The National tribune., 1893-03-30
NATIONAL TRIBUNE WASHINGTON c.

los: its weight aud youy.iusi,jratiou will carry yon
joyfully over the is,ad q the elj, CT sought
As you work think al Your cosey homes,
and how you would ieeilf in your old age yon had
place TO lay your head, ard may your gratitude
rise us sweet incense. lit ,wiilt help you in your
labor oflove.
As you work think ofthe blessings we enjoy as a
Nation, and then remember tor whom in
debted for their continsa.ou.iand YOU will esteem
it privilege to assist in building homes for our
country defenders. iil>--
KANSAS coNvESrIoS.
DEAR TRIBUNE: Kansas Cunyention was opened
formally Feb q. after which there WAS an open
session that visiting comrades might listen TO the
reports. National President Margaret r. Wilkins
and National Secretary Flora r. Hogbin were in
attendance Other National Officers present
Department President Ida v, Moore. our National
Belle {. Harris and Allie Myers.
The NJ Il. Church. where Convention was held,
was decorated with National colors and the gavei-
stand was section of tree taken from the battle
field of Chickamauga, with relics of shot md shell
sticking in every part, which stand the W.RC. felt
it a great privilege 10 use.
All who had father, husband. or brother in the
battle OF Chickamauga were asked TO rise, when
30 rose. One had father, Colonel on the Con-
federate side, and husband on the Union side, in
that battle.
Edith Wood, of Pittsburg in behalf Of Corps 9s,
presented Department President Moore with a
gavel made of oak from the battlefield OF Wilson's
Creek, the handle of native walnut, tipped with
zinc from their own smelters the whole represent
ing the labor of thousands Of their wage-earners.
Reports read showed that Kansas has 1857 MEM
bers in good standing, and spent Ss,09O.I2 In the
work the last year. When the Treasurer read
ing with debt Of $3.50. the comrades gave long
cheer and asked if they might send their officers
to study bookkeeping OF the W.R.C.
But. comrades, IL not only the excellent
book keeping but the etcrnnl vigilance Of ALL the
Department President, the Executive Board and
the whole staff OF officers which made the balance
tl,na liz
ported $40 members in Kansas entitled TO a vote in
Convention, and 243 voting members present. The
past year Fl passed to their home beyond.
Kansas resolved TO furnish A room in the Ma
tionai WR.C. Home TO be known rs the Z" Marga-
ret X. Wilkins Room and Army Nurses of Kan
sas who may have no home will find a resting
place there.
Convention resolved to disapprove of any merry
making on Memorial Day in the way of balls, pic
from the solemnity of the day-Our Country's Sab
bath.
The committee to visit the Grand Army stated
that every year the committee returned with the
report that they were received with the greatest
enthusasn but this years Encampment had re-
sponded Amen" Amen" all over the building.
retired.
A committee from the Sons of Veterans were
just entering Convention when telegram
brought announcing the death of J., J. Webb. Past
Commander in Chief, s. ofV A W.R.C. commit
tee was appointed to purchase floral design to
intrst 10 the s. of " escort who were to attend the
funeral.
The parade was imposing, passing along the
wide, nicely paved streets, and Comrade Parks. of
Washington, who carried the W,R.C. banner at
Washington, d. c., again acted standard bearer.
The election of officers was very harmonious. re-
suting as follows:
Pres, Lucy II. Jones, Norton; s. V.-P, Edith
Wood, Pttsburg; ]. v.-P. Allie Myers, Ola,he;
Treas, Evelyn Bradford, Concordia; Chap
Ranney, Burlington.
Executive Board-Alice M. Seeds Abilene: Min
ME Laphanl, Herington; Emma b. Alrich, Cauker
City; Jennie Il. Besaek Washington; Matte Le-
land, Troy.
Appointed oflcers-Sec Lulu D. Jones, Norton
ms. j. Campbell, Hutchinson; ]. and j. Officer,
Julia Mccarthy, Larned; Counsellor, Ida w.
Moore Abilene
thing the ensuing year. three Of the Executive
Board and five Of the whole Council are connected
with Kansas newspapers.
