The National tribune., 1892-09-29

/ paIG
leaving balance 10 the credit of the Order. By
| the general demand for this work and The letters
received in expression of approval feel JUSTIFIED
| in recommending that another and larger edition
| be al once published that all orders be speedily
| met. Careful study of the interests of the Order,
| that have occupied sleepless hours, will be pre-
| scented In the way OF recommendations lor your
| consideration.
| GROWTH OF THE ORDER
| The extension of our Order has almost reached
its utmost limit having located in Idaho the past
| year. leaving Alabama alone without Reiiei
| Corps. Its growth has ceased to be spontaneous,
while a steady and substantial upbuilding charac.
| terizes our advancement everywhere. The worlo
| recognizes our efforts and popularity is in
| keeping with our objects. Not only are our num-
| bers increasing and influence growing, but the
women who are engaged in the holy work oil
charity due Nations defenders are expanding
their IDEAS and capabilities which Will make them
| better women and mothers and brighter guiding
stars of happier homes, from whence the coming
man will go forth, ever turning back with rever-
cnce and respect TO the influence and teachings OF
women that nodded their lives for the perfeciing
power of a Nation
Real glory springs from the quiet conquest OF our
selves" Our Order numbers $50, 7S9 there hav-
ing been increase of l32ls during the past year
During the year S5i 1854 has been turned over 10
Posts. Cash for relief Sci, 45368 Reiefo,her than
money, S3S,94l.33. Balance in the relief funds OF
! Corps, S775I7.I7 General fund. Sl22,53 5Sl.
INSPECTION.
This subject properly belongs TO the National
]
most ably presented; yet, having carefully lnVes-
tigated tie present system of inspection for the past
five years consider II my duty at the present to
add my opn ons to those OF the National Inspector,
10 the desrability of expending SO much money
/ for inspections which might be utilized Tor the
/ hig her work of our Order
In General Orders. annual reports and news
paper locals of receptions and banquets given In
honor of Inspectors, this subject has pleasant APP
pearance. and may add temporary interest to the
Corps; yet there many important facts to be
considered that outbalance the small benefit re-
ceived from such visits, / claim the privilege OF
presenting few.
I The members of our Order are composed prnci-
/ pally Of women who have passed the meridian Of
life. whose daily cares and responsibilities of home
and family are scarcely suspended for the brief
Period of Corps meeting. Such women pay
/ dues assist in raising money for charity and join
! in Memorial Day exercises, yet consider 1t useless
to spend time in following direct lines and turning
square corners. From such officers are mostly
chosen conduct the affairs Of our Corps, aud are
expected To bccomc familiar with the duties Oh inelr
respective offices. The time of inspection comes
when their duties about to deyolye upon sue
cessors, who may may not have been pres
ent at inspection. Old officers retire and new
ones assume command; aud again the year has
almost passed before the new officers have had
chance 10 avail themselves of the benefit of In
spectors.
The Woman's Relief Corps has almost passed
the first decade of its existence; our Department
and National Conventions have been educators of
representatives from majority of the Corps of our
Order, hence contain women quite rs capable OF
performing the work of inspection as those
ways been my opinion That instructors were
more necessary than Inspectors; and though OPP
posed to the present expensive system OF Inspec-
ton, / am decidedly in favor of system of
instruction. At the present time 1t requires from
$3.50 $500 per month TO meet The expenses OF our
National W. 4. c. Home, where worthy women OF
the war justly claim our charity. Our Home Board
obliged 10 manage most carefully to meet the
necessary expenses of the Home Each year our
responsibility becomes greater, the number OF in
mates increase. and old age surely comes with
greater demands must utilize every possible
resource, that our great and exemplary work may
be successful
In order to place this subject before the 10th Ma
tional Convention yividly possible the stalls
tics Of the last annual inspection of the various
Departments of our Order have been officially re-
ceived and consolidated for your consideration.
