The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-12-06

Advance copies OF the reports OF the oincefs OF
the W.R.C., 1887, $50, came into the hands of the
Editor at Columbus, but were unaceountably miss
ing when wanted for use. having been left in Con-
venlion Hall with box of odds and ends. Since
then several efforts have been made to secure du-
picates, which are now before US, through the
courtesy of Armia A. Cheney, Past National
Secretary. Extracts, beginning with the National
Presidents address, will now appear from time to
time, that each member of the Order can have
the results of prosperous year fully before her
Passing over the Indiana settlement which has APP
peared in THE TRIBUNE, the first important part of
the National Presidents Mrs. Emma Stark Hamp-
toms address begins with that on revsions, fol-
lows:
REvIsIoNs
In the early days of the administration we began
TO lay plans for the fultillment of our duties. by
vote of National Council subsequent to fifth Ma
tional Convention, the National President was Or
dered 10 make Rules and Regulations and Service
Book conform TO decisions of National Conven-
tons, and submit the same to National Treasurerto
be printed,
Having been careful student of these works
during the formation of large Department, and
called to active service Chairman of Committee
Rules and Regulations At California Convention,
one of them seemed duty entailing many respon-
sibilities; both seemed mountain in addition TO
the regular duties incumbent upon the office OF
National President. However. remembering the
confidence reposed in me, the fact that my time
would be wholly dedicated 10 the work and that
in the sauctity of ones own home, much may be
accomplished no objection was made. In due time
the work began. Day and evening, every hour
that could be spared WAS devoted TO II. lnyestlga-
ton developed the fact that the necessary amount
of work for the year simply enormous Ma
tional Convention had ordered all rituals destroyed
and perfect supplied the installation service
had been again sent back TO be reconstructed some
blanks obsolete and others needed many
changes. In fact, upon close examination, IT was
found that the whole printed matter OF the Order
needed 10 be entirely rewritten and revised! The
four little words " be made TO conform was an III
tricate puzzle requiring months of patient labor
and tosuccessfully TRvel. The necessity stood
out in bold prominence but beside u was a lear,
lest might overstep my authority The situation
painful! The ground was carefully canvass
ed The stock of Rules, Rituals and Service Books
was entirely out and the constant demand was for
improved and more perfect work.
At and since the Convention at Portland our
records show these various works have each year
been ordered revised, the same to be reported at
following Convention. When that time came,
either through some misunderstanding or other
wise this important work has never been brought
before you in condition to be accepted, and every
year has been turned back for completion and re-
construction,
Although young in years the Order is old in intel
lect and wisdom Having gained rapid prominence
printed matter should keep pace with the
period and jealous eye be kept on all points per-
tanning to its growth appearance aud develop
ment Difficulties and confusion Were constantly
arising from different interpretations of words and
their meaning by women of equal intelligence and
ability and the necessity of having all our written
work SO simple and plain that but one idea and one
meaning could be conveyed, had grown into de-
mand. The earnest appeals OF Corps and Depart
ments must be needed. We needed supplies, we
needed the best could getl Experience teaches
that true economy lies in management The great
expense attending the exchange ordered and gem
eral issue would be enormous, With helpless or
INDECENT veterans on every hand why should the
money of charitable organization be wasiedP
Why spent in supplies to be again discarded and
thrown away? Accordingly, with the fullest in
dorsement aud advice of my Counselor the Ma
tional Secretary and National Senior Nlee-Presl-
dent, in respect to my obligation, which was not
terests of economy, / determined TO give TO the
Order nearly possible the long waited-for re-
vision, thus giving anxious workers clear UNDER
standing OF what and how to do, carry out my con-
scientious scrupes, and at this Convention lay the
whole subject matter squarely and openly before
you, the supreme body to whom alone the National
President is amenable, the power whose right II IS
to say if have done right or wrong, the power TO
accept reject the work.
On this work of revision volumes could be written
All was necessarily going on at the same time, as
not paragraph and scarcely q sentence was taken
up but required careful research through Rituals
Rules, Service Book, Blanks, General Orders, Jour
nails Of Convention Beaths Blue Book, in fact
all written laws known 10
In Rules and Regulations matters pertaining to
the subject were scattered through the entire
book, which necesstated careful culling and CLASH
ficaton. Officers constantly falling into error
and entauglements by trying TO enforce strict OBJ
servance of Rules and Regulations. Scarce error
or complaint or question was submitted Tor de-
cision, or an lrreguarity of any kind received
but tTaceRble directly or indirectly, To some
confused or misleading paragraph in our governing
laws.
Perhaps the most important action taken in the
whole work in eliminating the words, " and
members of Corps that had been inserted IN the
May 1887 edition of Rules and Regulations. These
words appeared page 26 in article Relief
Fund and by being thus incorporated changed the
whole tenor of our constitution. Having every
assurance that the original and only intent OF this
organization the relief of INDECENT afflicted
veterans and their families that it IS understood
universally, and believing the insertion of mem
bers OF the Corps" was unauthorized, the words
were stricken out. At fourth National Convention
the subject of relieving members of Corps who are
not related to the of the late war from the
fund set apart and held sacred to the veteran and
| those dependent on him. was contested and voted
down. yet am told it was inserted in Rules and
Regulations by order OF the officers who prepared
| the reports of fourth Convention, although no
mention whatever is made in the fourth Journal
OF such action being taken or even of the discus
| The position that I maintain is this: The OBJ
jects and principles OF this organization only
| be changed by the National Convention assembled.
The strctes research fails to discover any authority
/ for this change. II the fourth Convention had
taken such action the historic pages of our journal
should SO state it, positively and emphatieally.
| In connection with this, and at the same time, a
| new Constitution should have been formulated, as
this is antagonistic TO tile objects of organiza-
ton, and takes away the chief cornerstone of our
foundation. This 10 the vital point IN our Consti-
| tuition. It's the charm and inspiration of our Or
| der that we work solely for the veteran and those
| dependent him. We work for cause, a
transient cause, and such calls out all the
patriotic ardor of our natures. Should you ask any
|
lief Corps is for, would he say for any but the
soldier? Do we, you and /, work for the veteran,
| or who? Would you spend the best years of your
life with such enthusiasm and untTingly for any
other cause2 Should that clause be again inserted
| we must change our Constitution and destroy the
| charm that binds us closely to each other We
| should then be charitable Order that included the
veterans of the late among its beneciaries and
not the great grand Order whose light has illumi-
| mated our whole country, and whose influence has
| become mighty power because all energies
| are conferred in object and TO that object
we are indebted for all we have and are and while
| the cause exists nothing should come between US
and it. Shall not the sacredness of trust remain
| still and ever sacred?
| Each Corps, from all they have, set apart sum
and consecrate IL to the uses for which are or.
ganized, and so long our Constitution remains as
IL and now is il can be used for no other pur
! pose.
Should, however, a member not eligible to assist
ance from the relief fund meet atfliction come tC
want, there is always the general fund, subject tC
the control vote of Corps from which any
amount of relief be rendered Members of
Relief Corps being helped should be exception
not the rule We are organized to give, not 10 re
ceiye.
BADGES.
There has never seemed to be among Corps OF
Departments clear understanding of the difIeren
badges and their uses. The misinterpretation
have sometimes been serious, sometimes absurd
therefore the Articles under which they were
found in Rules and Regulations, together will
| action of previous National Conventions never EN-