The National tribune., 1885-07-09
RELIEF CORPS NEWS.
Gleanings from National Headquar-
terS--NOteS from the Departments.
PORTLAND CONVENTION.
LEGISLATION and Incidents.

PORTLAND CONVENTION.
Legislation and Incidents.
The second day Of the third annual conven-
tiou was devoted to business routine, the sea
excursion and a reception rendered by Gov.
Robie and staff, with their ladies, at the parlors
of the Falmouth Hotel. In order to accom-
plish the sea excursion the convention had
agreed to go into convention at o'clock IN the
morning when the delegates were largely In
their seats.
The most important action of convention was
the adoption of revised rules and regulations
presented BY the National President Mrs. Sher-
wood, bringing the Womans Relief Corps IN
line with the Grand Army, as recommended IN
her annual address. 1t was also unanimously
voted to continue the work of relief in behalf
of army nurses and their widows and orphans,
so well begun the past year. The decisions ana
opinions of the National President were sus-
tanned. and all the recommendations approved,
except that instead of requiring objections TO
be stated in all cases by members opposed TO
the admission of candidates, it now requires
four black balls for every 20 members to reject,
instead Of three, irrespective of the number OF
voting members i'm a Corps. The cash system
has been recommended in all transactions be-
tween Department aud National Treasurers
OFFICERS REPORTS.
The reports as presented at convention in
tional Senior Vice President, National Junior
Vice President, National Secretary, and Ma
tional Treasurer and National lnstitutlng and
Installing Officer. A verbal report was made
by the National Chaplain, which, with National
Inspectors report, will be embodied in pamphlet
form, and copy mailed to every delegate.
Those desiring extra copies may secure the
same by forwarding their names to Emma u.
Sibley, Past National Secretary, Toledo, u,
inclosing ten cents for each extra copy. To
the above should be added the report of the
Committee for the Relief of Army Workers. the
provisions of which provide for continuance
of relief work, and the appointment of Pen
sion Committee to aid in securing Justice to our
neglected women Of the war. Eligibility at
sixteen, instead of eighteen, has been provided
for, and is measure calculated to strengthen
the Corps all over the West
INCIDENTS OF CONVENTION.
Many honors were showered upon the third
annual convention, of which the ladies are
Justly proud. Not the least of these was the
official visit from Gov. Robbie and staff. accom-
panied by Gov. Alger, of Michigan. When the
announcement of the presence of the visiting
comrades was made business was suspended, and
the distinguished guests escorted to the plat
form BY Mrs Barker, Past National President,
convention rising. The President then called
upon the ladies to give their prettiest
salute which was done. She then welcomed
the visitors in few appropriate words,
when Gov Robbie delivered a most happy ad-
dress, complimenting the convention and in
dorsing the work in which the Womans Re-
lief Corps is engaged. Gov. Robbie announced
himself a pronounced advocate of woman suf-
frage. which, perhaps, accounted for his pleas
ure in looking upon so well ordered a conven-
tion. Gov. Alger spoke briefly, but to the
point, and alluded to the appropriation made
by the Michigan Legislature of S150,00O to
start a Soldiers Home. He congratulated the
Michigan delegation, and indicated the need
of Michigan for their services when the Home
should be built. This brought forth the re-
mark from the President, that Gen. Burst. of
Illinois, had received the news of 100000
appropriation in that State, the cheering news
of which had been communicated to conven-
ton. News of an appropriation of 100000 in
Pennsylvania had also been learned, and the
President pledged the Relief Corps in each
State to work for the Soldiers Home, as the
Massachusetts, women are doing fer the Home
at Chelsea, on Powder Horn Hill.
COmrade Nonnes of Delaware was received
as 8 special messenger from the Encampment,
bringing the glad news that $500 had been
voted to Mother" Bickerdyke. This, follow
ing the news that the Encampment had in
structed the Pension Committee to act vigor-
ously upon her claim, was good news to the
convention. Contributions now received by
National Treasurer can now be directed to the
general fund, upon which the calls are numer-
GUS
The sea excursion, rendered by the Womans
State Relief Corps, was most enjoyable. There
had been no adjournment for dinner and the
visitors found a welcome lunch provided by
the good ladies of Portland, an army lunch,
which was the more appreciated. To Mr. Whit
man Sawyer, Mrs. A. NJ Sawyer, Mrs. ingalls,,
President of Bosworth Relief Corps, and other
ladies' the convention recognized their obliga-
tions for this rare pleasure. The sail in the
bay, among the beautiful islands, was one ever
to be remembered.
Among the resolutions reported by the Com
mittee on Resolutions, Mrs Lotte L. Myers,
chairman,) was one thanking the State Corps
ladies for their fraternal courtesies; to Bos-
worth Relief Corps for the use of the hall and
its beautiful decorations, and to the State Corps
for the sea excursion and their arrangements
for entertainment of delegates.
Following the sail brief evening session
was held, when The Drummer Boy of the
Rappahannock," accompanied by Mexican
veteran with bass drum, presented him
self at the hall and rendered the ladies an es-
cort to the Falmouth Hotel, to Gov Robes re-
ception. The soldier boy of Minnesota, in
charge of the live eagle carried in procession,
also presented himself he having handed the
President letter from Comrade c. w. Rarnes
OF Minneapolis, presenting the eagle to the
convention, to be in turn presented to. the
Grand Army to be held by the Post of which
the COmmander-in- Chief is a member and SO
passed to his successor and his Post. Comrade
Henderson,, the Drummer Boy, was intro
6uced, while the President read the inscrip-
ton on the silver drum, presented him by the
New York Tribune in 1862. He gave some STIR
ring calls, and then the comrade with the eagle
came to the platform and the eagle formally
christened by convention, Ulysses S. Grant.
Later the National President presented the
eagle. in an official letter. to Commander in
Chief s. S. Burdett, who accepted the same in
behalf of his Post at Washington.
Gov. Robes reception was a brilliant affair
and hundreds Of ladies, comrades and citizens
called to pay their respects. Gen. and Mrs
Logan were among the guests Of the evening,
surrendered by throngs Of admirers from the
moment of their entrance Mrs. Logan was
very beautiful in a pale blue satin dress, her
lint white hair worn pompadour and was as
cordial and sweet as ever to all who approached
her for word. The Woman's Relief Corps are
very proud that she is numbered among them,
being member of Lincoln Corps, Chicago. By
the way, Mrs. Logan, who has fine collection
Of badges, was made the recipient of souvenirs
from several friends, Ohio sending her the
beautiful white badge embroidered in yellow
silk, 1.-THE gift to the delegates from Hazlett
Relief Corps, GAINESVILLE with buckeye pend
ant bearing the letters GAR"
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
Friday morning the officers were installed in
the presence of visiting comrades including