The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-02-20

The National officers accompanied the De-
partment President to the Encampment tt
extend greetings to the Rhode Island veterans
| The doors were thrown open, and the balcony
was soon filled with women of the WIKI. and
others.
The official visitors were escorted to the
platform and received q fraternal and enthusi
sstic welcome. The addresses from the National
and Department officers were greeted with
rounds of applause.
The Department President presented the
| Grand Army purse of SO from the Re-
lief Corps. which Department Commander
Ballou acknowledged as timely gift Upon
retiring the W.R.C. delegation were given q
rousing " three times three"
The Convention was pleasantly and harmo-
niously conducted, and the reports most en-
couraging showing an advancement in the
| work of the Order, especially in the line OF
patriotic teaching.
| At the noon hour a delegation of IA girls
from the public schools marched into the hall,
| with music and banners, and sang Awake,
Salute Old Glory" written by Kate Brownlee
| Sherwood, Past National President, and ar
ranged to the music of Maryland, My Mary
land by Col J. C. o. Redington.
The Belamy Salute was then given in fine
manner. The Convention arose and gave the
handkerchief salute as the girls retired. 1t
| was a most inspiring sight; and the large
| audience were more than ever impressed that
the fires of patriotism were brightly and stead
| lily burning in the little but loyal State of
| Rhode Island.
The Convention was visited by a delegation
from the Grand Army, who presented the De-
partment President with a basket Of flowers, &C
companied with encouraging words and assur-
| ances of their appreciation of the work of the
Order, as the "only Auxiliary to the Grand
Army of the Republic"
The officers, elective and appointive, are as
rxl1 I'll.
Nassau; s. V.-P., Bessie NJ Seymour; ]. V.-P.,
Mary J. b. Clark; Treas, Lizzie Z. Prentice;
Sec, Ella +. Burt Chap, Edna +. Cbappcll;
Counselor, Emily F. Fish; Instituting and In
stalling Officer Mary f. Paddleford; Inspector,
Anna Budlong.
The officers were installed by the National
President. Addresses by the National officers,
music by the Ladies' Orchestra, and the pre-
Sen tation Of n basket of flowers to the National
President closed the business and pleasures of
notable day in the history of Rhode Island
Woman's Relief Corps.
WASHINGTON AND ALASKA.
DEAR TRIBUNE: John Buford Corps, 10,
Everett, was organized last October by Past
Department President Helen Burke with a
charter membership of %. We feel quito proud
OF this, rs it is the largest Corps ever organized
in our Department, and it is one more item on
the bright side for the Department President,
as SO many of the Corps feel the effect of tho
financial depression. think the outlook en-
couraging, however, and there seems to be
moro hopeful spirit Some of our feeble Corps
are decidedly looking up, though not in the
way the NJ. L. minister, reported his church at
conference, looking UP because they are on
their back and can look no other way"
J. b. Steedman Post and Corps, Whatcom, re-
joice in returning prosperity. Last year the
Corps expended for relief cash. $37.46; other
tur Tn tha
SIS. They made 504 visits to the sick.
Gen. Geo Wright Corps 8, Cheney, cleared S45
from bazaar and SUPPER. Judge Buck. Depart
ment Commander, was present at the joint
installation and banquet : Also J. NJ Comstock,
Assistant Adjutant- General, and wife; Past
Department Treasurer Gomstock, and Capt.
and Mrs. Galbraith, all of Spokane. Mrs.
Comstock installed the Relief Corps officers
and Mrs. Galbraith gave interesting recita-
tions.
Nancy J. Inman was Installed Corps Presi-
dent for the third term at the joint instaila-
tion at Kelso Department Inspector Annie
Knapp Installing Officer
The Corps furnished choice refreshments,
the Post adding fruits aud candies while one
steaming hot
This Corps has furnished room at the Sol
diers' Home from the proceeds of suppers, net
ting $65.
Stevens Corps. 1, Seattle, reports 100 men,
bers, and last year turned over 800 to the Post
Christmas entertainment netted So, and
next came q successful masquerade.
WHERE PATRIOTISM FLoURIsHEs
Past Department Treasurer Comstock. of
Spokane, in a racy and very interesting letter,
describes her trip to inspect f. j. Houghton
Corps, 2S, of Harvey, one Of our new Corps. She
left Spokane in the early morning by cars to
Meyers Falls, then took what is by courtesy
called stage" to Kettle Falls; then another
stage to Harvey; then changed to "A farm
wagon, and went three miles further, climb
ing up above tree-tops after tree-tops 600
feet above the Columbia River
On reaching her journeys end she was
warmly welcomed by the Secretary of the
Corps and her husband, veteran, whom she
soon found was a member of the same regiment
with Comrade Comstock. So they were old
friends at once.
The next day the whole family accompanied
her to the hail. three miles, where Post and
Corps meet at the same time and in the same
building. The mother is Secretary of the
Corps, the daughter Treasurer; the father be-
longs to the Post. and the son To the Sons of
Veterans A little girl of six. being too small
to be left at home alone, went along. But here
comes the cream OF my whole story.
The President who has been present at every
meeting during the year, and whose husband
getting started before daylight, these short
days, and returning home in the evening.
The Senior Vice President and her husband,
who lost leg in the service, come IL mi les.
One woman, 90 years of age, comes SIX miles on
horseback, aud came in the storm that day and
staid TO the Campfire.
Another woman comes on horseback with
two children, and so on. Others come less
distances, but all have to make an effort. The
children are left in the ante-rOom.
The Corps was found in good condition,
much better than some older Corps visited.
Only one of them had ever been i'm a Corps
before and then only three or four times, long
ago.
1t seems to me too much cannot be said in
COMMUNICATION of that faithful band of workers,
SO far from all means of instruction. so loyal
and heroic. 1t is in just such communities
that Uncle Sam " will find his best recruits,
il he needs them.
Mrs. Comstock gave them little talk in the
evening 1t was the first open meeting they
had ever held, and they all enjoyed it. She
describes the ride of three miles home, that
evening, as 'inky blackness."
Press Correspondent.
DEPARTMENT OF NEBRASKA.
DEAR TRIBUNE: AN interesting feature of
the joint installation of Robert Anderson Post
and Corps York, Neb., was the display of q
beautiful red, white and blue bed quilt, ar
ranged in the form of the American flag. made
entirely by our honored Army Nurse Juliet
q. Howe. who. on account of her lameness, was
unable to be present. ,es.1
Mrs. Howe is one of the oldest and most