The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-12-13
RELIEF CORPS NEWS.
Gleanings from National Headquar-
terS---NOteS from the Departments.
THAT CHRISTMAS DINNER.

byway or cherries garnet, while those who have
borne no sacrifices and sorrows in their eountrys
cause sit down to well spread tables groaning with
all good things.
1t often happens that the real wants of these
needy ones never come to light unless brought out
by some fraternal, Christian effort in their behalf
The following incident, related by a reporter on
New York daily, who attended the distribution
last year of Christmas supplies in Brooklyn, under
the auspices of the GAR, gives noble emphasis
to this point:
Among those who came early in the morning
was a lady IN deep mourning, her face covered
with vail. She alone the far end of the hall,
while most of the others crowded and hustled one
another round the poultry barrels.
~, hhat rs IL you want, madam asked one OF
the committee. Have you got n tlcket?"
The lady hung her head and sObbed piteously.
What IS your name, at all events?"
"Oh, sir, she exclaimed, almost inarticulate
from emotion don't ask me. have seen better
days. My husband met with reyerses of fortune
he died last year. Oh, it is very notifying TO me
to be obliged to beg"
1t is not begging, madam; it is veterans Of the
war lending to veterans families"
The lady lifted her vail and displayed a face of
fading beauty, and the Grand Army man started
back In amaZement as he bcheld the widow OF
eomTade at whose funeral he assisted last
year, who had held high rank and who it was
supposed had died wealthy. She received no tur-
key from the barrel, but she felt something crisp
thrust into her hand and found herself pushed
softly through the side-dooT TO the street. The
committee saw that women of this class, and there
were quite few of Them did not suffer because of
their diffidence.
SIXTH NATIONAL CONVENTION.
We continue the sixth National Convention re-
ports, with the following additional extracts from
Emma Stark Hampton's address as National Presi-
dent:
COUNCIL OF WOMEN.
In October last an invitation was received from
the Secretary of the International WOman's Coun-
ell, asking that our Order be represented at their
meeting to be held in Washington in March. This
was referred to the National Counselor and Mrs
Il. Florence Barker. They replied that in their
Judgment our organization being secret one,
could not receive frateTnal courtesies that could
not be extended in return, and reply to that effect
was sent the Secretary of the Council, but thank
ing them kindly for the invitation.
Later, the matter was looked more carefully into
and correspondence reopened. Miss Clara Barton
being then in Washington, kindly consented to
divide the time allowed her on the subject of the
Red Cross, and also represent the Woman's Relief
Corps. This was particularly pleasing, would
be represented by q woman world renowned, and
at no expense of sending delegate. Miss Barton
being called suddenly TO Of disaster III llli-
nols, Mrs. Barker was asked to prepare a report.
Before the Council opened Mrs. Barker found 1t
necessary to call the National Pension Committee
together in Washington, and planned TO meet at
that time. All possible preparations were made,
credentials sent and Endorsement of the Command
er-inChief forwarded. Miss Barton gladly gave
way to Mrs. Barker more familiar with the
work, and thus our organization was represented
as the true and only auxiliary TO the Grand Army
of the Republic in the first meeting of the grand
MEMORIAL.
As ordered by fifth National Convention 500 was
forwarded through the National Treasurer to Past
Junior Vice COMMANDMENTS Chief Allen to be used
III decorating the graves Of the fallen heroes who
lie buried III and about Richmond, Va. In addi-
ton were voluntary offerings generously and
freely given that new hope has been born in the
hearts of the struggling comrades there, and the
long cherished desire of having permanent me-
mortal fund has become possible reality. OF the
$43I received by them 500 has been set apart for
this purpose. The eloquent acknowledgment and
report forwarded to this Convention by Comrade
Alien will speak volumes for this sweet act of fifth
National Convention.
WORK OF THE YEAR ADVANCED.
