Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-02-04
woMANs RELIEF CORPS.

| WoAANo RELIEF CORPS.
Annual Business Meeting aud Reports
| OF the otficsIs.
WomAn's Relief Corps, department OF
Maine. which took place yesterday after
noon and evening at Odd Fellows Hall
the roll call showed 1877 delegates present
nearly every corps in the State being rep.
resented.
Mrs. Grace c. Howe of Lewiston. de.
partment president, delivered her address
the salient portions Of which are a. fol
lows:
LADIES 1T 10 with much pleasure tha,
| extend to you the greetings and good
wishes of today. bidding you welcome to
this, our annual gathering.
Assembled in this beautiful city Of the
kennebec valley, the capital Of the grand
old State of Maine, this city made mem
orable in history.
| Over quarter Of \ century has passed
since the men Of Maine. who fought to
save the country, camped here on the hill
side. were drilled in the tactics Of war
taught the manual of arms, and where
some said the last goodbye to their loved
ones.
Today they meet here As members of the
grandest organized body Of men on earth
the Grand Army of the Republic. We, their
auxiliary, on this. the sixth annual con
vention Of the Women's Relief Corp, de-
partment of Maine, meets to review the
work of the year, to counsel together, to
legislate for the future welfare and good Of
| the order.
When took the office il was with many
misgivings, fully realizing my inability.
and the great responsibility of the work
| before me, but trusting in him who said
"Lo. am with you always" deter mined
| to do in a careful and conscientious man.
| ner, what ever came before me in the way
| of duly. Mrs. Howe spoke very feelingly
| of the observance of Memorial day and
urged the Importance of maintaining its
customs.
Referring to Inspections she said Near
ly all the Corps were inspected by Depart
ment Inspector, Mrs. Lucy j. Wardwell
and her assistants.
A few of the Corps show . lack of inter-
est and do not seem to realize the benefits
derived from thorough inspection.
1t is exceedingly gratifying to be able to
report the amount of relief work done
through the department. in the large amount
of money and in other charities aside from
money" Mrs. Howe here urged the neces-
sity of complying with the rule of the order
eta utvSex - l..f
Continuing she said There has been but
three corps added this year; l, L. W.
Woodman, East Wilton; 26 charter mem.
bers. 2. Walter l.. Parker, No. "A, Ded-
| ham; 81 charter members. 3. Harry Rusk,
No. 45, Norway; 2S charter members.
One corps has been suspended-N. A.
Weston, No. 90. While there has been
gradual growth in membership. the gain in
new corps has not been what we desired
and have faithfully endeavored to secure.
We have the same opposing element to
contend with that we had since our organ
Ization, but we believe if real efficien, labor
10 accomplished by our present member
ship, in the object for which we are organ
fixed, it will tend to influence others to Join
in this grand and noble cause.
was prevented by illness from attend
luk tnt ENAtiOuhI SOuNtutiUu NJ ulWduktt.
Have issued five general orders, instituted
corps at East Wilton and Murray. inspected
corps at New Sharon, Bethel and Bidde-
ford. Have been obliged to decline sew
eral invitations to attend campfres and re-
ceptions.
Mrs. Howe said she had been consulted
on points Of law governing the order. She
| spoke very encouragingly of the Sons of
~,.L, ktC C.l -,
their patriotic work. Thanks were rem
dered to Commander Drew, Past Com
mander Howard. Past Deputy Commander
s. w. Lane, Hon. Payson Tucker, for
kind favors received. Also to members of
Custer Post, each member Of the staff and
| all with whom she had been associated.
Mira. Howe wrote 1853 letters, and received
POS letters and 81 postals. She recon-
mended closer attention to correspond
ence by the corps Mention was made of
| the departed members of Corps and Posts
in touching tones.
The financial standing not being very
solid Mrs. Howe recommended that these
proceedings be not printed; Secretary's
| salary be hereafter, $40; Treasurer, $50 I;
per capita tax the same; representation,
| one in So; that the funds raising societies
be placed under charge of the executive
committee, who shall receive and report all
funds raised.
| Thanking the members Of the convention
who honored me by election to this office,
let me assure them that l have performed
its duties in the spirit Of fraternity, Charity
and Loyalty.
Let US commence the year with renewed
zeal, chosing one to guard our work who 10
thoroughly in earnest, who will labor uu-
selfshly, and give her that strong support
that is her due. With unanimity enthusiasm
and perseverance, the cause We love must
prosper.
May God bles. the women's Relief Corps
| of Maine
| The report Of Mrs. Grace c. Howe oil
Lewiston, Department President, for the
year 1889, shows that the membership in
good standing for the year was, first quar-.
ter, 1852; second quarter. 1889; last quar-.
ter, 1907.
Lost by death. 9; honorably discharged
8; suspension, 8; Discharge, Q.
Total membership, Jan. ! 1890, 1907.
During the year two new corps have
been instituted a. follows: Walter L.
Parker, Dedham, 2s charter members
Harry Rust, Norway. 20 charter members
Mrs. Azuba 0. Bsgley Of Lewiston. de-
partment treasurer, in her report states
that the receipts during the year we're
1883; expenditures in 1859, $50 80; in
1880, sI25.25- Assets. S20s 43. To die
bursements, $5I320, Cash On hand
ss5.s2
The total amount ex xpended for charity
during the year was sI37 81; for relief,
s9i2.A.
Members Of soldiers families assisted,
1877.
i The general fund amounts 10 $500.
Business was suspended for short tint
} 1 IL, he tn al.