S BEHALF.
IN THEIR OWN HOME.
What tho Women Have Accomplished II
the Worlds Fair.

What the Women Have Accom- llshed nc
the Worlds Fair.
The Women's building was nearer
completion in all respects at the open
ing of the Columbian exposition than
any other building on the grounds.
While the scaffolding could not all be
taken down from some of the construc-
tions, Mrs. Palmer, the president of the
board of LADY managers drove the ia
nous last nail" to its appointed place
in this one. Surely man would be ex-
cusable in this case in giving utterance
anew to the old Laughing complaint
that toll he never so la borously toward
the successful issue of some difficult
matter, he is sure to fihd at the goal
ahead Of him a woman. However he
would now have to drop the customary
silly addendum about her not know
ing how she reached the position. In
this most practical work the American
women have justly earned, as an appre-
ciative recognition, the tributes which
in mere flattery were formerly bestowed
upon them as members of vaguely de-
fined intuitive domain.
AS response made after four centu-
ries to Queen Isabella's daring venture
in sending from Spain an unknown
man on an expedition to problematic
lands, the queenly board of lady mana
gers in this stately palace of their own
rearing bid the distinguished descend
ants of the great discoverer and the
present representatives of Spanish roy
atty special welcome to America.
In this great enterprise of the Worlds
fair women stand well to the front in
all Of the work. There is no depart
ment in which the results of their ham
diwork are not seen. 1t is claimed that
about half the exhibits are managed or
furnished by them. They fill a large
percentage of all the clerlSships and
represent nearly all callings.
In architecture their building COM
pares favorably with any other on the
spacious grounds. Built in the style
of the Italian Renaissance, it stands in
its simple and delicate beauty high
honor to its designer, Miss Sophia G.
Hayden, of Boston. The ornamental
ton is particularly happy. The chief
groups of sculpture symbolizing wom-
anly virtues, were designed by Miss
Rideout, of San Francisco The in
terror decoration supervised by Mrs
Candace Wheeler is in perfect keeping
with the exterior plan, thus making
the whole work pleasingly systematic,
dignified and effective. 1t is a substan-
tial realization of a beautiful vision in
which originality of conception is dis
tinguishing feature. Its constructors
having no precendents to follow gave
themselves up to their own sweet fan.
cies and have realized their ideals.
Remaining faithful to their interests
of home-maling, which all extremes Of
development prove powerless to
eradicate, Notwithstanding the as
sumed fears to the contrary, everything
about the edifice has been rendered as
inviting in a sense as domestic, as pos.
sible. Spacious parlors fitted up with
all that is attractive and useful invite
visitors TO remain awhile and forget all
care and WEAKNESS. To the same in
stincts are due the placing of comfort
able seats in all available parts of the
grounds and buildings. The large ant
well-filled library presents cozy ap
pcarance. So far as possible its collec
ton of books and manuscripts shows
what women have done in literature il
all times and all lands. The exquisit,
carving of the book cases, the handsome
wall decorations typical of the arts
science and literature are all the re
suits of woman's thought and labor.
The exhibits to be displayed in tn,
Gallery of Honor-the great centra
hall running through the building-ant
in the rooms opening from it, form al
epitome of womans work in the Who'll,
world. Banded together in furtherins
this enterprise, representatives from
all foreign nations have toiled, collect
ing and shipping and putting in plac
home the native Indian women hav
also taken their part in making gor
geous hangings and other specimens o
their characteristic ornamental work
Every state Is represented in appro
pirate manner, either by the handiworl
of its women or by some typical pre-
duction sent by them. From the vest
bule wainscoated with Tennessee
marble to the various rooms embellish
ed with the natural wood of differen
states, from The decorated doorway t
the graceful caryatids supporting tn
roof, all bear testimony to the feminin
skill.-Chautauquan.