1t became necessary to the business interests of
the Order that personal visit be made 10 Boston,
the base of supplies; to examine closely into stock
on hand, lay plans end make preparations for the
issue of the revised work Arrangements were
therefore made and xime fixed to embrace the dates
of most of the New England Conventions, and
make 1t possible to accept some OF the invitations
received.
In business way the visit was success enabling
gain clear insight into all minutia of pre-
pairing, handling and issuing of stock (the volume
of which was surprisingly, besides establishing q
thorough and fraternaI understanding with the
business firm that has proven of great value tnan
ciaily, and in perfectug the different branches of
the work taken up. These comrades have
shown unseitish and increasing interest as the
work progressed, giving it much personal atten-
ton and valuable time. They have illustrated the
spirit of true fraternity and their enthusiasm and
pride in Issuing the revisions OF 1855 has been most
helpful and encouraging, aud cannot be overesti-
mated.
FINANCE.
Notwithstanding the heavy nrcads made on the
National Treasury by the different appropriations
and acts of fifth Convention the amount on hand
in the several funds is both gratifying and sur
prising being increase in all funds amount
reported June so, 1887 will be upon exami-
ton of the Treasurer's report.
The appeal for reduction on supplies, the destroy
ing and replacing of rituals at expense
of $1,000, the loss on obsolete stock, the in
crease of salary TO the Secretary and Treasurer.
canceling OF old debts, appropriations from fund.-
and the placing of one-half the per capita tax in
the pension fund all demanded the strctest bust
ness economy and closest figuring, lest we be finRn
cially stranded The establishing of headquarters
at my residence was decided upon because of this,
together with the belief that far more work could
be accomplished at home. 1t proved Il wise meas
are as no time was lost and there bills for
office rent furnishings.
The unprecedented sale of more than $4,000 re-
yised Rules and Regulations has proven unex-
pected revenue beside the pleasing assurance that
more than one-haf of all our members were anx-
| ious 10 supply themselves with and work under
! the latest and most approved governing laws
REDUCTION IN PRICES OF BADGES AND SUP
PLIES.
In her able address 20 the fifth National Con-
! yention, the National President recommended that
| Corps and Departments be granted aTeduetion in
the prices OF badges ana most oil the supplies now
| in USE which cOncurred in by the Committee
on Presidents address and adopted by the Conven-
! ton.
Desiring to fully and promptly comply with that
decision at once made this subject special study
! and revised the prices on Corps and Department
acquisitions which has resulted in saving to the
Corps of 81 AIS 20 badges and IS on blank
| books and supplies total, 50, S33.5S.
While these figures cover portion of the wear
before the reductions took effect, they do not in
cude supplies issued since June So but il is fair TO
! presume they represent saving OF So, 353.5S to
| Corps during this administration
The vote of Convention to continue the same sys-
! tenn of blank books but to add thinner and cheaper
ones in the interest of the smaller Corps was con-
fietng and found TO be impraeticable, for the fol-
! lowing reasons:
l. The manufacturers could not materially lessen
the price for the thinner books, unless ordered in
very large quantities. and the probable amount re-
! quired would not warrant such expenditure
.. The additional outlay incident to carrying two
sets of books i'll stock by the National Treasurer
! and all Department Treasurers. together with the
confusion arise in filling acquisitions would
finally result in loss rather than gain to the Order
3. AS Corps will require but one journal ledger,
testify necessary they should be well and strongly
made and the manufacturers having conceded a
considerable discount from former prices, it was
decided to continue the use OF these books and at
same time execute the will of the Convention by
! reducing prices same TO Corps, resulting in q
saving to Them on this item alone, of SS0577 the
current year.
| In lessening the prices TO Corps and Depart
ments we have been mindful of the revenue neces-
sary from the sale of supplies, and it is pleasure
to note that while all Corps have reaped substan-
and Department Treasures have not suffered
| thereby.
A careful review of our present financial stand
| ing Dromnts me to recommend q still further 20.