The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-05
WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS
Address of the National President,
Mrs. Fuller.
Members Of ae Fourth National cOnpeltion:

We have assembled In National Convention TO
review the work accomplished during the third
year Of our history as a National organization. and
10 transact such business shall in your Judgment
best advance the interests of our Order for the
future.
A little more than IS months have elapsed since
by your suffraees was placed at the head OF this
wonderful organization, and conscientiously
say to you to-day that 10 the best OF my ability,
have been true 20 the trust you placed ia my keep
ing. Called 20 I'LL position TO which the two noble
women who had preceded me had brought such
able and efficient services with such grand results
and splendid achievements, ] assumed its duties
with many misgivnl,s but with undaunted courage
and hope trusting that He who had signally
blessed our efforts In the past would continue TO
strengthen and support Us ia every right endeavor,
and cooperation Of my associates in office that had
characterized all our previous efforts and inter
course. entered upon the discharge Of my duties
WORK OF THE YEAR.
Early i'm July we secured a room for National
Headquarters in the same building with our Ma
tiona Treasurer, which arrangement has proved
most convenient and pleasant for the transaction
of the official business OF the year.
To make our work correspond still more closely
10 that of The Grand Army. decided TO dispense
with the Office of National Corresponding Secreta-
ries. aud appoint a staff Of Aids who in every De-
partnlent should represent the National President
al all public gatherings and In every possible way
extend the work Of our organization.
Ia General Orders, No. /, the following named
members were appointed as National Aids, with
special work assigned them for those States and
Territories where Order was not fully estab-
lishcd viz: Tennessee, Mrs. Harriet T.. Lloyd, Of
Cincinnati. o.; New Mexico, Mrs. Lizzie Anderson
OF Topeka Kan; District OF Columbia, Mrs Mary
Kate Il. Jones. Of lion, n. Y; Utah. Mrs. Ida T.
Lincoln, OF salt Lake City; Department OF the Gulf
Mrs. Helen H. Rich, of St Joseph. Mo.
Quite early in the year Mrs Logan felt compelled
10 resign her position. as great press Of duties
prevented her from giving the time needed 10 this
work. Ia March Mrs. Rich was obliged to resign
her work for the Department Of the Gulf and Mrs
Frances i. Russell Of GAINESVILLE o.. was appointed
TO ill the vacancy; and these ladies have each per-
formed noble service shown in the report OF the
National Instiiuting and Installing Officer.
General Orders, No. !, also gave ia brief the
special enacimenis Of the Third National Conven-
ton, and in accordance with its action, whereby
the Department Of Pennsylvania had been re-
manded 10 Provisional Department, by reason OF
heavy financial embarrassments, caused by the de-
falcafion of it's DEPARTMENT Treasurer appointed
Mrs. Annie Wtcnmyer, Of Philadelphia, as Pro-
visionai President of that Department; and under
her excellent management and persistent efforts,
seconded most heartily by her able staff OF officers
the Indebtedness 10 National Headquarters has
been nearly cancelled and the full Department re-
insiatcd. with Mrs. Wttenmyer as Department
President. The grand showing Of n total gain OF
2l Corps during the year is an evidence OF the zeal
Of those earnest workers, and our sincere thanks
are due them for their faithful efforts in behalf Of
Relief Corps work.
To ssill further carry on the work 50 noby begun
last year by the committee relief Of army work
ers widows and orphans. the following named
members were appointed as a committee ON pen
SONS Tor army nurses and relief for army WORKERS;
Mrs. 4. Florence Barker. Maiden Mass; Mrs Kate
b. Sherwood. Toledo. o.; Mrs. Mary A. Logan,
Washington, ID. C.; Mrs. Annie whtennyer. Phia-
delphia Pa; Mrs Elizabeth ID A Kline, san Fran
cisco Cal and your special attention is called 10
the report II that committee.
trust this Convention will give earnest heed 10
any and all recommendations in that report, for
assured that those ladies have given 90 the work
inirusied 10 them the most careful and earnest
thought and consideration.
GROWTH AND EXTENSION OF THE ORDER.
To hold the Order to the high standard ii had
already attained, and TO encourage and stimulate
the growth and extension OF work. has been
the constant purpose OF the present administration,
aud your careful attention l. called 10 the tabuaicd
report of The National Secretary, showing asit does
a most gratifying summary Of the years work.
