The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-09-14
ELEVENTH NATIONAL
CONVENTION, WRC
Address of National President Marga-
ret Ray WickinS-Summary of Re
ports of Secretary and Treasurer.
Strong Pleas for Economy and Re
trenchment.

the faces of many Of the founders of the Order
were missing, to the sincere regret of many.
Past National Presidents Barker, Fuller, and
Kline were among the absentees unavoidably
detained by physical indisposition.
All the reports were notable for their con-
densed form and thorough attention to details.
The Presidents address, exclusive of official
decisions nearly all of which have been pro-
mulgated, is given almost entire together with
the text of the reports of the National Secre-
tary and Treasurer.
1t is with much qualification that THE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE notes the recommendation
for economy and retrenchment in the National
Presidents address and the National Treas
Hrer's report, as well as the fact that 18th Ma
tional Convention legislated along the same
lines The effect of all this will be most benef-
cent upon Department Conventions and their
manifest tendency toward ill-advised and ex-
travagant legislation.
There is no page so eloquent among all the
reports as that which chronicles the story Of
relief. Old Massachusetts, leads off with total
of SIS, 5S1.45: Ohio follows with $l5,0S5.97i
Illinois, with S6,O9224; California s., 1924 7;
Michigan, $7,9553l; New York, $7,56797;
Pennsylvania, $7.596.s7; Kansas, $6,53910;
Missouri, $599334; Indiana, $4,94O Wiscon-
sin, $4,I2523; Colorado and Wyoming, So
1885; Nebraska, $3,99033; Minnesota, 3d.
37444; Connecticut, s., 1860; New Hamp-
shire, 1922 SO; Washington and Alaska,
$2,075.91; Potomac, 81, S05.02; Vermont ST.
9Ss.l7; Maine. 81, 20O21; Maryland, 81, 1882;
Oregon, $l,l3436; South Dakota, $4,000;
Rhode Island, $91Os2; New Jersey, $9O1.22;
Kentucky, $69I.2S; Louisiana and Mississippi,
$455.70; Montana, $49195; West Virginia,
$30S05; Texas, SS3.40; Tennessee, $685.. The
Provisional Department of New Mexico and
the detached Corps of Arizona Arkansas,
Florida Georgia, Idaho, Indian Territory,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Utah, and Virginia expended in relief an ag-
gregate Of 81 ,549.65
The NATIONAL TRIBUNE confines its present
account to a record of deeds performed and
recommendations made. The coming account
will record the round of pleasures and proceed
ings of Convention. Please note the recon-
mendations made and compare them with the
report Of proceedings to follow, which is the
next best thing to attendance upon National
Convention. National President Margaret Ray
Wilkins, after welcoming the delegates to
Convention congratulatiDg them upon the
triumphs of the Columbian year. and also upon
the fact that peace reigned in every Depart
Ment, proceeded to a consideration of the work
OF the year in the following
ADDRESS.
While the numerical growth of the Order has not
been great possibly in other years II has been
very gratifying as will be seen from the Secretarys
report. but had there not been many dein quent
and suspended the showing would have been
much more credtable; but this does not indicate
foil 1T Ftsfsr -
the absence from home of so many of the officers
in this the Worlds Fair year. Again in the organ
izatiOn OF new Corps we cannot hope 10 count in
organization as IN the past for the territory has
been pretty well covered and there is not so large
q field from which to garner. The number of Corps
organized as reported by the National Institutng
and Installing Officer is POI, number of charter
members 4,75O.
The instruction Of the 10Th National Convention
placed the revision of Rules and Regulations Red
Book. Ritual and Service Book Tor rather instruc-
tIons 10 make all confOrm) in the hands OF the
National President and Secretary. To this work
gave my personal supervision and care. studying
the decisions Of past National Conventions, com
pairing well each, that two decisions might con-
nlei, hndlng thus saith decision of National Con-
yention the supreme power for every step takeu
was not instructed 10 change. only TO make con-
form. This have done according 20 your decision
not according TO my opinion. This work was be-
gun as soon as the official decision reached me,
which was the stenographer's report. A copy as
the Fast National Secretary remembered them
was received earlier but while very helpful in the
routine work. could not be taken SIS official decs-
February
completed and left my hands, but unavoidable de-
lays occurred for which no one was to be censured
and The explanation OF which cannot be given. /
can only say your National President knew the
causes aud asks you 10 accept her statement that
al was done that could be done under the crcum-
stances IL was found in looking the blanks
that enough were on hand of some that changes
had been ordered in TO last through the year and
longer, and In consideration of the very low state
OF our finances. aud in consultation with members
Of my Council 1t was deemed best not to carry out
tue instructions Of the Convention In revision Of
blanks.
NATIONAL w.R.C. HOME.
Among the fret official duties of nv year was to
Dc present at the dedication of our National WR.C
Home, or rather tie Ohio Cottage, and in behalf
Of our Order, receive this magnificent donation
from the Ohio Legislature. through their Construc-
ZION Committee 1t was proud moment Of my
administration when this beautiful home so nicely
FURNISHED was so generously presented and tried
10 express your thanks to them. As looked into
tbe faces Of the dear old ladies there sheltered
sno realized the comfortable provision that had
been made for them, could but think Of the thou.
SANDS outside this lovely place, sodieTs' families
who were not thus comfortably provided for and
wish all might be sheltered here. The Inaiuteu-
since OF this Home is a matter that should be seri-
onsly considered IL is yours, aud upon you de-
wolves the support of it, inmates. It's affairs have
DeeH tDott guofelousy cared for under the able
management Of Hannah p Plifnpton and her as
eistanis As sat ia the deliberations OF the Board
Of Directors / could but think how little realfza-
ton throughout the Order there was of the plun-
ming and deyising it required by those earnest
women 70 make one dollar do the work of two
'-~' az tiiS pcI capita TAX received by the
National treasurer goes TO the support Of this
Home and Just barely covers the expenses NOW
and through the year ! have been casting about
me Tor some plan whereby this labor of love might
De mace easier upon the National and am led TO
De'ieSe mat the only way Is TO lend our influence
~ peFsnading Departments that IL is far easier for
then' instead OF building W. re. Home In their
ctAle, That ls almost more of "a burden than they
can carry, TO send the widows and the Arny
Nurses 10 the National Home; that it is alreadv
ours ana M ust be maintained aud give of their
money 10 help support H. aud n far less sum from
Saeh department than they can possibly keen
home ia their Stale will relieve the burden of lie
national aud bountilulIy care for cur deserving
needy ones.
WORLDS FAIR.
Eariy in the year visited Chicago. went before
the Lady Board of Managers and completed ar
engagements FOR space for our ezhibi: among the
representative organizations of women of the
NoIio ia Tie organization room in the Woman's
bohalng, aiter which addressed personal letter
70 eaeh Permanent and Provisional President and
Dethcheo Corps, asking such contributions either
~ papiaers money, whatever most pleased
them. In response TO this most cordial indorse-
neht OF my plans aud cheerful compliance with
my request has been received l admitted nv
piahs ana purposes TO my Council who gave their
nesIy cooperation and approval of all my plans
Al play went TO Chicago and personally sunerin-
eShoen tie arranging OF exhibit and through
sne conllDutlons oil the various Departments and
sndlFiduals we have exhibit that attracts aften
hon and praise, and we have been very nroud
when asked The aims and objects of our represen.
thuon. 10 represent the loyal women of our Nation
as Tie auxiliary of the Grand Army Of the Renub
nc. NO salary has been paic in connection with
ans exhibit. have felt the state OF our finances
Womb not justify an expenditure in this direction