The Washington times., 1901-12-01
FINE NEGRO EXHIBITS.
Now d Fixed and Valuable Feature
of International ExpOsiti0ns.
Tbe Approaching One mt Charleston
Said TO lie the Most Elaborate
Ever Attempted-Educat
al Department Strong.

Negro exhibits have come to be a fixed
feature of American expositions. and the
South Carolina Interstate and West In
dian Exposition, which opens tomorrow
In Charleston, South Carolina, is no ex-
eeption TO the general rIle. The first
negrv exhibit was collected in 1881 as a
part of the Cotton States Exposition in
New. Orleans, La. It was badly placed in
long gallery. where it was diilcult to
approach. and more difficult to see. 1t
lacked the essential feature Of a pleas
ing arrangement. and was too much in
contrast with the purely commercial ex-
hibits. Notwithstanding the drawbacks
the exhibit was a success.
Ten years later the Atlanta exposition
was held, and almost The first department
to be arranged for was Gre devoted 20 the
negro. The mistakes AID failures OF the
New Orleans exposition were guarded
against. and the management OF The At
lanta exposition decided to erect 4 sep
arate building, in which they might so
arrange and group their exhibit that he
progress and development Of The negro
race since emancipation would stand out
clearly and distinctly. commOdious
structure was ere tied, and was filled with
a magnificent collection Of material Then
followed a similar venture at Nashsll lie.
Tenn, in 1897 The Paris negro exhibit
last year had the same obIe';. although
it was prepared more Us social stuiy
and did not have a separate building.
The directors Of the Charleston Expo
sition early provided for the negro. and
chose Mr.. Booker T. Washington as the
chief commissioner. Nearly two acres of
ground we're SC: aside for large build
ing, and an Industrial community to sur
round it. Mr.. T. J. Jackson, a very in
teIllgent man. who is graduate Of Fisk
University, and has been a teacher at the
Tuskegee Institute. has supervised the
collection Of material. DR. W. d. Crum, |
of Charleston, S. c.. one OF the most sue |
cessful colored physicians in the country, /
has acted as assistant chief commission
er. The executive committee consists OF !
several progressive colored men of |
Charleston. and the various departments !
are under the following management: /
Education, Kelly Miller, a professor in |
home life. J. W. E. Bowen. "A professor
in Cannon Theological Seminary. At |
lanta, Ga. morals and religion. NJ b. |
Salter, Bishop Of the African Methodist /,
Episcopal Church; manufactures. T. w. /
Thurston, manager Of a silk factory at |
Fayetteville n. G.. dentistry. R. ]. Mac |
Beth whose dental parlors are in
Charleston; arts. A. l.. Macbeth, sue
ccssful photographer in Charleston; agri- /
culture, Thomas E. Miller, president of !
the Colored Agricultural College Orange !
burg, s. C., and woman's work, Mrs. E.
f. Sterrett OF Charleston. !
These bureaus have done great deal OF
work. and have succeeded in collecting a ,
display thoroughly ereditable and deserv-
ing of visit. OF course the failure of !
Congress to make any appropriation for !
this exposition has hampered all depart
ments. and visitors who make the trip
South this winter should hold this in mind !