With a membership Of IS women nj the date OF the
National Organization. July 25. 1883. We nave to-
day more than 5000 loyal hearted. patriotic
/ women who are banded together with but one
grand object Ia view viz to aid and assist the vet
eran soldiers and sailors Of the late rebellion. and
having expended in the work OF relief among tie
veterans their needy families, more than $500
the past year, and turned over TO Posts more than
$4,000. we think the proof conclusive that we have
/ been true to principles. In every Department
/ there have been steady gains IN membership and
the most encouraging improvements In ali the
i methods Of our work.
Perhaps in no Department have our members
i labored under such disadvantages a. in Maine.
owing 10 the existence there Of the State Relief
Corps As ~ well known TO you all. that organiza-
uon j. composed Of earnest, noble women. who are
trying 10 accomplish the same patriotic. charitable
work i"f TIE veteran soialsr ana sals"f as 90 the
members Of the National W0mans Relief Corps;
but differing from this organization In its eligibility
/ 10 membership. they have yet refused all over
lures unite and cooperate with In the prose-
cuiion Of this grand work.
Fully approaching their efforts In the interest OF
The Grand Army, aad also those OF other societies,
4 Of whatever name, either Loyal Ladies League or
| Ladies Of the GAR. the National President has
ever counselled the members OF our Order not ia
any way % aniagonize or conflict with the work Of
those organizations but while using all honorable
/ means 10 extend our Order, seek TO win those
ladies 10 unite ia grand and powerful Organiza
/ ton OF the whole and show 10 the world National
/ % .ON a- q
iou earth can boast Of. With the fullest assur-
aBces Of sympathy all that remains for us 10 do Is
TO renew the invitation TO our sister workers 70 al
/ In and 20 with
In the Department Of Rhode Island we have
failed to secure the interest and endorsements Of
our work among the comrades Of the Grand Army
that we had confidently hoped. but 10 the faithful
and constant efforts Of the Provisional Department
President, Mrs. Emily J.. Slbley. and her associates
/ we are greatly indebted. The Provisional Depart-
mcnt Of Washington Territory has just organized
its seventh Corps, but as the expense of Depart
mcnt Convention would he heavy tax upon the
Corps aud many members desired TO attend this
meeting. il decided 10 defer the organization of
a full Department until after this Convention. To
The Provisional Department President, Mrs. Viola
a. Kenyon. n due great credit for her continued
and intelligent efforts 70 hold the interest IN the
work Of our Order. Mrs Mary L. Reynolds, Pro-
visional President Of Kentucky, u also entitled to
our highest respect for her earnest. loyal work Ia
that Department The organization Of a Provisional
Department la New Mexico must be credited 10 the
faithful, hard work Of our loved and respcc e Past
National Junior Vice President, Mrs Lizzi. An.eT-
] lad
characterized ali her efforts since the National Or
gRnizatiOn, Mrs Anderson rendered her services
The National President for New Mexico and the
Details of her work there were deeply interesting
and emnentiy successful, and must ever remain az
a monument TO her loving loyal services in the
I interests OF the veterans In her labors she was
nobly aided by many ladies already members oi
our Order. but not having bad personal instructions
Ia the forms Of work, they unable 10 make
any considerable progress until after Mrs. Ander-
visit, but have since manifested the most
nendable zeal aud interest, and on the rrcOmInen
dalton Of Past Department Commander g. J. Fiiz-
= Rerrell. Mrs. Cassie Henderson was appointed
Provisional President, and with staff 0f officer,
u laboring with excellent results ia Utah and
Idaho Mrs. Ida D.. Lincoln. Of Salt Lake City. hai
= devoted much time aud strength and her effort
z have been rewarded by the organization Of "A Pro
G yisiOnA Department having three Corps, and TIA,
: National President was most happy To carry int6
= effect the recommendations adopted by the las
= Lncampment of the Grand Army in that Depart
v ncDt by the appointment of Mrs. Lincoln as Pro
yisiOnal President. Ia Virginia there are now fy
. Corps. but u was deemed unadyisable to organize
full Department at present. the membership
c quite small
a FINANCE.
desire 10 call your attention TO the report Of th
! National Treasurer where it will be that Ia
strictest economy has been praciised In every dc
tail Of the work. IL has been the aim Of this ad
mnisirtion 10 keep the expenditures al the loves
- possible figure consistent with necessary work
n There have been no travelling expenses incurre
except the comparatively small amount for inspeS
tions in Provisional Departments and for AssisiaI
National Inspectors iB the work Of inspecting ia
several Department Headquarters, and the smn
amount used for expenses Of National President o
Official business 10 the Departments OF New Yorl
J. Illinois Ohio and Pennsylvania, Of which sum iii
os generously refunded S66 TO the National Treas
l.