The National tribune., 1893-02-02
TIE RELIEF CORPS.
Gleanings from National Headquar-
ters---Notes from the Departments
OFFICIAL DECISIONS.
The following additional opinions OF National
Counselor Emma Stark Hampton rs adopted oy

Counselor Emma Stark Hampton, rs adopted by
10th National Convention;
OPINION XXvI. MAY 10, 1877.
Questions Referred
Cnse.-Whch officer is higher i'll rank. the Secre-
tarv the Treasurer of a Corps?
0pinon.-The point raised in this question Is no
doubt because one is appointed and the other
an elected officer. The first Issue of Rules and
Regulations tlsSS gave list of officers each Corps
should have. The office of Secretary Immediately
followed those of Vice Presidents, and all ofeers
were elected The list has remained unchanged
and the service of the officers remains unchanged;
but the experience of the first year made IT neces-
sary for the National President, in her address ut
Minneapolis to advise that because of the close re-
lations between n President and Secretary, ana
that the utmost harmony might prevail between
them. Presidents be allowed TO appoint their Sec
retaries. This has since been the law
This statement of the facts IL, in my opinion con-
elusive and the Secretary should rank according 10
the place assigned her everywhere in our work, III
list as found in Rules and Regulations. in list rs
called at "roll- call" aud in line as followed when
officers repeat their duties.
OPINION XVII. MAY 26, 1892.
Case-A member Of Corps made request
at a regular meeting. Jan. G. for transfer The re-
quest duly entered upon The minutes. After
installation of officers, the evening OF the same
day, this member, who was the retiring Corps Pres
ident refused 10 deliver to her successor certain
important papers of the office in her possession.
This refusal stated at the next Corps meeting,
and the Corps voted not to grant the transfer until
the papers delivered. From this decision OF
the Corps The member requesting transfer APP
peaed to Department President That officer
granted the appeal, upon the ground that the
transfer should have been filed out the day 1t
was requested, and further specified the member
could be disciplined for non delivery of papers;
and it mailed 10 the members address. After
| the performance of this duty the member attended
Corps meeting aud stated her desire to reconsider
the transfer. The Corps President ruled that she
was duy-iransferred member and could not be
entered into membership of the Corps except upon
regular application rs provided III Rules
Was not the ruling OF Inc department GreSlEenb
and the grant of the transfer by the Corps Presi-
dent legal transaction?
Having requested the transfer and received 1t,
can the member be rcadmitted 10 the Corps grant
ing the same except upon regular application?
Opinion..-In my opinion Corps member max
ing application for transfer according to Rules and
Regulations Chap. H., Art. w., Sec. is by such
action transferred, from that time, whether she
does o does not receive card. Our laws say the
card a. shall be granted" The duty is obligatory
upon the President and Secretary, and the Corps
has neither voice nor vote in the matter. Card
must bear same date rs meeting ut which request
for il was made. Should card be refused the appi-
cant can petition the Department President for re-
dress There IS no reconsideration after transfer
has been regularly requested The only remedy
is regular readmission TO membership. as provided
in Rules. Members transferred are still subject to
discipline. See Rules on that subject.
OPINION XVIII. MAY q, 1892.
QUESTION REFERRED.
Case-From what treasury are The expenses at
tending the Ohio Court of Inquiry to be paid, the
Department or National?
Opinion.-First of ALL questions OK disagreement
should be settled in the Department where they
arise. If a Department is unable TO cope with the
difficulties imposed upon if, and casts its bur-
den upon higher power, the leaat 1t can
do in return is to bear all expense. II is
an acknowledged fact that the value of any
thing is in proportion to what it costs; and
Ills an equally acknowledged fact that the
inability unwiliingness TO meet bills Of
expense will often be the means Of finding way to
adjust ones own troubles. This was illustrated dur
ing the present year when Department OF -, on
finding il must bear any expense the National
President incurred in settling their trouble, con-
Guided they could settle it themselves. Every safe
guard should be placed around the secrets OF the
Woman's Relief Corps, and rs far 80 possible none
be allowed outside o beyond the sacred precincts
of a Corps or Department. This became evident
years ago and materialized in form of resolution,
passed at sixth Convention, and is now "A law. See
Sixth Journal, page l4S, viz:
ResolUed That all Corps having trouble which
demands expense for Investigation shall pay the
same from their own Corps treasury.
In the discussion that followed the ground was
taken that should Corps realize, when they call
upon outside parties to settle their difficulties, they
must bear the expense thereof, they would be more
considerate and make greater effort 10 settle their
differences among themselves.
1t is my opinion deduced from all the above facts,
that the precedent established for Corps should also
govern Departments and where Department cases
demand National investigation, the expense must
be borne by the Department.
ITO be confilued)