Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-20
WoMAN'S RELIEF CORPS.
The Round of Visitation Made by the
Department Officers,


The Department of the Potomac, w. r.
c.. stands unique in the ssterhood of de-
partments, in that the territory is SO small
that the department president may visit
every corps under her jurisdiction during
the MONTH If she so desires. Owing to
that popularity this ought to be the best
managed department in the national or
ganiZation and the best fixed financially.
If it is not 1t will not be the fault of the
department president, Mrs. Hamilton, and
her staff, for a more energetic lot OF
women never wore the badge Of the order.
They are making a round of official calls
upon all the corps, an innovation winch
creates a pleasant diversion, and Is bound
to be salutary in effect. The corps visited
in the last month We're Lincoln, Farragut,
John A Logan of Anacostia and Lafay-
ette They have all very pleasant quar-
tiers, and seem to be in prosperous and
healthy condition, with constantly grow
ing membership.
In the paper on the Woman's Relief
Corps of the Department OF the Potomac
read by Mrs katherine McMonigle OF
Burnside Corps at the meeting of the Fed
Grated Clubs of the District it was shown
that the order is growing in strength and
interest under wise and economical man
work done is of considerable magnitude.
When Mrs. Hamilton elected de
partment president she promptly resigned
the office of president of Potomac Corps,
No. >, much to the regret of the mem
bers but in the election OF Mrs. Edgar
I to fill the vacancy, which election was
held this week, the corps has selected a
worthy successor. Mrs. Edgar appointed
as her secretary Miss Ruth Hamilton, a
bright young High School girl, probably
| the youngest member of the order holding
so responsible a position. She is ardent
| and earnest in her application to her du-
ties and is living eNemplification OF the
policy of utilizing fresh young blood in
the w. r. c. work Mrs. Bessie Boone
Cheshire was on the same evening elected
to fill the office of senior vice president
of Potomac Corps Mrs. Cheshire is mani
testify well fitted for the Office being
woman of culture and refinement, devoted
TO the work and prompt in executing all
demands made for relief of the old soldier.
Burnside Corps also lost an efficient Of
| ficer when the new department ofllcers
were elected, in the person of Mrs. Eliza
| beth Months, its secretary, VINO was erected
senior vice president of the department
Like the president, she felt it incumbent
upon her to give UP her office i'll the corps,
it being the unwritten law of the order
that one shall not hold ONCE IN polh corps
and department.
| The Woman's Relief Corps, auxiliary to
the Grand Army of the Republic, and
standing upon the same platform with II,
was organized eleven years ago IN Denver
with a membership of about one hundred.
| 1t now has a paid-up membership of l4',-
600 and in the ten years has expended
| 81, 015oo0 In cash for relief and beneht OF
unfortunate soldiers their families or the
| widows and orphans of those deceased
1t has founded schools. homes and hos
| pitfalls, and has led the van in the marcn
| for teaching patriotism in the pubic
schools. 1t has among its honored mem
hers the wives of men who have been lead
ers in the nations councils, and the wives
of three Presidents. The name OF MRS
Frances Folsom Cleveland was added in
| December making the fourth. The others
were Mrs. Hayes, Mrs. Grant and Mrs.
| Harrison.