The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-09-12

The committee appointed by 10Th National
Convention to represent the Wo2an's Relief
Corps at the National Conference Of Charities
WAS changed somewhat from the original ap-
pointment. Mrs. Cora Day Young and Mrs.
Margaret Ray Wilkins not being able to attend
| Mrs. Allssebs Bliss was made Chairman and
| Mrs. Charlotte Wright added. This committee
will doubtless report upon this subject and you
| will be able to judge of the advantages gained
DETACHED CORPS.
| The number of detached Corps has boon re-
! duced by the organization of the Department
| of Idaho. The effort has been made this year
to visit the small Departments and Corps in
the West, with good results, and the appropria'
| tion of 5000 for that purpose is good one and
| should be continued.
| There has been but one appeal sent National
| Headquarters during the year, and that was
regarding the revocation of Corps charter.
| As the Department Commander of the Grand
| Army of the Republic and other comrades who
| had given the matter much thought conceded
| with the Department President, her ruling was
sustained.
We had hoped to close our entire years work
with the glad tidings of peace all along the
line; but three appeals have been forwarded
for consideration-and may the sweet spirit OF
| fraternity guide us in all our decisions
PENSION WORK.
There is one woman in our Order who is
quietly, persistently, under difficulties, prose-
cutting the claims OF those women who IN their
youth gave their strength and time. never
needing danger or disease, but in poverty and
old age are now left to the cold charities of an
minimizing people-Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer.
When her last hours shall come, her lovin &
deeds for these Army Nurses will float on before
and shine like golden CLEAN, and will
brighten her way even through the pearly
gates of heaven.
While she is with us and at work we should
aid her all we can and see that she has funds for
her work and, remember, one of the best ways
to aid Is to help her, even in Under the
Guns" to tell her own story.
OFFICIAL VISITS.
Well, my friends, there has been some visit
ing done, that is true; but when tho call came,
"Come into Macedonia and help u.s." and the
pleading word, eff You only knew how we
needed you to strengthen u.s." all else sank into
nothingness, and we sighed to do more-oh. so
much more-but days have their limit of time.
The National Convention has made its limit of
expenditure in that direction, and sometimes
there is a limit to human endurance With it
ali, we can report having been present at the
Conventions of Maine, New Hampshire, Yer
mont, Massachusetts,, Rhode Island. Maryland,
Potomac, Michigan, Indiana. Missouri, Okla
homa Territory, Texas, Colorado Illinois,
South Dakota, and Washington (I6 in ALL, half
the Corps in Montana besides many Reunions
with the Commander-in-C Chief. very inter
esting call was made in Xenis, o., attending
District Convention, to the Soldiers Orphan
Home. The sight of 900 little children whose
fathers had given their best for their country's
good. marching along, raising their hands in
sainte to the flag that had cost them so dearly,
was pathetic but inspiring.
On June 12 the Department of Idaho was
ganized at Ceur DAlene, starting with eight
Corps and two in process of forming.
1t would be hard to say who was happy, hap
pier, happiest-the Department of Idaho,
GAR, tho new Department, W.R.C., or the
National President, and while other National
Presidents, now Past, may contest the title
sometimes, it will remain that in
deed the little mother" of tho Department of
Idaho. They elected for their President ono
who, besides being the wife of a brave comrade,
was herself an Army Nurse-Mrs. Alwilda
Smth-which in itself will draw them closely
to the heart of our honored Past National Presi-
dent, Annie Wittenmyer. All this has been
twofold in its effect To the Corps and De-
partments visited the presence of National
officer carries encouragement and cheer; it
binds together more closely this large body of
women and makes them feel nearer in the
work to which they are alike pledged, and to
the National officer it brings thoughtful con-
sideration Of those points that work under
difficulties we could not realize unless seen.
1t brings also deep regard for the self-sacrifc.
ing. earnest women working everywhere for
the Union veteran, the flag he fought to save.
and better understanding of the needs of tn
Home. There were many opportunities |
would have gladly availed myself of to ad vance
the Order, by speech and presence, but with the
doctors hand upon my pulse battling against
nervous prostration, could do no more. Still,
it will be possible to give to the incoming Ma
ti0nal President very fair statement of nearly
every Department.
To have travelled all these understanding up
into the thousands, over mountains and around
hills; across the plains and almost to the Gulf;
from Maine to Texas literally, and from Massa-
chusetts almost to the Pacific Coast-upon the
sums fixed by the Convention would have been
impossible, and had it not been for the many
courtesies shown by railroad officials and De-
partments it could not have been accom-.
plished. for we visited Is Departments, organ
lied one in far.away Idaho, and visited three
Corps in Montana for s20S.01 The miles have
not been counted, but the names of the Depart
ments will show the distance. And still many
points were of necessity left out, and the plead
ing cries still ring in my ears, and to my sue
cessor is whispered, much there is yet for you
to do
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
What words we utter that can tell you
OF LHe iOyai ouppOlb vi NOb-
mander-in-C Chief Thomas G. Lawler, Adj't-Gen.
Jones' and ON Gen. Burst. None could do
more than they have to advance the interests
of our Order. We have travelled together side
by side during the year past and ever and al
ways have they stood a very tower OF strength,
and never have missed opportunity to en-
courage our workers and sustain our work.
To Department Commanders who have sent
us their General Orders, where we have
noticed with pleasure their references to the
yalue of our organization. urging Posts to form
au xiliaries, most earnest THANKS are here ex-
pressed.
1t would not be right to omit the names of
the Grand Trunk, Monon. Northern Pacific, |
Sante Fe, and North western Railroads, who |
have indeed proven true friends to the Woman's |
Relief Corps.
To the staff officers only expressions of |
praise can DO given for their earnest, helpful |
efforts in all that tended for the good Of the |
Order"
The National Secretary has been now, as
her in devotion to the cause and loyalty to her |
President. Never can be expressed the bond |
of friendship between us.
CONCLUSION.
My voice falters and lump rises in my |
tn roat when the words thanks to members
come into my mind, and / shall have to be |
INDUCED a moment as / make my report per- |
sonal From the commencement of my year |
IN til the ending of the same you have been all |
so good, so true to me- We have walked to-
gether from the morning light to eventids; we
\ u Il. - Il