The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-04-28
RELIEF CORPS NEWS.
Gleanings from National Headquar-
ters---NOtes from the Departments
DEPARTMENT GLEANISGS.
WHAT'S THE MATTER OF INDIANA

DEPARTMENT GLEANINGs.
WHATS THE MATTER OF INDIANA2
whats the matter of Indana7 She's all
right"
The Editor will never forget the exultant calls
OF Indiana veterans that clustering day Mt Indian
apois when the two divisions OF the W.RC., which
had been working assiduously In separate paths
for the soldiers of the Hoosier State, met clasped
hands, united their forces, and took the straight
road leading up TO the mount called Victory.
Often and often do the principal actors In the
grand drama of Reunion refer to this happy day.
Gov. Ira B. Chase of Indiana, then Department
Commander, Col Meyerhoff, of Evansville, Past
National President Emma Stark Hampton, Com
rade Hess and his wife, Laura Hess the retiring De-
partment President whose excellent address lies on
the Editors desk. The same OF many. many others
The Hooser State is doing nobly. From the ad-
dress we learn that Indiana was never so prosper
Gus, numerically financially, now, and the
system never so complete. Following are extracts
of general interest to the Order:
The growth of tho Order in Indiana during the
past year has been very encouraging. Twenty
seven Corps have been organized with a charter
mem bership Of 573; number reported In good
standing Dec. 81, 1884, 5,S36; number reinstated
from delinquent reports, 12S From new Corps
number In good standing, 6. 1885, net gain during
the year of 7S9; 173 Corps borne on the roster
AT this date. During the year ending Dec 81. 1891
S3,6s3. AS represents the cash expended for relief
s207377 was reported value of relief other than
money; 1888 SO was turned to the Posts of this
Departmental grand total of SC, LOB. Number Of
soldiers or their families assisted, 1913.
MEMORIAL DAY.
Each year larger number Of veterans have
sponded to Heavens long ro!l-csll. The graves OF
our worn heroes are growing moro numerous.
There Is moro occasion for earnest work; more
necessity for the observance of this great object of
organization Let interest the children In this
work, and strive to make the observance more
sacred and more general from year to year. Here
is an opportunity to aid and assist the Grand Army
of the Republic. That Corps have performed
well their part in this beautiful work of our Order,
the report Of our Department Chaplain will pre-
sent abundant proof.
DISTRICT CONVENTIONS.
As means OF obtaining information. of strength
cning Corps In the work, of devising measures for
becoming moro efficient in business methods, and
of bringing our rtuastic work to better state OF
perfection, the District Conventions will prove to
be of immeasurabe good. Reports received in
dictate that successful enthusiastic Conventions
were held in each District. The interest mani
tested met earnest expectations. However
carefully we may plan our design or order our
plans often fiud when the work is completed
that something better might have been arranged
Perfection in anything is never attained by one
effort, bu; by continuous perseverance However,
the defects are very few. heartily recommend the
plan that will be presented to this Convention by
Department Senior Vice. President who has given
this subject careful thought and study. Most
heartily do | recommend the continuance OF these
local conventions.
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS ORPHANS HOME.
Tho Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home. To-
Gated at Knightstown is the pride Of the Grand
Army of the Republic and Woman's Relief Corps.
1t affords home, education. and protection to 600
soldiers orphan children OF our State. The health
of these children is most excellent Professor A. H.
Graham ID at present the Superintendent of the
Institution. Under his .tudIous, earnest and able
management the affairs Of the Home are in
prosperous condition. Those who are placed at
b.n ,ft ftati ftnv and fhnl ayult We
other capacities, merit the words of praise be-
slowed upon them by all who visit the Home. In
General Order. No: 5, the following members were
appointed on tho Visiting Committee and to have
charge of the Christmas purchases: Ella ID. Iinn,
Indianapolis; Loretta j. Gorsuch, South Bend;
Anna f. Larsh Richmond They have faithfully
performed the work. assigned them. The dona-
ton from the Corps to the Christmas fund wns
s386.57. This fund was increased by donations from
the q. r. Posts, amounting to Sl49. TO- which was
turned over to the Department Treasurer by order
of the Department Commander. The excellent
report of the Visiting Committee will show in
detail the pleasure afforded the children OF the
Home by this generous contribution.
STATE HOME FOR SOLDIERS AND THEIR
WIVES.
There seems to be a demand for State Home
for soldiers, their wives. and the widows Of soldiers
The plan is commendable, and if approved by the
Grand Army of the Republic, should receive the
hearty cooperation of the Woman's Relief Corps.
Homes of this kind hayo been established in IL
States, and becoming universally popular all
over the country.
THIS IS TRUE.
Immense correspondence has been conducted
during the year No record OF the number of COM
muncations written at Department Headquarters
has been kept. 1t has become the heaviest part of
tho work, and requires great amount of time,
labor and patience. With Rules, Regulations.
Rituals and Red Book for reference do not con-
slider that it IS necessary to demand much OF the
Department officers time In answering letters. L
have tried to answer all communications promptly
and give advice wherever needed. Letters con-
tanning accounts of Corps troubles jealonses and
chickering's very annoying. Department Presi-
dents caunot prevent unpleasant happenings in
local Corps and to hear of them causes regret and
sorrow TO know that much valuable time that coufd
be given for the good of tho Order Is spent in de-
stroyng its usefulness. Corps Presidents should
carefully read and study National and Department
General Orders. The official correspondence of
President, Secretary and Treasurer would be ma
teriaily lessened If attention paid to nstruc-
tons forwarded from National and Department
Headquarters.
THE FUTURE OF OUR ORDER,
The future Of our Order is a question that Is being
discussed quite freely at this time. To my mind
the work OF the Woman's Relief Corps has just
begun. What the future has in store is hidden
from our view Every day brings responsibilities,
opportunities and new fields of labor. An organi-
cation with more than 1000 members, one OF the
most useful in existence whose work is magnif-
cent, will not be permitted to sink into obscurity
because there Is nothing more to be accomplished.
There will he some grand mission for the Woman's
Relief Corps The future lies before us full of
promise the present should require more OF our
attention. To-day is our opportunity.
1.-THE future may be full Of gloom,
Yet must use 1t as We may,
Talk less about the years to come,