The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-09-12
THE RELIEF CORPS.
Gleanings from National Headquar-
terS---Notes from Departments.
THIRTEENTH NATIONAL CONVENTION.

| week began early this year with q granu
W.R.C reception at the Gait House, rendered
by the Nationel President to the Commander
in. Chief and staff, and attended by hundreds
of friends of the Order, GAR. and W.R.C.
Receptions were held the same evening by
the Departments of Ohio, Indiana, New Hamp-
shire. Connecticut Iowa and Maine. Wednes-
day evening the Department of Massachusetts,
held reception at the Gait House.
the pleasures of the week, the renewal OF
acquaintance. the visits exchanged the candi-
dates canvassed, the review and parade, and
| fireworks and unique visits, more at another
| time.
But now to National Convention, opening in
18th annual assemblage, at Library Hall this
morning. Sept IL. at 10 o'clock, National Presi-
dent Emma R. Wallace presiding.
The guards stationed, the password is
taken up, the gsvel comes down, prayer is fol-
lowed by patriotic song, introductions are given
and conrtesies exchanged, and Convention
quets down to listen to the loyal little woman
who has given all her time and strength to the
upbulding of the grand soldier auxiliary,
whose standard bearer she has been for the
year that is gone.
Her able address is herewith given, emitting
only such portions as have reference to pro-
posed revisions of the work of the Order. 1t
will be found both pleasant and profitable
reading:
ADDRESS OF THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT.
Officers and Members Of the 18Th National Con-
pention:
Labor with what zeal we will,
Something still remains undone
Something uncompleted still
Waits the rising of the sum-"
So sang the poet, and the words will echo
and re-echo down the ages, and still be true
forever true.
Yet in this work-a.day world OF ours, at
stated periods stop and take account of
stock, report progress and devise methods by
which that mysterious future can be made the
most OF. AS we gather here to-day, Oh this
weird and fsteful 18th anniversary, National
Departments and detached Corps ask of each
other q Is it well with thee?" and with hearts
filed with memories of mighty past, when n
Nation in the sgones of war saved by the
sacrifices of brave men and earnest women,
the answer comes, by divine guidance it is.
YEARS WORK.
Realizing the responsibilities of the National
Presidency OF an organization so large in men,
bership, so filled with glorious achievements in
the past, and fully approaching the honor you
had bestowed, we began our labor of love.
Headquarters were established at once in Chi
cago, 20 State street. Room 4l2 and soon
found that though Presidents come and Pres-
dents go, reports run forever. Earnest at
tention is called to the recommendations of the
National Secretary and National Treasurer re-
gsrding semi-annual reports. in which the full
est concurrence is hereby given.
In December letter was received from c. T.
Watson, Department Commander of Georgia
ock inn tho Wprnanfp paliaf Tnypc IL
receive gift the Andersonville Prison prop
erty. The letter WAS sent 10 the members of
the National Council, and consensus of opinion
against. As il was not unanimous we thought
best to decline with proviso, and asked. if
there was no other disposition made OF the
property that they would refer the matter to our
Convention, with fuller explanations aud more
detailed account of fin cial responsibility. 1t
is sacred ground.
Hark do you hear him singing
"In the prison cell sit
Thin king mother. dear, of you
And our bright and happy home so far away"
NATIONAL w.R.c. HOME.
We turn our thoughts and there is the Home;
not the the soldier saw in his dreams, but
one builded by love, guarded with care, where
peace and prosperity shall abound; where the
veterans dependent ones and those loyal SOL
dier-wonen, the conSecrAted Army Nurses,
shall be protected and smile away their last
days in quiet rest.
1t was our privilege to visit the Home on our
return from National Convention and the liv-
ing, loving work this Order is doing would fill
volumes could the story be told at length. The
business transacted at the meetings held at that
time will be given you by the officers of the
Board. The remeR brance of a husband taken
from Soldiers Home and given place beside
his wife; the depressed, but earnest feelings
shown at the new life open before them; tho
sweet smiles and quiveriHg tones ofthose women
who had given so much for you and me- for you
aud me, has followed like benediction through
the years, and comes to urge to never
cessing work fol these helpless, homeless wards
of ours.
The action Of the last National Convention,
approving the contribution of four cents per
member, has been as we'll collected as anything
not direct tax could be. Experience shows
that collections other than per capita tax vary
with each year, lessenipg all the time until at
last il ceases; therefore,
Recommendation No. i is made-that tho
per capita tax be raised one cent per quarter
1t will not come hard on Departments to pay
this extra cent each quarter, and while not
seeming to add so much TO the Home treasury,
1t will in the end be more, coming regularly,
increasing the years pass on instead of de-
creasing. Your thoughtful approval is asked
for this first recommendation, which is gladly
made, that our Homo may be more helpful in
the future.
DISTRICT CONVENTIONS AND INSPECTION.
There seems to be growing tendency to hold
District Conventions each State adopting the
plan most suitable to their work. =
Taking these meetings as social reunions. as
educational, in exemplfying the ritualistic
work and explaining the laws, they cannot-fal
in benefting our Order. 1t would be much
greater means of extension If they had a stand
ing in our Rules and Regulations. This thought
brings US to the ever recurring question: " How
can we make our inspection more satisfactory"
Most of the Departments that voted to change
the time in accordance with the new law begged
the National President to change them back as
soon as their Department Conventions were
over, because they found it impossible TO use
the months they had selected.
is IL not possible to combine this work as
suggested by the National Inspector? Give it
earnest thought, and formulate your law with
care and consideration.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.
We have passed the Rnbcon. We have stood
side by side with the other grand organizations
Of women, and told our story of the flag"
sung our hymns of loyalty. Joined by the repre-.
sentatives of nearly 600, 900 American women.
In the two weeks at Washington, ID. c. when
the great National Congress was held, we adj
vanced the Womans Relief Corps more than
words can tell Your committee appointed for
this work will give you in detail the work ac-
complished and the success attained. Yet, in
this advance step we have taken, there is al
ways danger of enth usiasm binding our igdg- |
nant and we ahould kean we'll in mind four