Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-09-01
WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS.
Testimonial Project for Mrs. WitEen
myer Discouraged.


Buffalo. Y. Y, Aug. 26-The fifteenth
annual convention of the Woman's Relief
corps of the United STATES was called to
order this morning by the national presi-
dent, Agnes Hit of Indianapolis After
the usual exercises in accordance with the
ritual the president proceeded to deliver
her annual address, which was largely
made up of recommendations concerning
changes III the rules and regulations, rit-
ual and other details of the order.
In the early part of her address the
president threw cold water upon the prop
Wittenmyer, the American Florence
Nightingale Upon this point Mrs. Hit
said:
In the month of May a circular was sent
to the national headquarters for approval,
signed by three members of the department
of PENNSYLVANIA, two members of the WOm-
ans Relief Corps home board and the chair
man CT the national executive board, contain
ing az appeal to the members of our order
for contributions to a birthday testimonial
to cur past national president, Mrs. Witten-
myer. Mrs Wittenmyer's services during
the Civil war in hospitals and camps for the
alienation of our suffering soldiers-thou-
sands of suffering soldiers being provided
with good food through her success in estab-
fishing special diet kitchens-her work for
army nurses III procuring pensions, and her
untiring efforts in behalf of the National
Woman's Relief Corps home, all call for our
highest Communications, and no testimonial
could be more Worthily bestowed Corps
doubtless have responded as we'll as they
could considering the stringency of the
times and the many demands upon their
treasures. But the piteouS appeals that
have come to us since from two widows of
soldiers, one asking for $500 and the other
for 5000 TO pay the mortgages off their homes,
and our Inability to respond leads us to make
this recommendation: That hereafter
such appeal, however meritOriOuS, shall be
sent out unless it emanates from national
headquarters through the national president,
with the advice of the National Council
I,s1n no, nte1x Ort
show a loss of members in good standing"
it will also show in the aggregate gain of
twenty corps and over 1000 members max
ing in all 522S corps and 142, SS5 members.
However, for the last two years the order,
while holding its own, has not increased as
it should There are many reasons for this,
one being the financial depression through
out the country
For number of years resolutions have
come to the national convention asking that
the comrades OF the Grand Army of the Re-
public be admitted to membership in our
order. Considering that we owe our exist
ence to the Grand Army of the Republic and
that the Sons of Veterans and all other al
lied societies admit them to honorary mem
bershlp, it seems only right that we should
extend to them the welcoming hand. In
order that we may enter into this new line
OF thought in dignited, considerate man.
ner, l offer this recommendation: That the
following additions be made to the rules and
regulations:
corps may admit to associate member
ship any member of the Grand Army of the
Republic. An associate member shall be adj
m1tted when proposed by member of the
corps who shall vouch for his eligibility and
elected by a majority rising vote of men,
bers present and voting. After taking the
obligation of associate members they shall
receive the passwords. Associate members
may be present at any business session, but
snail not be entitled to vote at any time
and shall not be allowed to enter upon any
discussion tha unless invited to do 50 by vote
elected and obligated at department of ma
tional conventions
The Fifth Day.
Buffalo, n Y. Aug. 27.-The second
days session of the Grand Army en-
campment was opened at 9:15 o'clock this
morning. Gen. Clarkson presided. The
session, like that Of yesterday, was
strictly private. Guards with muskets
were at the doors and only G. A. r. lnen
with the countersign were admitted The
election of officers from senior vice-com-
mander down was taken up under the
order of business.
Alfred Lyth of Bidwell- Wilkeson post
of Buffalo was unanimously elected
senior vice-commander. Mai II. J.
Smith of his post presented his name
to the convention. The nomination was
seconded by Col Shaw. commander of
the department of New York The, adj
jutant-general was instructed to cast the
vote OF the encamDment for MR. LYth,
When the nominations for junior vice
ommander-in-ehief had been declared
closed, Congressman Picker, South Da-
kota, who was chairman of the commit
tee on pensions at the last Congress, en-