The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-27
OF INTEREST TO WOMEN
An OPEN LETTER TO CLUB WOMEN
ON WRITING OF CLUB PAPERS.
The Observation-Disclosures Good Institu-
tiOn when He Can BE Had--NeedIe-
Work I'm Fashion Again.

\ mysterious fate has decreed that there
shall Be certain thousands of papers manu-
featured yearly by as many individuals and
read To many more thousands who are
formed into societies for the express pur-
pose of encouraging this form of mental
and moral exercise, says Ada g. Sweet in
the Womans Home Companion. That We
may escape this dspensation is past pray
ing for. Wily-nilly we must hear papers.
Is it possible, then, since it must exist, TO
modify, soften and humanize the paper
1t is but d faint wish of mine rather than
hope that something may be done in this
humane field. In this spirit and spurred on
only by the rigors and hardships of the
situation 1 shall put forth a few meager
propositions as to desirable changes in a
prevailing custom.
Let us suppose then, madam, that you
are asked to prepare a paper on-well on
"Circassian Camels as Assisting Evolu-
ton" if this is the very beginning l beg
you say No" But 1 fear that is useless
advice. You will not depart from the gen.
eral rule and habit of the day. You are an
unwilling but determined martyr. You say
Yes" You go on your way and for time
think no more than usual about Circassian
camels; only whenever you hear paper,
which you do once or twice each week, you
mentally resolve that when your turn comes
you will read something worth while.
At last the figures on the calendar warn
you and you begin to work on your paper.
What do you do? You read. You know
nothing about Circassian camels, you know
nothing about volution, although you have
ord hrrn f7rn1 oil nd
about evolution. Never mind, you read ev-
cry book you can find about camels, Circas-
SLAMS and evolution. You pore over ency-
clOpedias and dictionaries, YOU make vol
luminous notes, and finally you sit down to
your little rosewood desk and write. and
write and write. Then you read over to
yourself what you have written, comparing
il with what you have copied out of refer
ence books, and then you read it to your
husband some evening when he is at home
with a SICK headache. He praises you, good
soul and your cheeks are flushed with joy
and pride.
When your day comes you stand up in
your best walking-gown and hat and read
I'm a half-inaudible voice your paper. Those
who can hear wish they couldn't, and those
who can't hear wish they could. When it is
over all are equally complimentary and
congratulatOry. They know nothing about
CircaSsian camelS, and they have found out
that you knew nothing about Circassian
camels and all of you think what a great
thing il is to have at hand lot of handy
DOCKS OF reference anu NIll6 pdltIS.
Now, this to you so satisfactory proceed
ing is not at all what it might be, you will
allow. speaking frankly. Let me make my
suggestions. They are few and short as
the words they said at the famous burial.
First, never write any paper whatsoever.
Second, if you do. don't be driven into
writing a paper upon a subject with which
you are not familiar. and about which you
have not thought much, and have not some
thing to say that you think ought to be
said. The only excuse any one has for
writing and reading an essay is that he or
she has something important or amusing to
say
Third, any one can read encyclopedias
and reference books. Only few have the
power of original thought. If you have no
thought of your own to tell, don't write a
paper. And even If you have some thoughts
that seem to you worth telling you should
be sure that you have the rare power of
literary expression before you set your
ideas down TO be read to half "A dozen in
telligent people.
AS to the Circassian camel and its part
i'm evolution there may be a great deal
worth saying, but you ought TO be able
to declare at once that you cannot write
so when the paper was asked of you means
that your intelligence has succumbed to
a general custom. and that you are con-
tent TO take foolish part because every
one else around you does the same thing.
Remember that the paper as an institu-
ton is tolerable only as those who have
something 10 say. and can say IL well, write
and read it. Unless you are sure that you
belong to this rare class of persons, stlll
say. for the sake of the world at large,
Don't write "A paper" There are enough
people who will write and read papers, and
can't be stopped. Don't be one of the su-
perfuous.
of ms have peace. Selah!