The National tribune., 1894-09-13

demonstrated their faith in the Grand Army
Reserve, whose object is to assist Union vet
Grams and to perpetuate the principles fol
which they offered their lives.
To the Department Commanders who have
used their influence with the Posts TO organize
auxiliaries. and have mailed General Orders
| to National Headquarters, want to convey my
| personal thanks and inform them that theil
General Orders on file with those of the
Commander-inC Chief General Orders have
also been exchanged between the National
| Headquarters Sons of Veterans and many Di
vision Commanders.
To Z. b. Stillings I am under great obliga-
tions, for his experience in the work committed
| to him by our Order has been invaluable to
me. Only those who have boen associated with
him in the same capacity can full appreciate
the benefit derived from his knowledge OF
every branch of our work, which has outgrown
| the boundaries our minds first made for it. We
are indebted to his personal study and super
| vision for much of our present system.
| am indebted to Robert B. Beath for his ad-
Iylce and concise opinions when appealed to,
| and for ather fav0rs; also, to J. X. Dawson for
I courtesies extended to the representatives to
| this Convention. To T. II. Goodman. San
| Francisco special thanks are due for reduced
fare over the Southern Pacific Railroad, which
enabled Mrs. Kline to visit Oregon in the in
| terests of the Order in that Department
would like TO make personal mention of all
| who have by their counsel and encouragement
! helped me to bear the responsibilities of my
office; but / cannot convey 10 you the tender
and grateful appreciation have of the pride
expressed by the veterans and other friends
in my own Department because of the honor
which was generously bestowed upon a Co
worker in the Empire State.
To Past Commander-in-C Chief Palmer. the
Past Department Commanders and Commander
Shots and staff of New York, Carl Bancroft,
Harry Kellogg, John Jay Phillips, and Charles
E. Mink, desire to publicly express my appre-
citation of personal service rendered in behalf
of the organization.
To the Secretary of the Chautauqua Assem-
bly, and to all County and Regimental associa-
tions of veterans / can only express thanks for
their desire to advance the Auxiliary of the
Grand Army by giving us place on their
programs, thereby strengthening the bond
which already exists between the organization
we serve and the one we represent
To the cooperation of the entire organiza-
ton, whose representatives elected me, owe
whatever measure of success that has attended
my administration of the affairs committed to
my charge. We have n common ambition, a
common interest, a common purpose, a COM
mon offering, and we may by united effort rear
an altar to charity from which an everlasting
fire shall send up sweet incense to God.
/ am under special obligation to Mrs. L. A.
Turner and Harriet L. Reed for their mission
airy labors among the colored Corps in Florida
and South Carolina during their visits in the
South. Formal words cannot convey the deep
sense of gratitude / feel / owe them personally
for their conscientious loyalty to principle,
which was demonstrated in bravely enduring
fatigue, exposure to storms under peculiar con-
ditions, which no one can know of living in a
loyal community and among loyal people.
Special thanks due Past President Mar
garet Ray Wilkins for the able manner she
presented our work at the Convention of Asso-
ciated Charities held in Nashville, Tenn, in
May 1t was an opportunity she felt impressed
to improve, although her mission there was in
connection with her present position. To the
Past National Presidents ! owe much of the
courage to meet the requirements of my office;
and when at the close Of this Convention l
shall lay down the charge, !, too, will lend to
my successor all my past experiences, that she
may profit by them.
My entire staff has been faithful and vigil
liant Each one has been tower Of strength
to me, for the interests Of the Order has been
dear to them and as sacredy guarded.
The National Secretary and myself have
been more closely associated than even Presi-
dents and Secretaries usually are; for 1 have
lived at Headquarters and visited my home at
long intervals. Together we have worked,
studied, and planned necessarily. Soon the
daily compan ionship of year will cease; but
the memory of her faithful conscientious per-
Torrance of duty, her unwavering constancy
which has strengthened the friendship formed
in the years of previous association, will be not
the least of the treasured recollections of my
official year.
All difficulties, embarrassments and compG-
cations have been bravey met by earnest
hearts and willing bands. The success which
has crowned our efforts as an Order has placed
us foremost among the charitable organizations
of our land. With hearts OVERLOOKING with
loyalty to the defenders of our Nation. let US
senderly, lovingly minister to their wants and
receive Fathers well DONE"
NATIONAL vIoE-PREsrDENTs.
National Senior Vice. President Jennie Myer-
hoff congratulates the National President upon
her efficiency, and the Order upon prosperous
year, with no disaster of field or flood, and no
discord or internal discussions. The following
extract shows her in touch with the spirit of
the times:
"In devoting especial attention to the teach
ing of patriotism in the sch ools of our land, tho
Woman's Relief Corps has struck the keynote
of its power. note, with feeling OF personal
pride, its grand development anu the fact that
1t stands to-day without a peer among the or
CARNATIONS Of women"
National Junior ice-President Amanda T.
Newcomb extends congratulations, and enjoins
her cowOrkers in Convention to renew I" the de-
termination to remain true to our obligation
so long as an old veteran or his dependent ones
live TO need our care or sympathy"
REPORT OF NATIONAL SECRETARY
National Secretary Sarah E. Phillips makes
tabulated report, with explanatory introduce
ton and important recommendations in
routine work. Her report is based on the cor
rected returns of June 30, 1893, when the Order
was represented by 105 603 members, divided
up in 2,6S6 Corps.
Notwithstanding the great financial stress
and the fact that for the last quarter 1874 de-
linqnent Corps were reported, the Woman's
Relief Corps has had substantial growth. A
net gain is reported of 81 Corps and 4, 75I men,
bers
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