The National tribune., 1884-08-07
W0MAN'S RELIEF CORPS
Pres. Kate B. Sherwood's First Gen
eral Order.
HEADQUARTERS WoMAN's RELIEF CORPS

me by the Second Annual Convention National
Woman's Relief Corps, held at Minneapolis. July
49, "a and %, 1854, in my election as President,
now assume the duties of the office. The conyen-
ton just closed was characterized by spirit of
harmony and manifest determination to sink all
personal preferences for the good of the common
Order that is the best augury for future growth and
usefulness This is the more significant, as in the
Convention were many women of the most dis
tinguished ability, both orators and organizers,
seeking nothing for themselves, but centering all
thoughts and desires in the high and holy purpose
of conserving the best interests of the Grand Army
of the Republic. Thus it was that, with a unanim-
ity never exceeded, Annie Wittenmyer. the hon.
ored army nurse and organizer of the diet Kitchens
beloved in memory of every soldier in the land,
was made the Chaplain of the Order to which she
has pledged her work and prayers; while Jennie
T.. Gauslin Maish, loyal woman of Winchester,
Va, who was imprisoned Is days in Castle Thun-
der for her care of wounded Union soldiers, was
elected to the office of Guard. With the prayers
and guidance of women like these, holding the
Womans Relief Corps with the bonds of affection
welded on the battlefield, to the Grand Army of
the Republic, there can be question as to the
empire of love it is theirs to enter and to occupy.
The refusal of our honored
PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENT, e. FLORENCE
BARKER,
to continue her arduous duties another year COM
mits the National Woman's Relief Corps to the one
term principle, and admonishes the Departments
OF the need OF earnest, organized, loving work,
that, when another call is made there shall be
uncertainty as to where the choice should rest.
The development of our Order III country of such
vast extent and magnitude, rests in the modifying
of forces and the wide dissemination of our work
through strong personal medium. 1t rejoices me
greatly that the Convention, having this In mind,
conferred the honor and responsibility of National
Senior Vlce-President upon
SARAH E. FULLER,
of East Boston, Mass, our worthy Past Secretary
the widow of a brave soldier who gave up his life
Tor his country's cause and a woman identified,
since the with the growth of the Grand Army
charities in New England; and of Junior Vice
President upon
LIZZIE ANDERSON,
of Topeka KAN wife of Gen. r. J. Anderson
Department Commander of that great soldier
State, and charter member of the National
Womans Relief Corps. From these competent
Commanders of the Eastern and Western wings of
our army of fraternal charities. the comrades and
the Corps everywhere may expect prompt and effi-
cient work, and the heart of the President sstayed
In the thought that they will faithfully stand as her
representative when personal presence and eoun-
sells desired They will also institute Corps and
perform installation services when it is desired
Together may we present to the Third Annual Con-
vention results as satisfactory those which have
rounded the administration which has just closed
made possible through the faith and zeal and boun
teous charity of Il. Florence Barker, our first Presi
dent, who, out OF confusion and doubt, has led US
to organization, and honor, and victory.
ORDERS.
I. Headquarters for the year will be at Toledo
O., and by courtesy of COMMANDMENT Chief John
. AountZ, IN connection with Headquarters Grand
Army of the Republic
Ill. The following appointments are announced
Emma D. Sibley, Toledo, o., TO be National Secre-
tary; Mary Girard Clinton, Iowa Deborah g.
King, Lincoln, Ncb.; Kate E. Jones, lion, n. ";
Adaline i. Kent Portsmouth n. H.. Emma s.
Hampton. Detroit, Mich. Maggie Davis, Brook
Ign, n. Y; NJ Susie Goodale, Medford Mass;
Julia S. Bowen, Hastings. Neb; Maggie Monroe,
Agency City, Iowa; Frances c. y. Russell, Zane5-
VILE o.; Mary j. Telford, Denver Colo, Core
spending Secretaries. Corresponding Secretaries
will answer all inquiries addressed them by Posts
of the Grand Army desiring the formation of Re-
lief Corps reporting the same to Headquarters for
and nc drttia
may properly come up. They are also empowered
10 initiate Corps and perform the services of install
lition IN states or Territories having no Depart
ments, and may offieiate IN States and Territories
having Departments, by request, or with the con-
sent of the Department President.
III. The offices of National Treasurer and In
spector elective in the Womans Relief Corps.
