The National tribune., 1893-09-21
TIE WONANS
RELIEF CORPS.
A Model Business ASSemblage was the
Eleventh Convention, Ably Presided
Over and Rich in Important Re
c,,I{c

Eleventh National Convention is over. It's
legislation was wise and economic and Its
deliberatiye sessions model for similar assem-
blages, National and Department. The Ma
tional officers with paudits of well done
passed their work into bands tried and ap-
proved and the W.RC. entered upon its twelfth
wear with a clear docket. Everybody went
home encouraged and happy, and we may safely
predict glorious year of W.R.C work.
Roberts Park Church, Indianapolis, where
Eleventh National Convention, W.R.C, was
held was arlistically decorated with flags and
shields, and festoons of yellowsilk, the National
color, while beautiful flowers and palms were
Oh the platform, and wreath of white roses at
the Presidents desk bore the letters "W.R.C."
in red and white. Two elegant banners,
loaned By Comrade Foster, the blind patriot,
were seen at the right and left of the platform,
the white banner reading, Zone country. one
language one flag; the blue banner, Teach
patriotism in the public schools"
Press tables aud all conveniences were pro-
vided by the thoughtful committees, and every
Department was designated by marker, bear
ing the name of the State represented. These
markers were presented by Indiana to the Ma
tionl WRC. for future use.
National President Margaret Ray Wilkins
was in the chair promptly and Convention
opened with the singing of Keller's "Amerl-
can Hymn and prayer by National Chaplain
Mary Z. Knowles. The Conductors OF Ma
tional Convention were announced as follows,
serving faithfully throughout the session ::
Julia Mccarthy, Kansas; Margaret /. Sands
Chicago; Bell Bristow, indianapolis; Ada
Mohr, New York Martha Bell, Iowa; and
Mesdames Millen and Wise, of Minnesota and
Virginia respectively.
NATIONAL OFFICERS.
The National officers were introduced from
the platform, then the Past National Presidents
in attendance who were Kate B. Sherwood,
Emma Stark Hampton, Annie Wittenmyer,
Mary Sears McHenry, and Sue A. Pike Saund-
ers Greetings were sent TO the absentees: 4
Florence Barker, Sarah E. Fuller, Elizabeth
Darcy Kline. and Charity Rusk Craig. Also
to Past National Chaplain Clara Barton, hon
orary life member, Mrs. John A. Logan, and
Mrs. Z. S. Grant. Return greetings were re-
ceived and read from ali later in the session.
Flora Wulschner, Chairman of the Ladies
Citizens Committee, accompanied by nine sub
chairmen, was introduced from the platform
and thanked in the name of Convention. Past
Commander-in-Chef Paul Van Der Wort,
honorary life member, was introduced and given
an ovation. He praised the work of the Relief
Corps, counseled careful legislation and greater
devotion to the veterans and their dependent
ones National President Wilkins thanked
him on behalf of the Order, and invested him
with the souvenir badge of the W.R.C.
After the roll call OF Convention and announce
ment Of committees, the National President
presented the annual address The Press Com
mittee embraced Mary Gist, Washington, D. c.,
Secretary of the Woman's National Press Asso-
citation, Chairman; Mary E. Elliott, Depart
ment Secretary of Massachusetts,; Mary A.
McQuistOn, Past Department President of Ohio.
and Emma r. Aldrich, Past Department S. Y.-P
of Kansas, all well-known newspaper women.
The Committee on Thanks and Greetings en-
braced Past National Presidents Sherwood
Hampton, and Sanderson. The duties of these
two committees continued until the close Of
Convention. The committees on the several
officers reports were carefully chosen and did
their work well.
National Senior Vice-President Hendricks
filled the chair during the reading of the Ma
tional Presidents address by herself 1t was
impressively rendered, in a clear, deliberative
voice and manner, and fixed Mrs. Wickins's
status at once as the most admirable presiding
officer who has ever held the gavel of the
W.R.C. in National or Department COnven-
ton.
When, at the conclusion of the most orderly
and business-like National Convention in the
history of the Order, she was unanimously
thanked not only for her work during the year,
but for the Just firm. and impartial discharge
harI 80 St..fe
had richly earned the title hereby bestowed
upon her by The NATIONAL TRIBUNE as the
JAMES G. BLAINE OF THE w.R.c.
And all who had the privilege of witnessing
the deliberations of Congress when Mr.. Blaine
was Speaker, and at the close of which he re-
ceived the thanks Of both parties, will know
that this is high praise, honorably earned by
Mrs. Wilkins.
The able address of National President
Wickins was given in full, except official de-
eisons, last week. Our W.R.C. readers were
asked 10 note the opinions, decisions and
recommendations and then compare them with
the action Of Convention, in order to see just
how far our National President was in accord
with the W.R.C., as expressed in the will OF
the supreme power of the Order, eleventh
National Convention.
The Presidents Address was submitted TO a
committee, consisting OF Department Presi-
meut Presidents Louise A. Robbins, of Michi-
gan, and Caroline II. Bell, of Wisconsin; and
Department Presidents Amanda Murdoch, OF
West Virginia, and Julia S. COnklin, of Indiana
Just before the noon adjournment. Presi-
dent Ross, Of George II. Thomas Corps of In
diaDapolis, was introduced, and invited tho
Convention TO reception at the Propyl8um,
the woman's building of indianapolis, built
and managed by women.
After an official introduction to Convention,
baj. Hcndershott was presented beautiful
drum, silver trimmed, and ornamented with
the GAR. badge, in silver, upon which wa
engraved: Robert Henry HenGershott, Drum.
MGR Boy Of the Rappahannock, from friends
OF the Woinan's Relief Corps Auxiliary TO the
Grand Army Of the Republic, u. S. A., Indian.
spolis. indianapolis, September g. 1893"
Past National President Kate b. Sherwood
made the presentation speech. The son was
then presented a silver trimmed fife, after
which drummer and fler made Roberts Park
ring with patriotic music, appropriately CLOSING
with " The Girl Left Behind Me-"
After this came the first of the daily seriei
Of noon lunches. provided for the Convention
In the parlors of Roberts Park Church. A
decorated menu souvenir, with the symbolic
figure Of Victory, which surmounts the Indi
annapolis Soldiers aud Sailors Monument OF
tho front cover, and a cut of Roberts Parl
Church on tue back, and, within, the bill 0
fare OF the elegant luncheons daily provided
was presented each guest.
Following the adjournment the Indiana Sol
diers' and Sailors Orphans Home Band rem
dered patriotic airs from the platform, an,
were rewarded with waving handkerchief.