Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-27

VIM nave investigated the status OF the corps
and Its relations to the national convention.
Ihey lind thai the corps occupies the eXcep-
uonal status of auxiliary body not to q
post, but to the Department Of the Potomac,
IT, A. X Its charter was not withdrawn by the
convention, and they think the president has
no legal authority to take such action in the
premises.
WHAT @. A. R. COMMITTEE SAYS.
Continuing the committee stated: 1.-THE
action of the national convention must IN
doubleday be taken az an expression of the
wish of that body that Potomac Corps change
its status from that of an auxiliary to the De-
partment of the Potomac. GA r.. to that of an
auxiliary to one of the posts Of that depart
ment. That Potomac Corps will desire to COM
ply with the wish Of the convention if they
lind it feasible, We have no doubt Whether or
not, all the circumstances of the situation con-
| sidered, such a change of status could be eff
fected the corps itself must consider and decide.
We can see that there are very many difficulties
In the way, some of which may be insurmount-
able. There is the fact that to effectuate such
a change others In authority must act and con-
sent, and. above and beyond all. it is 70 be con-
sidered whether or not, even though the change
could be effected in FORM it would not result
in fomenting such antagonisms in the depart
ment W. II. c. would be disastrous to all
concerned. All these things the corps must
consider.
IF it should be found that for any sufficient
reason the corps cannot comply with the con-
vention's wish it may occur to some of you
that the question should be considered whether
it would not be best for all concerned that
Potomac Corps voluntarily surrender its char
ter and continue its good work entirely
Independent body. This question derives
greater significance from the fact, brought to
our attention since the preparation OF this
paper began, that the national president has
promulgated a special order purporting to re-
woke and annul your charter. While we de-
plore this action on her part and can but deem
1t as not only unwarranted by the rules and
regulations, under which she acts. but as in
direct opposition to the expressed will of the
last national convention, and therefore as being
utterly void and of no effect, vet we cannot
disguise it from ourselves. and We are sure that
1t seems to you. that an occasion has been pre-
cipitated, by no fault Of yours, on account of
which the greatest circumspection should be
exercised and final action taken on lines which
shall have no other guiding motive than the
good that may be done or the evil that is to be
avoided. 1t is your right to continue your
organization and work precisely as you have
been conducting it. notwithstanding the unau-
thorized order of the national president The
question now before you is not. therefore, one Of
right, but one of policy, which you may and
must decide for yourselves. If, in determining
upon the policy to be adopted, you are met
with the seeming alternative OF Withdrawing
from further connection with the Woman's Re-
lief Corps, we think that as comrades of the
Grand Army of the Republic, speaking not
only for ourselves, but for large body Of the
comrades Of this department, we may ask you
to consider the feasibility of continuing your
organization in an independent form to the end
that the needy may still have the benefit OF your
labors You have won the confidence OF this
community. 1t will respond to your appeals.
1t would seem almost an Offense against charity
to now destroy SO useful an organization, built
up by so much of patient toll And this is all
the more true since all unprecedented minds
must agree that there is not now ana never has
been any just occasion for bringing about the
present difficulties.
FINALLY, in determining what your duty in
the premises Is, we venture to remind you that
winter is upon US; that the needs of our dis
tressed comrades, their widows and orphans
will soon be pressing; that the funds of the
posts and Of the department. applicable to
charity will be treDched upon by the great
expense which will be entailed upon us in pre-
pairing for the entertainment of the coming
national encampment and national convention.
and that your final decision should be. as we
believe it will. guided by the chief purpose of
your organization, that charity and mercy
that has been your watchword."
Those associated with Gen. Burdett on this
committee, and whose names areaappended to the
report. are: j. u. Burke, W. $. Odell, s. Z.
Faunce, Jno. NJ. Keogh. Jno. y. Church, NJ.
Emmett Crell, Newton Ferree and VIM. Gibson.
THE DESIRE TO MAKE A CHANGE.
If the order Of the national convention should
the same status as the seven relief corps now
in existence in this city forming a department.
The members Of the Potomac Corps say they
have no desire to change their present status,
as they claim that they are doing good work
in relieving the needy, and they know of no
good reason why a change should be made. On
the other hand the opposition assert that the
plan of the organization should be preserved
and that this plan does not contemplate de-
tached corps. OF the seven corps now in the
city five are white and two coored. \ colored
corps was first organized and then the Potomac
Corps The ladies of the Potomac Corps claim
that tine color question is not involved in this
question at all. and assert that the only ques-
ton involved is a change in the status of Po-
tomac Corps-a change which the members OF
the corps do not favor.
There is no doubt = good deal Of feeling
growing out Of this controversy. 1t is not Of
recent date either, but begun some four years
ago. anu has not lost but rather gained in in
tensity during that period. The action of the
national president appears to be q victory for
one side and so it would be If the order was
recognized legal and obligatory by the
Potomac Corps. But such is not the case and
the ladies Of the corps announce their inten-
ton OF continuing to act they have since
their organization. As many. in fact most of
the ladies belonging to the relief CORPS are
wives Of members of the Grand Army posts In
this city, the members of these organic atoms
are moro or less involved in this contest Some
have already taken action. The other evening
Gen. G. Meade Post. No. 5, adopted resolutions
strongly favoring the continuance Of Potomac
| Corps In its present relations to the depart
ment Similar resolutions have been adopted
| by John A. Rawlins Post, Kit Carson, John L.
Reynolds and James A. Garfield. These i've
posts have a membership Of nearly one-half of
l the entire G. A. X. of this department and it
| is claimed by members of Potomac Corps that
I this shows very clearly the drift Of opinion in
| the Grand Army.
The Potomac Corps is the largest orgsniza-
ton Of the kind in the country, and has done
efficient work in relieving the poor who are
dependent on the Grand Army. This is one
reason why the q. A. r. of this city is 20 largely
| in favor of standing by the corps.
Pastor Surprised.
| Wednesday night the Young Mems Relief
| Club and their auxiliary called upon their
pastor. Rev DIR. J. H. Daily Of the PEOPLES