The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-10-13
OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT.

National President Margaret r. Wickens has
established Headquarters of the Woman's Relief
Corps at her home, Ssbetha, Kan, aud has made
her plans for a broad and generous administration
OF the affairs of the Order over which she has been
called upon TO preside.
Before leaving Washington the National Presi-
dent was the recipient of numerous social courle-
sies and appeared upon the platform upon several
occasions winning golden opinions for the digni-
fed and able manner in which she presented the
work of the Relief Corps. The Kansas delega-
tions, GAR and w.R.C., in Washington, and
representative heads of both Orders in Kansas,
since her return, have extended congratulations
and tenders OF support and confidence, and The
outlook is good for successful year of Relief
Corps work the country over. With clear docket
before her and the cooperation of her associates in
all the Departments National President Wickens
may begin her year with light heart and all rea-
sonabe hopes of success along the lines of Frater-
nifty, Charity and Loyalty.
The columns of The NATIONAL TRIBUNE will
chronicle as il has in the past year, whatever is
calculated to advance the cause and strengthen the
Order, and bid National President Wickens God
speed.
Besides the usual routine work coming before
her. the National President is Entrusted with high
duties in connection with the Worlds Fair for
which she has plans under consideration. Every
Department can help her in this by devisng plans
for special exhibit. The Woman's Relief Corps
is worthy of special recognition among women,
and may secure if by united and systematic work.
The GAR. Memorial College, oberlin. Kan,
whose general agent the National President has
been and now is, will and ought TO take a boom by
the honor conferred upon Kansas. The Woman's
Relief Corps is committed to this great educational
project and should now make practical their sup
port.
National Secretary Hogbin has special qualifica-
tions as chief assistant of the National President,
and the routine work will go on without Interrupt
ton. This has been smpfed by wise acts OF 10th
National Convention, which disposed of several
important questions which confronted Past Ma
tional Administrations, especially the last. More
and more Relief Corps work is perfected, and its
laws made plain, making it easier for officers to
execute their respective duties.
NATIONAL NOTES.
The report of the retiring National Counselor,
Emma 8 Hampton, particularly fine and able
She gave an arduous year TO her work, and her
opinions were rendered only after careful and
conscientious consideration of every subject in
hand.
Past National President Sue Pike Sanders bears
with her, upon retiring from her high Office, the
universal tribute of praise accorded officer who
has honestly and feariessly discharged every duty
supposed upon her to the best of her know edge
and ability. No President has done
strengthen anG simplify the governing laws of the
Order. Her selection Of National Counselor is
fitting, though all will hope that it does not esab-
lish precedent for Departments 10 follow.
NATIONAL OFFICERS. W. &c.
Pres. Margaret r. wic>ns. Kansas; S. v.-P,
Ida V. Hendricks. Washington, ID. c. J. V.-P.
Hogbin Treas, Armilla A. Cheney. Michigan;
Chap, Mary +. Knowles. Massachusetts; Coun-
board o s Geraldine hf Hoad caorns Emily L
tlefeld, Maine Sarah NJ Bradford. Illinois; Sarah
6 Ruunells New Hampshire; Mary L. Leayens,
Minnesota.
BADGE woRTHILY BESTOWED.
The beautiful badge voted TO Department Presi-
dent Helen n Pufer by ninth Department Con-
venon of Wisconsin w re. for faithful and tell
ing service on behalf of the Order. was presented
Sept ., at special meeting OF o. T. Pinney Corps
Monroe called for that purpose.
Helen Holmes Charlton. Past Department Presi-
address behalf OF the committee, of which Past
Department Presidents Charity Rusk Craig and
Caroline II. Bell were members. The recipient
was equally happy in her response.
The badge is Of the regulation size set with four
cismonds, one between each of the sections of the
cross. ia the center OF which is the medallion, in
very yellow gold. finely wrought; and the Corps
srms are Of frosted gold, appropriately lettered.
pendant from the pin-bsr contains the onogram
gold shield. The bar has the word President" in
relief
REPORT OF THE PENSION COMMITTEE.
OFFICE OF CukIRMAs PENSION COMMITTEE
CANTON, o., Aug. ], 1892.
ELLA r. CcBEAS National Secretary, w.R.C.
DEAR MADAM: The SD Congress will ever be
held in grateful remembrance by the Woman 8
Relief Corps for the passage of the Army Nurse
bill in aid OF the woman heroes OF camp, field and
hospital. similar BILL introduced by the Relief
Corr. Coumjttee nas.ed The senate i'm ,he Goth
and again in the 5lst Congress; but IL did not
90 vote in the House. although reported favor
tactics reversed and. reasonably sure OF the
Senate, we had our bill originate in the House IL
is pleasant 10 reflect that pension bill has ever
passed Congress with the lines Of partisan denmark
alton nearly obliterated. Beautiful tributes
were paid 10 womsn's work in the war by veterans
both OF the blue and gray.
1t would be impossible 10 give 10 the 10th Ma
tionsl Convention even a brief resume OF the pro-
diRous amount OF work done TO secure The passage
l.. Reed our faithful Secretary; OF The letters
written. the kilograms dispatched, the personal
solicitations. the delicate handling Of political
wires. Thus had ii been year after year. but nj ways
pension bill with more influence behind il and
OF vas:er Importance had stood in our way. This
time the docket was clear and the House Commit
Tee on Invalid Pensions made up almost entirely
of old soldiers, whose hearts were with US from
the beginning. Had their will been law the Army
Nurse bill would have passed Congress months
earlier; but IL was far down The calendar when
reported. and then the consent of The Commit
tee Oh Rules had 10 be secured 10 allow il 10
come up out of its regular order. To secure
This meant influence, and this the advocates of the
measure were able to command. So the bill pass-
ed but let think that the work JIG done.
by reference TO the bill IL will be that Section
forbius any agent or attorney to accept fee for
the prosecution of any claim under this act This
means that The whole Relief Corps must turn
graiuiious claim agents, TO assist Army Nurses to
secure evidence, and conduct necessary CORE
spondence Department Relief Committees can
render valuable service ia this direction.
An examination of the Army Nurse bill will
show that only those coming with certain specif-
cations can secure pensions. This leaves many
Nurses still TO be cared for by local Corps, in
Relief Corps institutions, State and National Lei
there be relaxation Of activities IN aid OF these
hoBored women.
The Army Nurse bin was guarded from all points
up to the hour of It's passage. Harriette l.. Reed
Secretary of the Pension Committee spent in al
ak weeks in Washington in its interest; and
Annie Nllienmyer, President Board OF Directors
National Relief Corps Home, the ground
the greater portion OF five months working foi
private bills and general Legislation Before going
to Washington. she rendered her services TO tii
committee. and WAS given full discretionary power
TO act for the Chairman. Through her influence
the Secretary of the Interior has promised q
special detail, in order that Army Nurses will mo-
gutter long delay ia securing their rights She alst
secured the consent OF the War Department Il
sccepi and file records OF Army Nurses the files o
the War Department being very incomplete. IL
her the loyal women ofthe Nation under new
debt OF obligation.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
l. That the thanks OF 10Th National Convention
be extended the Committee Invalid Pensions
House of Representatives SD Congress, for thei
able advocacy Of the Army Nurse b set iorIl
in their report TO the House and for uniform cour
coming before them; especially 10 Hon a. \
Martin, Chairman of Committee, and Hon. w.
Butler, our able champions in the House, who re
taxed efforts untsi the bill became a law.