The Portland daily press., 1896-02-19

Total, So, 1927. 6s
There were expended for relief last year
about $4,000 of which Bosworth Post paid
$513.55, Thatcher Post furnishes no account
of money paid out for relief. Bath Post paid
$163 IS; Bangor Post paid $154.O0; Augusta
paid $91.00; Lewiston, $50.
The consolidated report to National Quar-
| termaster General is as follows:
Cash on hand last report, S19, T73 4s
Receievd from all sources, II, S44. 04
Total, $50, 617. 80
Cash balance and Post fund S23, 902. los
Cash balance in relief fund. 6,464 0l
Market value of real estate, 80, 031. 38
Cash invested in flags, furniture So ISL Is
Total value Post property, $99,55s. Sc
Mrs. NTilIett's Address.
The president of the Woman's Relief
Corps read an admirable address. A few
brief extracts Of which follow:
1t is with pleasure that look into your
faces and bid you cordial welcome to
our twelfth annual convention.
One year ago, when I accepted this
| high and honorable position, it was with
a firm reliance upon Divine assistance,
and an assurance of the hearty support
and corporation of every officer and
member Of this Department.. 1 heartily
| appreciated the expression of your conf
dence in my ability to serve you in this
capacity, but in assuming the duties
placed in my hands by the unanimous
vote of the convention there came with
them heavy weight OF responsibility,
because of inexperienoe in departmo
work fully realizing that in the faithful
discharge of my sacred obligation, alone
rested the honor. Twelve years ago, here
in your beautiful city small band of
devoted women met and organized a
National Woman's Relief Corps. Depart
ment of Maine, Auxiliary to the Grand
Army of the Republic. From this small
beginning we now number over two
thousand loyal and patriotic women. 1t
Is something almost marvellous that,
pulling against the tide as we have ever
been obliged to do on account of a rival
organization. we have attained such q
growth in this short space of time but
when we consider the object for which we
are striking, its aims and Durpog es, and
the broad national platform upon which
we stand, there is little cause for surprise
that we number among our members SO
many of the brightest and best Of the
daughters Of the Pine Tree State"
MAINE RELIEF CORPS HOME.
Our department., three years ago, en-
listed in the work of establishing Home
for poor and needy veterans and their de-
pendent ones.
We had hoped to see this good word
completed. but from no fault of our own
Relief Corps, the work is not SO far ad-
vanced as we anticipated, and sincerely
believe in my heart. that the state Of
Maine, in the year 1895, would have made
a generous appropriation for the Home"
for aged and enfeebled veterans an d
their dependent ones, had not undue in
6uenoe been brought to bear upon the
soldier element, in the House of Repre-
seDtatives, by the machinations of the de-
tenders of our rival organization and a
few designing politicians
Ladies pray earnestly and INCREASINGLY
that the legislature of 1897, Nay be COM
posed of men, who will recon mend an
appropriation for much needed State
Soldiers Home, in preference to an ele.
CANT SIS, 900 piggery; that they may be
imbusd with sufficient patriotism to re-
member first, the old soldier whose I'M
daunted courage and heor.o efforts made
it possible for them to have country
and a seat in its legislatiev halls.
Since the legislature refused to make
An appropriation. our Heavenly Father
has put it into the hearts Of many
patriotic and benevolent people to come
for ward with funds sufficient to provide
for few only, of the many who have APP
piled and should be cared for in a State
Home. The "Home Board' has managed
everything with the closest economy, and
are constantly devising plans to carry on
the work and make the Home as attrac-
tive as possible to its inmates.
The outside Of the buildings have been
painted and whitewashed, and each room
inside, has been newly painted and
papered. The rooms, all but two have
been prettily furnished by our corps, who
take so much interest in the work, and
one or two benevolent people, who have
respect for the soldier and an apprecia-
ton of what his services stand for.
In fact. we have prospered beyond our
most sanguine expectations, after, what
our sister organization, termed "our de-
feat" and exaulting boosted, both in
public and private over it. 1.-THE wheels
of Justice move slowly"
1 trust that in a few years, we shall