The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-08-02
wOMAN'S AUXILIARIES.
The Conference OF Delegates-4 National Society
Organized.


In response to a call from Paul Van Dervoort,
Commander-in-Chie of the Grand Army of the
Republic, the various Relief Corps, Leagues and
other Woman's Auxiliaries of the g. A. r., met at
headquarters of the Patriotic Sons of America,
Denver. at 2:30 p. m. Wednesday, July %, 1883,
to organize themselves into National Ass0cia-
ton. After warm address of welcome from
Mrs q. K. StimSon, president of the Geneva
Auxiliary, G.. A. R., Mrs. Z. Florence Barker,
of Maiden, Massachusetts,, president of the
Union Board of Relief Corps of New England,
was called TO the chair and Mrs. Kate 3. Sher-
wood, president of Forsyth Post Woman's Aux
ilary, of Toledo o., elected secretary. After
prayer by Mrs Sarah e. Fuller, of Boston, sec
rotary of the Woman's Relief Corps, it was
resolved, upon motion of Mrs. Kate b. Sher-
wood, seconded by Mrs. Laura MeNier, secTe-
tary OF the Loyal Ladies League of New Jer-
sey, that the meeting resolve itself into q COM
nittee of the whole ii order TO hear expressions
and plans from the ladies present as to the
feasibility of i national organization, TO bring
about, if possible, some unanimity OF action as
to its scope and plan. The president called
upon Mrs Sherwood, of Toledo, who gave an
outline of the various departments and kinds
OF Auxiliary aids, referring TO the Relief Corps
of New England holding TO secret work, o
ritual, and the eligibility to the Order of all
loyal women; TO the Loyal Ladies League, of
New Jersey, holding TO secret work, but the
exclusion of all but the wives, mothers, sisters,
and daughters of soldiers, and to the various
Post Auxiliares, organized and conducted on
the old Aid Society plan, some limiting mem
berShip to the near relatives OF soldiers, but
the vast majority asking and welcoming the
help of all loyal women.
Mrs. Hugg, of New jersey, moved that those
reporting be limited to five minutes. Mrs.
Teliord, of Denver, seconded the motion. The
motion prevailed. Mrs. Emily Thornton
Charles, president of Lincoln Post Womans
Relief Corps. Washington, ID c. reported for
the Department of the Potomac, favoring secret
work, and the eligibility of soldiers wives,
mothers. and sisters only. At the expiration
of five minutes Mrs. Charles time was extend
ed. Mrs. G. L. Clarke, secretary of the Wom-
ans Soldiers Aid Society, of Columbus, Ohio
favored open meetings and the eligibility of all
loyal women. Mrs. NcNier, of New jersey,
had taken the platform N favor of secret work
and exclusive membership, when her remarks
were cut short by the arrival of the Com
mander-iu- Chief, Paul Van DervOort, eeeonlpa-
MED by Chaplain in- Chief ]. NJ Foster, OF New
York General Hazard, of Pennsylvania, and
Past Department Commander HOughton, Of
New Jersey. The ComTaandcr-iuC Chief and
party were conducted to the platform by Mrs.
H. A. Turner, of the Woman's Relief Corps
Boston, Mass, where they were appropriately
welcomed BY the chairman, and seated up0n
her right and left. Mrs. AIcNier was recalled
to the PLATFORM and given increased tims to
allow for the interruption of her remarks.
Mrs, NJ. f. Shields, of Colorado Springs, Col
Mrs. N. N. Sheets, of Canyon City, Col; Mrs.
S. E. Fuller, of Boston, Mass, aud 3Irs. Sher-
man, of Colorado Springs warmly advocated
the eligibility OF all loyal women.
The Commander-in- Chief being called upon
gave emphatic utteranee to his views, which IA
vored immediate organization under some form
making all loyal women of America eligible to
membership. His views as to the desiTa5ility
of such order were warmly seconded by Chap
lain-in-C Chief Foster and Col. Hazard. Colonel
Houghton, of New Jersey, favored an organisa-
tion restricting membership, and the postpone