The National tribune., 1901-10-03
LADIES OF THE GAR.
Proceedings of the 18th National Con-
vention Held in Cleveland.

The Ladies Of the Grand Army of the
Republic opened their 10Th Annual Con
vention Sept II, in the Y. NJ. G. A. Audi
forum in Cleveland, The platform was
richly set with palms and cut flowers,
and the profuse decorations were all in
patriotic colors, the flag predominating.
The Convention was the largest in the
history of the organization, having some
800 accredited delegates. Among their
numbers they are proud to place the name
of Commander-in-C Chief Rassieur, who
joined their ranks and was obligated a
year ago in Chicago. This accession to
their ranks has given their Order Il Won
derful impetus, and they have gained some
1000 new members during the past year.
The Convention was called to order at
1915, and the National President, Mrs.
Eta Lee Toby, appointed the Convention
| Committee. Mrs. Maria Z. Cahoon, of
Cleveland, who was Chairman of the Com
mittee on Ladies of the g. A. r., then
delivered an eloquent address of welcome,
which was fittingly responded to by the
National President.
The National President then called her
Staff to the platform and introduced them
personally to the Convention, with a
CHEEKY word for each. 1t has been a re-
markably harmonious year, and only the
kindliest feeling exists in Mrs. Toby's
official family, which is as follows:
Secretary, Olive l. Allison, Richmond,
Ind; Treasurer, Annie Sage, Dayton, o.;
s: Y; President, Julia A. Ellis; J. V.
President, Mary A. Jameson, Michigan;
Chaplain, Lizzie Garvin, New Jersey;
Counselor, DR.. Julia P. Shade, Pennsyl:
vania.
The National President then delivered
her annual address, which was in part
as follows:
Laying great stress on the fact that
this the only nnfrintip cOcintv which
perpetuates by record the names and
kinship of the women of America to the
heroes of the civil war, and realizing how
much we owe to this fact, we have en-
deavored to impress it upon the minds of
the veterans, and an increased interest
in the Order has been the result as many
who had formerly stood aloof have taken
our obligation and the increase in our
membership has been phenomenal.
THE heroic example of the Commander
in-Chief, Leo Rassieur, who has at all
times proved true to the obliga-
ton taken one year ago, with mem
bers yying with each other in their eff
forts to help and encourage the aged and
distressed, to promote the education of
the young in loyalty to our flag and a
purer patriotism, endeavoring to carry
sunshine into the homes and happiness
into the hearts of our veterans and their
dependent ones, truly we have cause for
great thankfulness.
Il have learned that our Order con-
tains grand women, women who have
stood and overcome, whose keen percep-
tions enable them to catch and hold at
its dawning everything that promises to
be of benefit to the Order. They have
learned by experience that it is not best
to go forth to meet the gathering storm,
or to anticipate the night hawks cry, but
rather to linger in the beauty and fra
GRANGE of the delightful work which is
being accomplished and to stand out in
full radiance of the bright hopes for the
future, such as the earnest, active women
of the Ladies of the G.. A. II. have.
Il have visited In 10 States, attending
nine Department Conventions, installing
the officers in five Departments and three |
Circles, receiving unfailing courtesy and |
love from every sister, with many tokens
of appreciation, for which / am placed |
under deep obligations and can only re-
pleasure of extending greetings to three |
Department Encampments and was
shown special respect, many comrades |
asking that / obligate them.
Would that | could mention all the |
work of our Order in regard to the Homes |
Nearly every State supports a Home, |
either for veterans and their wives or the |
widows of veterans.
I'm conclusion l would say all has not |
been accomplished that ! had planned, |
gaining but two Circles under National |
jurisdiction and one Department There |
have been many new Circles added to |
the Departments, with a wonderful in
crease in membership everywhere. l |
have done what i could, fully realizing |
whatever success has come to us is due |
to the faithful, earnest efforts of my SIS |
tiers, and l shall carry with me through |
all the years of my life tender memories |
Of the gracious, loving spirit manifested |
to me personally and by letter."
The report Of the National Secretary,
Olive l. Allison, shows that 40 Circles |
were organized during the past year:
Three in Kansas, four in Iowa, two in
Ohio, 10 In Illinois, five in Wisconsin,
two In Missouri, two in Massachusetts,,
five in Oklahoma, two in New York, two |
in Colorado, three in West Virginia, two
in Pennsylvania, three in Minnesota. one
each in Oregon, Salt Lake City and New
Haven, Conn, and two in Michigan,
A new Department was formed in Con
necticut In August, making IS in all.
The gain during the year has been 4,74O.
There are now 1871 members in good
of Grand Army members of 1886.
The report of the National Treasurer,
Mrs. Annie Sage, shows that there has
been expended for relief during the year
1880, and incidentals, S29,951; expend-
ed on the G. A.. r, $3,16S; Soldiers
I1OHleSJ SZSl, SOl0lefs WIDOWS Homes,
1928; soldiers orphans Home, S11S; for
relief other than money, S5,744; on hand
in Circles, $SS,344; in Memorial fund,
SCAT.
The wife of the Mayor, Mrs. Tom l..
johnson, was announced and escorted to
the platform, where she delivered an adj
dress Of welcome in the name of the
Mayor. Mrs. johnson is beautiful wOm-
an, and captured the hearts of the ladies
at once, being applauded to the echo.
Lunch was served the ladies of the G.
a. K. on Thursday and Friday, and it
took on the nature of an informal recep-
ton.
Aside from the business of the Con-
yertion, which was carried on behind
closed doors, the election Of officers was
most important. very pretty fight had
dency, with Mrs. Emma Wall, of Kan
sas; Mrs Maria p. Cahoon, of EIyria,
Ohio, and Mrs. Anna Hall, of West Vir-
ginia, candidates.
There was a spirited contest preceded
by fine nominating speeches. and for sew
eral ballots it was anybody's fight, but
finally resulted In the election Of Mrs.
Emma Wall, of Kansas.
Mrs Wallis home is in the university
town Of Lawrence, Kan. and she is best
liked where she is best known. She has
always been an ardent worker in the in
terests of old soldiers, and is q speaker
of more than State fame. She served
four terms as President of the Depart-
ment of Kansas and came to the National
Convention Endorsed for the high office
she has just won by every G. A. r. or
gauiZatiOn In Kansas and sha hoe haId