New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-27
DEFENDING MIR. TOPAKYAN.
HIS FRIENDS INDIGNANT AT THE AT
TACKs UPON HIM.
THEY DECLARE THAT THEY ARE MADE BY
JEALOUS RTvALs-TEsTIMoN1ALs IN

THEY DECLARE THAT THEY ARE MADE BY
JEALOUS ALs-TEsTIMoNIALs IN
HIS FAVOR
The affairs OF H. II. Topakyan have become re-
Gently matters of Importance 70 the American pub
lic well to the Government OF Persia, which
he represented at the Worlds Fair with an ex-
hibit which attracted wide attention. Though he
had been established here since 1888, having an ex-
tenslve business upon his appointment az Exhb-
itor and Commissioner for Persia by f.. Spencer
Pratt, ex-Minister to Persia from the United
States and Commissioner General to the Worlds
Columbian Exposition. Mr Topakyan, after long
hesitation. accepted the appointment, temporarily
closed his establishment here and removed 10 chi
cago erecting at his own expense In the Manu-
features Building n large pavilion upon the
space allotted to Persia, and making therein his
exhibit During the Fair the Persian section was
visited by experts and lovers Of Oriental art In
great numbers, all bestowing praise upon It, and
many no. hesitating say that here was the finest
collection of textile art ever brought together IN
this country. This collection. made in Persia and
Turkey b. Mr. Topakyan with great effort and ex-
pense received more awards than any other one ex-
hbit at the Fair
Having a large stock still on hand at the close
OF the Fair Mr. Topakyan made sales in different
cities and then brought the rest of his goods to
New-York
Mr. Tcpalyan comes OF an old Armenian family
of high standing and his integrity is acknowledged
and testified to by most reputable citizens. He has
however been most bitterly attacked since mis- re-
turn from the Worlds Fair. those who have as
sailed him going 50 far as to telegraph TO out
of-town papers that goods sold by him were OF DO
nestle manufacture. These assaults upon MS repu-
tation are strongly denounced by Mr.. Topakyan's
friends who declare that these false and malicious
statements are made against him by jealous rivals
I'm business that the general depression or
trade has seriously affected the rug business ana
that because his sales well attended draw
ing to them what little trade there was In fine
rugs and tapestries. his less successful competitors
have endeavored to stop his dealings by backenin9
his reputation
Citing another instance of this persecution II Is
declared that warrant fer his arrest was recently
secured by false representations on the charge that
he was carrying a bogus auction sale 1t VIII be
remembered that upon hearing OF the arrest MT
Hatch OF Lord & Taylor offered TO appear and did
appear as Mr.. Topakyans bondsman. De Lancey
Nicou was his counsel Justice Mcmahon at the
hearing the next morning promptly gave Mr..
Topakyan an honorable discharge saying that he
had Issued the warrant under misrepresentation
They are indignant these series of perse-
cutons and wishing to set him before the pub
lie in the honorable light in which they are
confident he deserves to stand. they call
attention to the fact that his reputation and his
business methods have always been most highly
indorsed by the best houses in this country. and
Government and by the Worlds Fair officials, 50
that these attacks are poor reward ior MS iaoors
In behalf Of Persia and the FAR 81, -, l.,
They point further to the fact that his sales In
Pittsburg. Cincinnati and Rochester were conducted
prominent and reputable houses indorsed by firms
of high reputation Furthermore learning ming OF me
attacks upon Mr. Topalyan. these firms issued cards
in the newspapers indorsng Mr. Topakyan, ana
speaking of his collection In the highest terms
Ezekiel e. Bernhem. Of Cincinnati, for instance.
published the following: We hereby make an oher
small, that was sold by, us In the Topakyan sale
as an Oriental rug and which is not just what
Messrs Howe & Rogers, the well-known mr.
Ghan,s Of Rocneser M N fpsa qact b has
d.sanced all other foreign rugdeaers In the coun-
try consequently he has made them mad and that
~, cIlovin stStc,ne1t IRON George l. Davis Di-
Of the Worlds Columbian ENposl- |
IN view Of the publicity given to the position
the Exposition, this may certify tnat he was desg-
pratt. Commlssoner-Gene for the Government
OF Persia. to act as Commissioner IN all matters
lures Funding Mr. Topakyan recognized by |
the authorities Of the Exposition from and after |
signed by the Commssioner-General, and a Com |
mlss!oner's complimentary pass was issued to him |
is not Improper to that Mr. Topakyan erected
BIS own expense P2 gb cra nf eXbbt and
Contacted the same to the sa sat- an, ana ep
DrOVa OF the authorities OF the ENpCsllIOn tOr |
GEORGE r. DAVIS,
Director General Of the Worlds Columbian Expo |
sitOn."
Added 10 this Is the following from the Imperial |
Persian Commissioners from Teheran, Persia:
STATEMENT TO THE PUBLIC.
"Whorcas there has been considerable misunder-
standing as to the right Of Mr.. II. II. Topalyan |
to the title Of Commissioner and Exhibitor for
Persia Mira Iskender Khan Coroyantz and Arch
ague Khan Coroyan;z announce that Mr.. Topalyan |
was appointed as a Commissioner and Exhibitor for
Persia by the Hon. Il. Spencer Pratt the Com
General for the Government of Persia.
1t IS wcll-known fact that Mr.. Topakyan erected
In the Persian section of the Manufactures Build
ing at his own expense, a magnificent pavilion ana
most favorable comments from visitors and officials
alike. and that K proved OF great value TO the
Government which he represented.
I'VE wish to have Il distinctly understood and
settled beyond question before we return TO Persia.
which we expect to DO. that Mr.. Topakyan's |
exhibit for Persia has been a most creditabe one
in every respect. and that our relations are most
"SlIR2k IsKENDER KHAN COROYANTz (seaD.
"NRCHAGTE KHAN COROYANTH (seaD.
Imperial Persian Commissioners"
There Is shown also further testimonial a
scra pbook containing articles from sXty-eight or
the leading newspapers OF the United states includ-
ing those of this city speaking In the highest terms
Tho pleisant thing now to add Is that Mr.
Topa<yan has established his business home In the
snaclOlls rev six-stOry double warehouses; Nos
q and 81 West Twenty thrd-st. this city, where he
tatons IN his line, valued at neary $4,000.
MRS. CLEVELAND HOME AGAIN