Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-09
WOMEN AND POINTS OF ORDER.
An Experts Comments on the Proceedings
of the Lady Managers.

An Experts Comments on the Proceedings
of the Lady Managers.
Acting Register Harry Smith. who went to
Chicago Mt tine request OF Mrs. Potter Palmer
to assist her ard the board of lady managers in
respec; to parliamentary and other proceed
ings. returned yesterday morning and was at
hi- desk TODAY
1oa STAR representative he said:
II was Unexpectedly called back as Mr.
kinbalI. superintendent OF the life saving
service, who is commissioned as acting register
during my absence. obliged to
leave the city. 1 was compelled to
leave the board on Tuesday afternoon
during one of its most interesting meetings. in
order to catch the New York limited, neces-
sity which deeply regretted. but as to which
had no alternative.
Il have always been posed TO woman suf-
frage and am still. until decided majority OF
women ask for it. but confess frankly that my
views in respect to that question
have been modified by the proceedings
Of the board of lady managers OF the
worlds Columbian exposition and Its executive
Among its members are some very superior.
if No. remarkable, women, and. while 1t con-
tains Collectors and qulbblers about
'quorums and sticklc-s for strict OBJ
servance of the rules and precedents,
i am bound in honor to say. after a
board that il is quite superior to the
average state legislature-Or rather the
lover house'-and that while it lacks col
lecsi.ely the legal training AID business
experience Of the members Of the naiionai
House of Represen tatives. 1t possesses one merit
which overshadOws. in NV Judgment, any and
all other defects which 1t may have 1t does
not .flibuster, and FROM It's first meeting
to date il has never disgraced Itself
by the remarkable performances which IN re
hoe ksaap rfvpS %
Representatives by the indefinite repetition OF
dilstory motions. commonly known as INDUS
tering' l suppose this statement VIII convert
ex-Speaker Reed and possibly some otner
statesmen to the cause Of woman suffrage, put
II will have to stand.
ITO what do You attribute this superiority?
The STAR inquired
There are three prime reasons for it, was
the reply. First. The board of lady managers
Is composed of representative women, who are
in dead earnest in respect to the success OF
their separate display of wOrnans achievements
in art. industry, literature, philanthropy and
science
second. Their very inexperience in leglsia-
tive and parliamentary methods Is positive
advantage to them 1t enables them to cut
the Gortlan knot of strict construction, and
'precedeuts' and. a. Mr.. Reed would say, Sc
cure results.
Third. The board has as its president one
of the most charming women In America, who.
in addition to Il zeal that has never
tagged in the work OF interesting the
women of the world in respect 10 the
'wOmen's fair, is the pOssessor OF very
remarkable tact and self-possessIon- Inc sec
reta-y and other officers are competent anu
efficient and while there have been some petty
iealOusIes some elimination and recrIminh-
tion' | am bound to say that, a representa-
tive body, IL will compare tavorabiy with any
House of Representatives since The war. 10
which period nv personal knowledge only
extends
How about the chickering's of which Mrs
Palmer complains, and ON account OF whlch she
threatened TO sever her entire connection with
the board.' asked.
s.fhe trouble originated, said MIR. Smith,
almost wholly with Miss Phoebe Couzins, who
has been a 'malcOntent ard 'marplot from the
start. Since her deposition as secretary TWO
years ago she has done everything III her
power, 4 was told. TO annoy Mrs faliner.
and she has u small but ST hrtan band vi fol-
lowers The last meeting smooth sailing
until NV departure. when the pent-up lndlGna-
ton OF the ladies' who thought they had been
'snubbed by not beng introduced TO the
Duchess OF Neragna and other regal
diynitaries broke all bounds and the cyclone
came. It looks somewhat silly TO see so superior
a body of women kicking mp n rumPus over a
matter OF etiquette after working Ike beavers
for the good OF the cause. but that Is the
feminine side of it probably. and everything
may be expected to be lovely now the Storm Is
over.
Il am sure it viii be a source of qualification
TO the ladies of Washington TO learn that their
representatives ON the board. Mrs Logan Mrs
Wilkins and Mrs lockwood. have taken proml-
nent part in the proceedings and are Goa
sidercd among the wheel horses OF the
board.
How about the fair ITSELF" was asked.
1T viii be a grand exhibition in time, but it
a mistake of the management that 1t did
not April 20 announce that the grounds
would be closed after the opening exercises for
at least fifteen days 70 all except
exhibitors, wOrkmen, and those having
special permits passes That would have
enabled them to complete the necessary work
OF putting the grounds and approaches
in order and complete the interior work in
the various buildings The weather, strikes
and other things have delayed the COM
pletion. which the management could not pos
sibly soresee. Most OF the exhibits are In a
state of disorder. and 1t Is safe to say
that the exposition will not be complete
IN all essential respects before June
]. The question of accommodations ard
prices will By that time have been adjusted.
and people of moderate means will be able TO
visit me exposition without being obliged to
walk home