The inspection of some Departments having been
conducted at The expense of Corps not included
In this report. From 81 Departments / have re-
ceived the full cost of The last annual inspection,
which amounts TO S2563. Divide this by r. and
you viii find that this amount will pay at least
two-thirds of the present expense of keeping the
Home. At the present time is 1t desirable or just
TO give great amount of our hard earned
charity money into the hands of the railroad COM
panes? This subject certainly is worthy of care
ful consideration and immediate legislation for
change in consideration of ali the facts in the case.
releT you TO the recommendations found IN the
report of the National Inspector, IN which most
heartily concur.
coLoRED CORPS.
Among the thousands that represent our Order
none are found more enthusiastic, faithful and
Obedlens than those VINO. though freet nave not
entirely escaped oppression. They prompt in
their duties and correct with their reports far
finances concerned. The accounts received OF
their excellent work among their people who need
charity assure us that the institution OF colored
Corps is a great benefit to that race who Joined
forces for liberty and the Union, though at that
time very few knew the blessings of liberty await
ing victory. All seemed to be impressed with the
love Of freedom, and gave even their last crust TO
the solder in distress VINO became subject OF their
charity. As matter of experiment. the colored
Corps of Virginia were placed under provisional
rule at the close of The last Administration; the
results thereof left the present Administra-
tion TO consider. After months of continued writ
ing, explaining and iHstructing, ii was found the
Corps were not only unable to understand the di-
reclions given by their Provisional Department.
President, but were unwilling TO report to the
same. II therefore thought best TO remand
them 10 Detached Corps, which decision was pro-
mulgaied in National General Orders. No. @.
The matter of inspection among these Corps has
become a subject that should be thoroughly and
wisely considered. From the fact that many are
unable TO read write. IL seems useless 10 expend
money ia trying TO teach them the Of blanks
which many intelligent white Corps stumble
year after year. Forms the pride of the col
ored race; and although they may not march IN
bee " line to the teachings Of our Ritual, their
meetings will be regular, their badges bright and
their charity at command. SO long they
correct with their per capita in accordance with
members reported, see need of puzziing their
minds about demands for delinquent, dropped or
transferred membership that shall render their re-
ports correct and perfect according TO our compi-
Gated blanks.
We must consider the Few years That intervene
between their present status and bondage, and, in
comparison with ages of education and eEighten-
meEt that has surrounded US, commend most
highly the advancement Of the colored
Among this people some who are most intelli-
gent and well educated, and such excel in their
work for the Order; they gradually educating
their people up 10 standard. Since distances
are SO great. and colored Corps isolated, deem
il not only useless but cruel feter their work OF
charity by trying TO teach them that which ia the
same GTeel. To their understanding Yet
would not ignore this people. As matter of en-
enlargement, consider IL advisable visit them
when convenient and tell them of the great work
Of our Order and the duty they. ~ members, owe
their colOred comTudes; Rt the same time give
them a:y instructions they may he able TO grasp,
and by doing, extend our work OF charity under
the tit Of IHs pcciion.
Ia February Mrs. l. A. Turner, our Southern
missionary" usual rendered her services to as
-ist these people a. far possible on her return
from her annual visit South. a complete list Of
Corps near her route furnished by the
National Secretary, 80 that, by management, sine
was enabled to visit a goody number; and
heart Of our pioneer member, may be assured
Of faithful service and kindly instruction ut the
hands of cur 81 Good Samaritan From the quar-
teT!y reports received, with that OF Mrs Turner,
base my opinions concerning the cOlored Corps. an
Of HIGH will be found Ia the National Ia
spcctoE's report.
NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA.
Ninth National Convention instructed the Ma
toua President Ito inquire into the condition OF
the Corps ia North and South Dakota aud take
such steps necessary 10 relieve the burden oil
per capita tax. in part whole until such time Rs
they might be seifsupporting.h No sooner bad
/ this order been promulgated In General Orders
/ than "A strong protest came from South Dakota
/ against such action Of Convention, with the infor-