The National tribune., 1893-07-13
CALL A HALT.

| A word to the delegates to 18th National
Convention, Woman's Relief Corps:
The Woman's Relief Corps, auxiliary to the
Grand Army of the Republic, is q great and
powerful association of women. In every State
| where it has subordinate Corps, and In nearly
every town where such Corps exist, it is an
influence for good the support and comfort Of
the Posts to which these Corps are auxiliary,
and an honor to itself and the grand patriots
whose cause it serves.
The great mass of its officers, local, State, and
National like the faithful working members in
the ranks, self-sacrifcing, devoted, honest
and true; and just in proportion as these quail
ties are uppermost in the individuals are they of
benefit to the Order and trusted both for them.
selves and the cause they honor.
The record of the Womans Relief Corps Is
noble one. Ten years ago this month of July
it was organized at Denver. with handful of
members, and without money, or influence or
capital, save the trust and faith that the Grand
Army of the Republic, which had granted them
the proud privilege of serving as their auxili-
airy, would assist them in founding their work
on sure and lasting foundations.
A little purse of $50 or $40 was collected
from charter members, and placed in the hands
of the Treasurer, elected at that Convention
and on this capital the first year of the Womau's
Relief Corps, in its National capacity, began q
campaign that was ultimately to enlist every
State and Territory in the sacred cause of Fra
ternity, Charity, and Loyalty.
Those were the days of sacrifices, VIII en-
women worked freely, ioyfully without COM
pensation; when they gave up their time, their
strength, and their means for the love they
bore the flag and its brave defenders. Behind
these women stood a few stalwart comrades,
whose faith in woman and her work led them
to offer freely of their means, either as gifts or
loans, to make their work a success.
Those who entered upon office knew that it
meant sacrifice, and never was holy cause more
unselfshy served. The very privations en-
dured brought the membership and officers
nearer together; for what joy 30 great as that
which comes from volunteer service in the
cause that calls for the best resources of head
and hand and heart.
1t is the most wonderful thing in the history
of woman's organizations to recall the fact that
the Woman's Relief Corps was organized and
multiplied, not by perambulating orators but
simply by the pens that were driven at the
solitary desks; all through the long days of
Summer heat and Winter cold. far into the
midnight watches, where eyes less weary were
closed in dreamless sleep. And this to secure
the greatest possible results at the least posi-
bic expense.
And with what jealous care the finances OF
the Relief Corps were boarded and treasured;
every penny, every dollar, sacred to the dear
boys in blue" or those whom they had left
sacred legacy to be cherished and defended.
By-and-by the Relief Corps grew rich. Sal.
aries were demanded and given in too many
cases; delegates to conventions stood up, de.
manding that their expenses be paid; officers
began to look out for perquisites; the gen.
eral fund, which should be the steady feeder of
the relief fund, began to disappear under the
heavy drafts made upon it. The era of tempta-
ton and extravaganza set in, and few Corps or
Departments are withoat sprinkling of that
very undesirable component that is in the
Relief Corps for what can be got out of 1t in
money or unearned honors
Department Presidents are spending too
much money travelling about the country. In
spectors incur unnecessary bills in the line of
their duty. 1t is costing entirely too much fol.
reports Department and National
Department Presidents here and there who
nil unsaaried offices are making up the differ
ence by charging rentals for imaginary Head
quarters in their own homes, which the Sec
rotary and Treasurer rarely enter.
Irregularities multiply every year. Word
reaches US of retiring Department President
who presented for payment bills incurred for a
month after she was out Of Office; ola President
who took personal friend to convention as
her aid, and then drew bill on the Treasurer
for the expenses of the aid, without SO much as
submitting it to the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
authorities.
We hear of Department where the Council
refused the report of the Executive Board. be-
cause the majority of the Board disapproved of
the action of the Department President ia al
lowing bill thrown out by the National Con-
vention, thus making themselves a party to
of National authority.
From three Of our largest Departments comes
the news that the work has been crippled by
Irregularities or extravaganza, and from as
many more of inefficiency, or neglect, upon the
part of the Executive Board.
WHAT Is WANTED.
What we women want is moro business and
less gush; more rugged sentiment and less
soldering sentimentalty; more thought and
caro- for the cause we serve and less solicitude
for those who abuse it; moro money for the
disabled veteran, his widow and orphan, and
less for pomp and parade.
In these days of Christian Endeavor we hear
much of conservation" In what cause ia
conservation more needed than in the Relief
Corps? Let every officer, when entering upon
his duties, be well dosed with conservation.
and we will soon hear no more of the financial
scandals that are cropping out here and there
in our Departments ~
Not What can get?" but What can dor"
should be the question every woman should
ask herself who takes upon herself the obliga-
tions of Office in the Woman's Relief Corps.
WORD OF COUNSEL.
Delegates to the 18th National Convention,
just word more. Go to Indianapolis to cele-
brate the completion of the first decade of
your high and holy work, pledged to do all in
your power to strengthen the work of the