The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-09-13
In Memorial Day Order, 1900, the fol-

| In Memorial lay of0ef, lJUu, the 1Ol-
! lowing was promulgated:
Give to this day all its legitimate
| work; do not let it be recorded that "a
beautiful wreath, choice cross of flow
ers was placed upon the grave of de-
| ceased sister and the only record that
Il soldiers grave WAS decorated, the bare
numerical fact. Three hundred and sixty
four other days of the year can be given
| to the decoration of graves other than
those for whom this day was created. Let
| the only exception he the graves of orr
loved Army Nurses. for by their unSclfsh,
| brave deeds on battlciields and i'll hos
pitfalls they have earned the right TO this
honored distinction
This paragraph called forth many OK
pressions of approval frcm members Of
the Grand Army and also from the Wom-
ans Relief Corps.
Il heartily approve Of the graves of
deceased members being decorated. l
heartily approve Of the graves OF the
young heroes of the Spanish-American
war being decorated; but l do protest
against il being done on May 80, the day
set apart for the fullest possible express
sion Of regard and grateful affection TO the
memory of those who. by the cost of life.
secured the priceless blessings of national
power, progress and unity. Members of
the Woman's Relief Corps, it lies in your
power to keep this day sacred TO the menu
DRY Of those for whom it was set aside,
The sentiments of the National Presi-
dent were heartily and enthusiastically
approved by the Convention.
Mrs. Dodge spoke feclingly of the death
of Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer, of Pennsyl-
vania. seventh National President, who
passed away Feb. >. 1900, and Mrs.
Sarah ]. Martin, of Missouri, 10Th Ma
tional President, who entered into rest
April 3. 1900. Also. Mrs. Mary ii. Shep-
n
tary. who was separated frcm Mrs. Mar
tin by only n few weeks. Memorial SER
vices were held for them Wednesday
evening at 5 o'clock, in Central Music
Hall.
All Of the recommendations of the Ma
tional President, II in number, were APP
proved by the Convention, except that
looking to the union of the Woman's Re
lief Corps and the Ladies of the Grand
Army Of the Republic. This caused n
wOrdy discussion, and such warmth OF
feeling was shown that the matter, on
motion, was dropped and all reference to
it, except the bare fact of rejection, or
dered eliminated from the proceedings.
REPORT OF NATIONAL SECRETARY.
The National Secretary, Charlotte E.
Wright, reported that the w. II. G. shows
a membership of 115,436 in good standing
and 1891 Corps reporting. There We're
35 Departments, 90 Detached Corps in
good standing and II delinquent, making
81 Detached Corps in all. Eight of these
deIinquents have been reinstated and four
disbanded.
She also reported that all the Detached
Corps are in good standing. Ohio has the
largest number of Corps, 2J4, but MaSsa-
chusetts has the largest membership, H.
l62 being in good standing in the Bay
State Department. Massachusetts is the
richest Department, also, with S14,413 in
her general fund and S11 POI in her relief
fund. Illinois comes next, with Sll, I96
in the general and S4,642 in the relief
fund. In the last fiscal year the Won
ans Relief Corps has expended S43,921 In
cash in relief work, and S46,157 in other
than cash, besides turning over to Posts
of the q. A. r. S333, III, making total
Of SiZ3, 500 expended during the year. The
total amount expended for relief since the
organization IS years ago reached the i'm
mense sum Of $2,024,GSS.53.
REPORT OF NATIONAL TREASURER.
The report of the National Treasurer
Isabelle r. Bagley shows that every De
partment and every Detached Corps had
settled in full its supply account for the
year ending June 80, 1860, a record that
has now been made for four successive
years, rejecting notable credit to the busl-
ness uuInHCulIOuS VI MIS- bd5Its anu tut
whole National organization. Mrs. Bag
ley reported an unprecedented general
fund of $16,JI64G, and made severa! rec
concentrations along economic lones looking
to the reduction OF expenses to the Corps
and Departments in the transactions with
the National, all Of which were adopted.
REPORT or NATIONAL CHAPLAIN.
Mrs. Mary NJ. Brown, the National Chap
lain, reported that 32I $40 soldiers graves
were decorated on Memorial Day, 1900,
and that 233, 2SS children engaged with
the members of the Relief Corps and
Grand Army in the sacred observance Of
the day. The sum Of $9S624 was CON
tributed by the Corps for the purchase
of flowers to decorate the graves of those
who "rest where they wearied, and sleep
Speaking of the lack Of flowers, she
says:
In one instance, where flowers were
not available, paper flowers for three hun
drca graves were made for our boys IN
blue. There have been monuments erect
ed AID dedicated in many Departments,
with special services for the unknown
dead, thus showing that none have been
forgotten"
Mrs. Brown urged that the children be
interested in the loving iabors Of the day.
NATIONAL INSPECTOR REPORT.
Tho National Inspector, Mrs. Melissa
Caylor, Indiana, notes with commendablc
pride that every Department reports per-
feet harmony existing between the Grand
Army of the Republic and the Woman's
Relief Corps, and also makes the appnll-
ing statement that of 81 reports received
from Department Inspectors, only IA were
filed out correctly.
The National Instituting ard Installing
Officer, Abbie a. Adams, Nebraska, re-
ports that-
There have been "a Corps organized
during the year. with an aggregate of
1913. OF these, two are detached Corps:
Bartlesville, of Indian Territory, and Gen.
Terry, of North Carolina.
I'm numbers Of Corps instituted and of
charter members, Kansas and Missouri
are banner Departments, but all have
been conscientious In their efforts"
REPORTS OF OTHER NATIONAL OFFICERS.
The report CT the Patriotic Instructor,
Alice G. Bardwell, Minnesota, is full of
inspiration. Many OF the States are dis
tricted for The patriotic work, which is
being done in a thoroughly practical man
ner. Many State Legislatures have
passed laws requiring the display of the
flag on the school houses during school
hours. In some of the Southern States
Old Glory flies above the school houses.
Many thousands of schools observe all the
National holidays and the birthday ami
versaries Of men of National military re-
nown. Memorial Day is everywhere OBJ
served. She recommends that April 6 be