The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-07-05
THE RELIEF CORPS.
Gleanings from National Headquar-
ters---NOteS from the Departments.
TWELFTH NATIONAL CONVENTION.

TWELFTH NATIONAL CONVENTION.
Great Plans Under Way at Pittsburg for
the Reception and Entertainment of the
woman's Relief Corps-The Refreshment
Hall Opened for Union Soldiers Still Stands
Open-National General Orders-Notes and
Gleanings.
Past National President Annie Wittenmyer,
who performed such heroic service on behalf
of the boys in blue in the days of 1861 '65, is
none the less hero now that she is herself q
sufferer, and can only dictate her thoughts as
she lies bound to her couch from injuries re-
ceived while rescuing friendless little duck
lings in storm.
Though it will be some time before Mrs. Wit
tenmyer is restored to her usual strength. yet
her work has not been allowed to languish,
and, as she expresses it, though bound in body
she is free in spirit. With the aid Of q stem.
ogrspher her large correspondence goes on.
The two Homes of which she is Chairman she
reports as fourishing and Army Nurse work
Frightening little.
Everybody is so kind" she says, sending
flowers and delicacies and little tokens of SYM
pathy. My staff officers in the Department
are very competent, and Relief Corps work In
the State will not suffer-"
Of twelfth National Convention she writes
as follows:
1.-THE Fourth Avenue Baptist Church, corner
Fourth avenue and Rose street, in which 10Th
National Convention will be held is stone
church, very large and beautiful, and has
plenty of cOmmittce-rooms and every facility
for our work. The main Sunday school room
is large enough to seat 400 people.
There is dining room and a kitchen, and the
cupboards are full of beautiful dishes, enough
to serve 500 at one time. The dining-room is
large and airy-in fact, there is nothing left to
be desired that these good Baptist people do not
offer US. They patriotic and generous.
The arrangements for entertainment are very
complete. II those who are going to the Con-
vention will give due notice of the fact they
will be well taken care Of
The best citizens of Pittsburg have been in
terested in the arrangements and, if need be,
their beautiful homes will be thrown wide open.
The daily luncheon will likely be
LITTLE BIT AHEAD
of anything served on these occasions hereto
fore; but of the many little surprises will not
speak, or they will not be surprises.
A carriage drive has been arranged for Mon
day through the most beautiful part Of Allie
gheny and Pittshurg, including East End,
Schenley and Highland Park, where refresh
ments will be served in the pavilion.
The GAL r. parade will take place on Tues
day, and on Tuesday evening a reception by
the citizens. On Wednesday evening the
GAR. Campfire, and on Thursday evening the
ladies' reception.
There will also be a river excursion up the
Monongshela through most romantic and beau
tiful scenery, to which the W. R.C. will be in
vited.
/ will say with confidence that Pittsburg will
go a little ahead of anything else in their Law
ish and heartfelt hospitality. There is no more
loyal city on the continent. During the war
they kept large refreshment hail. which is
still standing, open night and day for the &C.
commodation of soldiers passing through the
town.
They had an arrangement with the railroad
to telegraph ahead, as trains came in, the num-
Der of soldiers on board and as the hall was
near the railroad, no matter what hour of the
night or day, the provisions were waiting to be
served.
Mrs. Lynch, my Secretary, is host In her.
self, and Mrs. Cummings my predecessor in
office, is equally capable and interested Those
who come to Pittsbarg will have a splendid
time, and the outlook at present is that we will
have large and delightful Convention.
NATIONAL GENERAL ORDERS.
HEADQUARTERS WoMAN's RELIEF CORPS,
AUXILIARY TO THE GAR,
SYRACUSE, N. Y, June Is, 1894. }
General Orders, No. z.
/. The 10Th National Convention of the
WR.C will be held at Pittsburg, Pa, the sec
and appointments for convention work will be
issued later.
ii. Members of our Order desiring informa-
tion should address Mrs. Carrie V. Sheriff.
Chairman of Committee On Entertainment of
Ladies, No. 81 Knoll street, Allegheny, Pa
Hotels will make arrangements direct with
guests, and not through the Committee on Ac-
commodations.
III. Delegates and alternates-eect who are
unable to attend will notify their Department.
Secretaries as early as possible, that all vacan-
cies may be filled before leaving their respect.
i've States
w. National officers, excepting Treasurer
and Counselor, will forward their reports to
National Secretary not later than July 10, and
all resolutions and appeals to be presented to
18th National Convention must be in the hands
Of the National Secretary by same date.
V. Department Presidents will forward re-
ports for quarter ending June 80 promptly, that
National Secretary may not be delayed in pre-
pairing her annual report. Blanks for these re-
ports have been sent out, and if any fail to re-
ceive them they will notify this Office at once
vi. Departments and detached Corps will
iquidate all Indebtedness to National Treas
ury before July Is, and all accounts against the
National Treasury must be presented by same
date.
VII. At the request of Committee on Legis-
latiOn, GAR, the attention of Department and
Corps Presidents is called to the bill to insure
preference in appointment, employment, and
retention in the public service of the United
States TO veterans Of the late war. The Ma
tional President requests that they COMMUNE
cate with the members of Congress in their re-
spective districts at once, asking for prompt
and favorable action on the BILL and otherwise
use every means in their power toward secur-
ing this measure of justice to the worthy vet
eran.
VIII. From communications coming to this
office, it is evident that in many instances Corps
Presidents are conducting their work in ac-
c0rdance with obsolete laws. Department
Presidents ruust see to it that Presidents of
Corps in their respective Departments are
working under the laws of our Order as con-
tanned in the latest edition OF Rules and Regu-
lations, Ritual. and Service books. =,
TX. The National President desires to thank
the Corps OF which our noble Order is composed,
and to commend them as well for their munfi-
cent contributions toward the fund for Memo
rial Day in the South. the sum of $Sl597
having been sent by the National Treasurer
to the Quartermaster- General of the Grand
Army.
x. Mary III. Stephenson, daughter Of DR.. B.
+. Stephenson. the originator and founder of
the Grand Army of the Republic, has compiled
and published Memoir of her fathers life,
which the National President recommends
with pleasure to the attention of members of
the Grand Army and Woman's Relief Corps.
1t is history of Maj. Stephenson's boyhood
days, his army life, and the founding of the
Grand Army of the Republic and cannot fail
to interest the reader. Copies can be obtained
of Mary IL. Stephenson, Petersburg Ill. Price