Officers of the GA r.. w II. c. and s. of " were
jointly installed IN the Opera House. closing of
the most successful years in the history of the
W.R.C., and the most orderly business-ike Con-
venton of kansas-Emma B. Arich, Caulser
City.
DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN.
The 10th annual Convention of Michigan W.R c.,
was held at Benton Harbor March 7 and g. Open
"Wednesday, at $40 p. M, making the shortest time
on record for W, R.C. Department Convention in
this State. All reports of officers in by
o'clock Tuesday, and several committees ready to
report. Everything moved off with surprising and
gratifying smoothness and ceierty from start to
finish.
Department President Perry made an excellent
presiding officer, and was prompt. business-lke
and energetic. She was ably supported by her
Counselor, Sara L. Brown, and Secretary Hattie
Willard. of Battle Creek. Past Department Presi-
dent Abbie X. Fagg acted as Assistant Secretary.
The routine work was admirably gotten through
and the small. sweet conrtesies of Conventions
not omitted Ali regretted greatly the absence of
Past National President Emma Stark Hampton,
and National Treasurer Armla A. Cheney. The be-
loved Louisa A. Robbins. of Adrian, was not seen
in her accustomed place. and the first Department
President of Michigan, Ella w. Shank, was unable
TO attend; but there were five Past Department
Presidents, Mesdames Kinds Plunmer Thompson,
Flagg and Brown. who voted with the Department
President for the woman who is to-day Chief
Executive Of Michigan's WI c.; and had the three
absentees been at Benton Harbor, there is little
doubt that three more votes would have been cast
for A llaseba NJ Bliss, of Saginaw, for Department
President.
She who has been thus fortunate TO secure the cor
dial support of All her predecessors is the wife of
A. t. Bliss. ex-Congressman, and the noble and
woinany helpmeet of that great hearted. generous
man Associated with her as Department Treasurer
is Nina d. Knsey, whose charming qualities Of
min dand person have endeared her to all Mchi-
gan W.R.C. workers. Jennie Carpenter was APP
pointed Secretary, and entered upon her duties
witha will.
The exceptional work Of the past year in this
Department. outside the routine of business. was
that on behalf Of the W.R.C. Home, "A scheme which
found a united and hearty support from Michigans
best men and women: Department President
Sarah J.. Brown moved first In the matter and was
warmly seconded by her successor, Department
President Perry, and the Corps throughout the
State.
The Joint GAR. and W.R.C. Committee did
amount of work, its Secretary writing 53l COM
33l Of which were sealed letters, and
2200 printed circulars in behalf of
the Home. AS was said at the grand Campfire by
one OF the W.RC. speakers: Should the Legis.
!ature At Lansing grant us that appropriation of
$50 900 which we have asked for we will thank
God and be grateful; should they say nay, not a
woman's heart will faint sink with discourage
ment, of all the 5000 WR.C. in the State. IN the
name of God we have set up our banners, and in
His name we will go in the good work with the
active operation of the Grand Army"
What God has joined together man, woman, nor
Soldiers Homes shall be permitted to put asunder
Among the pleasant places at Benton Harbor were
those where Gen. Weisserts genial countenance
appeared, and his words of encouragement and
praise greatly pleased the W.R.C.
The fraternal relations between Col. Dean, De-
Commander. and Department President
cordial throughout the year, both Orders profting
thereby.
National President Wilkins was not with u.s.
greatly 10 our disappointment.
1t would be mistake to omit mention of the
delightful and lavish hospitality of the women,
aud citizens of Benton Harbor, who did
so much to render the Encampment and Conven-
ton memorable in meetings of their kind The
next annual EHcampment will be at Owosso.-
Sarah A. G. Pumnaer, Past Department President
Lansing, Mich.
DEPARTMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Officers of the Pennsylvania Department are as
follows: Pres, Charlotte j. Cummings, Tidioute;
S. V. p, Elizabeth Rrkbcck, Wilkes Barre j V.P,
Alice Starr Hauck Mechanicsburg; Treas, Martha
Sherman, Kendall Creek; Chap, Elizabeth Ewing
Ph1nixville. Executive Board, Eva NJ. Evans
Haven: Emma Richards, Reading Hottie l.. Bate
man. Eykens; Eliza Richards, Franklin.