The National tribune., 1886-05-27

maine at the National Encampment at San
Francisco.
The President, Department of Massachusetts,,
Mrs. S. Agnes Parker, reports visit to some of
the Corps in western Massachusetts,. These
Corps being so remote from Department Head
quarters seldom have the privilege of fraternal
visits from either officers or members of the
Order, and Mrs. Parker says of her trip it was
most delightful, and the Corps are very earnest
to receive instructions and al doing good
work.
MEMORIAL DAY
Scatter the floral tributes
Over the thickenng graves;
On the sun kissed air, unstained and fair,
Our splendid banner waves
Freedom grows well in our country's soil
Behold how it blooms and thrives;
But we must not forget that its roots were wes
-EUa Wheeler WReor.
In every Department extensive preparations
are going on by the Corps for the proper observ-
ance Of Memorial Day. Some of the Memorial
Orders are very beautiful, and all remember to
arrange Memorials for the Unknown Dead.
Echo.
DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN.
From the excellent address of Mrs. Emma g.
Hampton, the retiring Department President Of
Michigan, we reproduce the following. as indieat-
ing what can be done by the loyal women Of the
land In systematic, business-lize work, when once
they Get about e.:
The woman's Relief Corps, Department Of Michi-
gan, was organized April 2 1884, with 10 Corps and
about 800 members At the second annual Conven-
ton Feb ii, 1855, No. 30 was reported organized,
but No. II being vacant there were 81 regular Corps,
with membership OF ,05l, gain of Fl Corps and
zoo members in a little more than 10 months
There have been added since last Convention 81
new Corps and l, 453 members Voluntarily dis
banded, three; disbanded TO reorganize one; char
ter revoked, one; under suspension, one.
krom the first to the last OF my administration
have aimed TO establish a thorough system Of APP
proved discipline and government, such as would
place us in the highest rank Of excellence as q
As Michigan did her duty In theswar so now let
her daughters emulate the example, and IL we be
anything in this holy cause Let US never rest until
we stand prominent in discipline, unselsh charity,
and purity Of purpose
This grand achievement lies with you, ladies, In
diyidualy and as Corps Knowledge first Of What
provided with all the printed matter published
purposely for your benefit You have before you,
to learn from Just what we have AZ Headquarters
Do not put II under a busheI and then cry for
light IT'S the duty Of every officer and the privi-
lege of every member To make herself perfectly
familiar with all the workings Of the Corps Officers
who do not should resign, that their places may be
filed with those who will do their duty.
Each one Of the Sl Corps organized this year has
had exactly the same supplies furnished them, each
paying the same price, sl8. These are regua-
ton supplies, purposely gotten up for Corps use,
which lessen and simplify Corps work There
have made none in our list, preferring to be uni
form during the year. We have adhered strictly
charm. all parties being better satisfied. We would
call particular attention TO the TreasureT's report
and the system employed in keeping her books.
The perNcapita tax having been cut down one
half nj our last Convention, has necessitated the
most rigid economy. as from the remaining one
half must come oil the expenses, and the surplus.
were IL possible for any to accrue Not a shilling
has been spent where IL could be saved. We COM
menced our system Of economy by sending large
orders accompanied by cash to National Treasurer
and having goods shipped by freight, saving $3.50
on the first order thus sent. This for s23i and
astonshed the National Treasurer, such n thing
had been unknown to her before. She wrote the
come to her in the form Of an order from Michigan
| for SZ3l cash with the order" National Annual
Report Of July, said 49, 600 was owing them from
Departments. Happily none Of this from our State
Michigan has earned the enyiable reputation Of
being the Business Department, and was thus pub
licly declared at National Convention. Let ever
/ retain it.
When we consider that 81 Corps have been added
| during the year, you can form some idea OF the
/ amount Of labor performed and expense incurred.
The grand results attained have been because OF
diligent. honest, persistent work. have devoted
my whole time to II, studying. planning, calcula-
ting have travelled 3O5 miles In the Interest of
the Order at a cost TO the Department OF S5isl II
to this be added the tour OF inspection the total
| mileage Is ,2lS, with a total expense OF S746S
have travelled 252 miles at cost TO the Depart
| ment; have never missed an appointment have
| been the recipient Of many favoTs from different
L
l!ely tender them my thanks especially TO those OF
the Grand Trunk, Detroit, Grand Haven * Mil
wankee, and Detroit. Lansing q Northern Roads.
With their kind help many things have been accom-
| plished that could not have been without and we
| owe more than one successful outcome TO their
generosity, the bodily presence OF official au-
| thoriiy IN sometimes a necessity. The funds from
the treasury were only used when all else failed.
have personally organized and instructed Fl
| Corps and Installed their officers. With one excep-
ton the installations have been public Neighbor-
ing Corps have always been invited 10 attend and
assist at these organizations thereby giving OPP
portunity TO ask questions and improve their work
| and more than oil 10 planta kindly feeling the
fruits OF which are more precious than gold. have
personally visited IS Corps, and with one exception
have been received with open arms and heart and
| felt on my departure that we had been mutually
benefited and inspired with new enthusiasm The
eaGerness with which the great majority of Corps
adopt the revised and approved plans of govern
ment Is very encouraging, as u shows a desire 70
conform strictly TO a system which alone can make
us a successful organization!
Owing TO discussions and difficulties arising I'm
various Departments, and 70 the different proper
items and phases of the same the National Ofieers
thoroughly revised the Rules and Reoulations IN
lsS5 covering many needed points and these to-
gether with Beaths Blue Book. give so complete
and simple form Of government that Il seems i'm.
possible 10 go astray. We have been told these con.
tain too much red tape, but there must be remedy
for every Ill and when threatening troubles and
complications arise. we are very glad IL We find
ourselves safely protected by'gpproved authority
OF which there Is no question, and which we
have subscribed and taken eur olIigatjon 10 sun.
port No. ladies. there Is not one Inch too muct
red tape, as the varied experience Of the year no
Michigan has proven, and welneed It to bind us tb1
more securely to the principles we spouse Those
Corps adhering most tenaciousy 10 direct discip
line stand highest and are loo ed upon with respec
| and pride by their Posts. One especial reason 10,
revising our Rules and Regulations was 10 pre-.
clude troubles arising from long and detailed By
|, | Laws. Therefore we have them nakinly embodied
In our Rules and Regulations (which Is our con
stitution), and subordinate Corps need to add x
these little else than matters pertaining to the
local government. GIL
have issued six General onlers as occasion de
manded. Instructions to Corps Presidents were
revised and issued from Department Headquarter,
March 5, 1885, being carefully compiled from al
| obtainnbe authority and personal experience In
the work. The first proof from the printer wa
submitted 10 the National President Mrs Kate II
Sherwood, who not only Endorsed them, but askes
permission TO adopt and issue them TO all other De
again revised and changed in accordance with re
yised Rules and Regulations called Instruction
TO Corps Officers" eight TO be sent each Corps anG
we hope will prove "A valuable assistant In the gov
| ernmcnt OF them. They must be pasted I'm eacI
| Ritual, and officers are expected TO become per
fectly familiar with them. These compilation
have required days Of thought and careful research
and should be appreciated accordingly Member
may purchase copies OF Department Treasurer.
dishonorable discharge can only be the result Of
regularly conducted court martial, the finding O
: which must be reported to Department Headq ar
ters for approval, and cannot be by vote of Corps
however aggravating the case may be.
copy of the petition for Soldiers Home, q
| recommended by the Past Department officers, wa
sent each Corps for signatures, In obedience TO OF