The National tribune., 1897-09-02
THE RELIEF CORPS
Doings of Fifteenth National
Convention.

Chosen National President-Susan l.. Az
kins Senior vice-President.
The opening hour of the 18th National Con
vention, W.RC.. was most interesting in'
doors were opened and there were many 'isit'
ors in attendance.
When National President Agnes Hit TOOK
M the gavel, beautiful scene presented Itself
The hall is a semi circle with gallery, ana Oh
the platform pipe organ. On one side OF the
platform set among clustering palms, were Two
beautiful school banners, gilt-trimmed ana
fringed
The banner in red bore the words, Teach
Patriotism in the Schools; the other. In plne,
the words. "One Country, One Language, ohe
Flag" Flowers were on the several tables anu
vases of flowers set along the footlights.
After the PRAYER by National Chaplain Alice
Picklcr and singing of the Relief Corps ny NM
bright Der Our Country" the usual an
nouncrments were made and when the officers
and Aids were all in their places Delegation
from the Women's Ciiizens Committee was
announced and escorted to the platform by
the Reception Committee.
These officers. headed by Mrs. Linda de X.
Fulton, Chairman, were introduced, when Mrs.
Fulton, in her welcome address, gave an inter
probation OF the Grand Army and Keller 1orps
motto, Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty.
Mrs Fulton was followed by Mrs. Jewett
Chairman of the Reception Committee and
wife of the Mayor. who extended to all the
freedom OF the city; Also by Mrs. benjamin
Williams Nice-Presdent of the committee ana
President of the Woman's Educational Union
Mrs. Fulton presented bouquet of Jacqne-
minot roses 10 the National President, on be-
half of the Women's Citizens Committee
Mrs. Atkins Chairman of the Committee on
a., "A ,har nf % IL
presented huge bunch of roses from the two
Relief Corps of Buffalo preceded by an eloquent
little speech The visitors retired TO the tune
of Marching Through Georgia., While mem
bers standing gave the flag salute. linen ali
the National officers were introduced.
Past National Presidents in attendance were
introduced in order of seniority of service.
The National President then read her ad-
dress. which was referred 10 committee.
The priucipal reports submitted to Convention
were given in The NATIONAL TRIBUNE OF last
week.
PATRIOTIC TEACHING.
National Chaplain Alice NJ. A. Picker.
Franklin. S. d., presented a tabulsted report
showing the number of Corps and members,
wRC, participating in the services of Me-
mortal Day, 1897 to have been 2,2SS Corps !;
membership of 1929; of children taking part
in Memorial services. 307 3-S; number of SOL
diers' gravel decorated, eos, 096; total amount
expended for Memorial Day purposes, Sl3,-
95S75.
National Counselor Lizabeth A. Turner re-
ported 10 cases presented to her for her decision
by National President Agnes Hit. all pertain
ing TO the technical work of the Order.
National Inspector Julia q. Sine made vol
luminous and tabulated report of the inspection
work of the Woman's Relief Corps in the several
Departments and in detached Corps. Her prin-
cipal recommendation was that the sum allowed
the National President for the personal ex-
penses OF her Office be increased from $500 to
$500 in order that she mas visit Departments
and Corps to the West and South for the pur-
pose of imparting instructions, from which, be-
cause of their location, they have been largely
debarred.
National Institutine and Installing Officer
Sarah d. Winans, Toledo O., gave the follow
ing estimates, CLEANED from consolidated re-
ports: Department Corps Instituted, l39, with
. combined charter membership OF 2,sOi; de-
tsched Corps organized, 9; charter member
ship, Sc; total number of Corps Instituted,
IzI; total charter membership, $50.
Departments showing the greatest gains are
as follows: New York leads with Is Corps and
$40 charter members; Michigan, ID Corps and
2s2 charter members; Pennsylvania. - Corps
and 266 charter members; Ohio, 9 Corps and
205 charter members Alaska now has
O0rps auxiliary 10 W u. III. oeNaro Osl
National Senior Aid Melissa Caylor upon
entering her Office wrote her Assistant Aids
rrging them to a united recruiting service in
their respective Jurisdictions on behalf of the
WR.C., and reported q ready response from
many.
From this report il was learned that the flag
salute had been introduced into the Reform
School, Whittier, Cal, and into the schools OF
13l towns OF New Hampshire, where also the
nag floats over every schoolhouse.
INTERESTING REPORTS.
Flo Jamison Miller, Chairman of Commit
tee OH Patriotic Teaching, reported that the
Departments of California. Connecticut ILL
nois, Indiana. Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota Missouri, Nebraska, New Hamp-
shire. New Jersey, Oregon, Ohio, Pennsy lvania,
Potomac, Rhode Island, South Dakota. Ten
Dessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin were encour.
aged by the increased use Of the flag salute in
& public schools. and OF the introduction of the
Declaration of Independence Chart and Patri-
otto Primer i3to many.
In California The WR.C. had had marked
success in establishing Citizens Sunday with
special sermons aud patriotic exercises in keep.
ing with the day. In Los Angeles the schools
observe % eratorial holidays, aud both teach
ers and pupils are required TO mcmorize :" Red,
White and Blue"
Iowa were specially commended. The Depart
ment Commander of Michigan, GAR, had
commended w &c. work IN General Orders. Ia
Minnesota the State Board of Education en-
ployed lecturer on patriotism, who spoke at
teachers institutes.
Ia Potomac there WAS a flag over each of the
l23 schools in the District, and the flag salute
was given weekly or monthly in half of them
Oregon received special mention fdr interest
ing school Sureriuiendents. Massachusetts,
Illinois. New York. OHIO. Connecticut, and
Indiana have special mention.
A National instructor is recommended and
. united work .or the revision of school his
tories.
GREETINGS TO PAST pREsfDESTs
On motion of Kate b. Sherwood, seconded
BY Lizabe;h A. Turner greetings were sent to
oil Past National Presidents, and special greet
ing of love and affection to the first National
President L. Florence Barker Maiden. Mass.
very seriously i'll at her home. Mrs. Sherwood
was Secretary aud Mrs. Turner Treasurer at
the organizing Convention, Denver, July 1889
when Mrs. Barker Was elected National presi-
dent.
Souvenir badges from the Citizens Commit.
tee were distributed; these were blue satin
with pin bearing the word Buffalo," from
which WAS suspended star the center Of which
was the monogram w. R.c.," encirced By tn,
words '3lst National Encampment. GAR
These were ompanied by the Convention
badge w re, of yellow satin, bearing a Dor
trait of Gen. Lew Wallace and the followin,
quotation from Ben Ifur": Perfect live
ara the treasures of God" Gen. Wallace
autograph Was on the badge.
After routine business delightful lunch wa