All orders for supplies and all money forwarded
should be addressed to Lizbeth A. Turner, IA Tenn
prompt services during the year that is past, was
complimented with unanimous reelection. The
National Inspector is Sarah O. Nichols, President
Department of New York Auburn, n. Y, who will
be obeyed and respected accordingly.
~. Provisional Presidents of Departments have
been appointed as follows: Kate G. Wright, Presi-
dent George y. Morgan Relief Corps, Minneapolis
Mimi, to be President of the Department of Mime
sofa; Mrs. G.. Mason Kinne President Lincoln Re-
lief Corps, san Francisco CAL, TO be President of
the Department Of California; Helen Hinsdale
Rich, President Custer Relief Corps, st. Joseph
Mo- to be President of the Department of Missouri
V. Commanders OF the various Departments G.
A r., and Grand Army papers everywhere are
earnestly requested TO mention the Woman's Re-
lef Corps in General Orders for the information of
Posts. In New Jersey comrades will address for
information Department Commander Henry NJ.
Neyius, Red Bank, N j., and in Tennessee De-
partment Commander Edward s. Jones, Nashville,
Tenn.
APPOINTMENTS.
In aid of the work in States and Territories having
no Departments of Woman's Relief Corps the fol-
lowing appointments made: Mrs NJ. II. Jones,
wife of the Department Commander Nashville
Tenn. IN p
Falls, Dakota; Maggie a. Bywater Seattle WASH
ington Territory; EliaG Sherwood, Guard, Custer
Corps, ST. Joseph, Mo. Other appointments viii be
made from time to time the needs of the service
require.
OFFICIAL DECISIONS.
vi. Attention of Department and Corps Presi-
dents is earnestly called to the following decisions
of the Second Annual Convention w. r. c.:
l. To make the Office OF National Department and
Corps Secretary an appointive office instead of
elective, by the President But that no removal of
National or Department Secretary can be made,
except by twothirds ofthe officers of the Staff
and Board of Directors And that no Corps Secre-
tary can be removed from Office except by q two
thirds vote of the Corps.
q That the National per capita tax be two cents
month for each member of the Corps as last year.
g. That relief fund be established by National
Headquarters and Departments, to be discussed by
the President of the same, to meet the cases of
needy army nurses and other women who have
had no recognition from the Government for i'm
porant services rendered, and whose cases do not
properly come under the work of local Corps Also,
that each Corps may have, hold and disburse a re-
lief fund.
f. That the National Advisory Board shall con-
sist of the retiring President l.. Florence Barker
and the Department Presidents, with the official
staff.
5. That Departments be allowed to hold their
Annual Conventions at the same time and place OF
the Department Encampments of the GA r.
q. That we CO. operate with the Grand Army of the
Republic In securing from Congress substantial
recognition OF the services of Anna Ella Carroll,
who spent fortune for her country and is now
suffering for hospital attendance and the common
necessities of life; also, of all army nurses and
others who have rendered like services and are
suffering from present neglect.
z. That n Good and Welfare card with questions
and responses, be adopted as a proper closing for
every Corps, to be issued with the supplies OF the
same and that the voting sign of the Woman's
Relief Corps be the uplifted hand
| s. That all loyal women be eligible to member.
ship in the Woman's Relief Corps This was car
ried after an earnest and eloquent discussion by
vote Of 76 ayes to nays of the delegates present
9. That uniform floor badge be issued consisting
| OF the Maltese cross of the Woman's Relief Corps
| suspended by -whte-and-biue ribbon from
| the q. A. r. star. That Corps already supplied be
allowed to use their present badge for the year
| should they SO elect.
| COMMUNICATING AND ENFORCING ORDERS.
| VII. The attention of all Corps and Department
Presidents is called to the importance of impartine
all official orders without delay to their respective
commands and OF enforcing all orders from proper
authority; of the importance of promptly forward
ing all returns and of preserving discipline har.
mony and concerted action. 1t is for them tc
determine that Secretaries and Treasurers properly
| and promptly perform their respective duties anC
that all dues returned at the proper time 1t il
| recommended that they continue in close confer
| ence with the proper officers of the Grand Army O
the Republic within their respective jurisdictions
and that they take no important step without the
| advice and cooperation of the same. Let then
| bear in mind ut all times that the Womans Relic