Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-14
/ NATIONAL W. R. c.
Eighteenth Annual Meeting at
Odd Fellows Hail..
Many Delegates in Attendance to
Listen to Usual Reports.
Enjoyable Reception and Entertain.
ment in the Evening.


delegates were present coming from all
parts of the State. The following
officers We're present when the conven-
ton was called to order: President,
Sarah ]. Ross. Newport: senior vice
president, Azuba o. BagIey. Lewiston:
treasurer. Rose b. Graham. Cumber-
land Mills: chaplain Rose p. Holt,
Fairfield; inspector. Cora l.. Parker,
Skowhegan: counsellor Hattie c.
Sprague, Bangor; l. and /. official, Ella
n. Jordan, Bethel: patriotic in
structor. Jennie Pierce Whitney, Cor
ham; department executive board
| Ella Jordan Mason, chairman, Bidde-
ford. Sarah f.. Putnam, Dixfield. Jen-
ME l.. Day, GOrham. Laura +. Stevens,
Portland, liberia T.. Burnham, Bethel
The junior vice-president, Annie l..
Stiles of Springvale. and the secretary,
Emma l.. Shaw of Newport. We're alb
sent, being seriously i'll at their homes.
Mrs. Sarah f. Putnam of Dixfield was
| chosen secretary pro tenn, ard Addie
Viola Grant of Biddeford assistant
| Sc cretary. The reports show that the
Maine department now has about 1000
members. In 1901, over $500 was ex-
pended in relief work. The national
body now has 144, 900 members and in the
IS years since it's organization has paid
| 81, 1S7,sS3 for charitable purposes. It's
amount thus paid out in 1901 was $780,
192 and it has $4,000 in the treasury.
The condition and work of the depart
ment of Maine are well shown in the
report of the president, Mrs. Sarah j.
Ross of Newport. This report is pub
lished below in full:
Officers and members of the eighteenth
annual Convention. Department OF
Maine w. X. c.:
1t is my privilege and pleasure to vel
come YOU to the eighteenth annual SEES
sion of the Woman's Relief Corps. de-
partment of Maine. where we are as
sembed to render an account of duties
performed and to take into considera :
ton the interests of our order. hoping
that each member present has come i'm
bued with feelings of Kindness and for
bearance.
May the true spirit of fraternity abide
with us, may our deliberations be guided
by charity and love, and our completed
work characterized by the seal of wisdom
and loyalty. To the members who are de-
MED the pleasure of attending convention
we extend warm fraternal greetings.
AS the reports of our faithful officers
are read and considered / trust all will
be satisfied that each one, according to
her opportunities. has done her best that
there are few mistakes recorded and no
blot upon the pages in the history of
our loved department for the past year
The gain in, membership has not been
large. but that we have gained is worthy
of note.
Number of members Jan. /, 1901. 1852
Number of members Jan. I. 1902. 1926
Net gain, a
The department secretary's report will
give you the details.
Geo. G. Davis Corps, No So of Brooks.
surrendered it's charter in September
during my absence at national conven-
ton. / have failed to receive reply to my
| many letters to the corps president. | do
not think that this corps voted according
to rules and regulations to surrender its
charter. As far as | can ascertain tn.
only plea was lack of interest by the
members The charter. rituals. II off,
GERS badges membership badges. > bur-
ial and memorial service books. l corps
service book and red book have been
returned. Neither its cash book. ledger.
Journal, receipt or order book have beer
sent. The department cannot issue trans
fer or discharge cards, it being necessary
for the department secretary 10 have the
books in order that she may verify the
claims of the members for such cards.
As usual, our finances have been very
important factor in the work of the de-
partment during the past year. aud it
has been the constant endeavor of this
administration, as ii has been with our
predecessors, TO discharge all official du-
ties in a becoming manner, and still keep
our expenditures at the lowest possible
figures consistent with efficient work.
The greatest amount expended for on ,
purpose was for the printing of depart
ment journals: but postage, other neces-
Sary printing. and travelling expenses
form no small item of general expenses
] therefore make recommended ton No l.
That the cost of printing and compiling
the journals of this convention shall not
exceed S105.
Recommendation No .: That no money
be transferred from the general fund to
the department relief fund by this con
yentiou.
Notwithstanding the fact that the per
capita tax paid by department to nation
al has been increased one-half cent per
member each quarter, | make recommen-
dation No. >: That the per capita tax to
department. nine cents each quarter, re-
main the same for the year 1902.
The treasurer's report will show the
amounts in our general and relief funds
our receipts and disbursements. with an
itemized account of all supplies on hand
When | entered upon the duties of de-
partment president. it was with n full
determination To share the burdens of
all, and so far as | could to make for
peace and harmony; and 50 when depart
ment postage reads like great sum,
please read as much extra fraternitv.
charity and loyalty. The strength of the.
department is NOT alone measured by its
members but by its depth OF harmony
as well, and in this respect the depart
ment has had no falling away. The cor
Jurisprudence of this year has been large.
I have answered, to the best of my abb
| ity, all letters seeking information. al
though compare lively few have been re-
ceiyed that could not have been answered
by consulting rules and reg ulations. The
governing laws of our order have become
90 clearly defined that corps are learning
| to settle matters for themselves in a
more intelligent manner instead of referr-
| ing to department president as In former
years. Over so letters and postal cards
| have been written from these headquar-
tiers; many of them letters OF kindly adj
vice, concerning corps differences i'm mat
| ters of greater or less Importance. and
their kindly reception and acceptance has
been one of the marked and lovely ex-
periences of the year. great deal of
burden bearing and fruits of the spirit
! can be called forth through the medium
of letter writing. a free use of pen. ink
and postage even though one must work
nights and Sundays, Is time and money
we'll expended. ] have issued seven gen
| eral orders. one special circular of in
structions to corps presidents. secretaries
| and treasurers. one circular letter of in
| structons to assistant department IL
| spectors have approved one circular let
| ter issued by, the department patriotic
| instructor and one by the instituting and
| installing officer to posts not having corps
and granted Il dispensations. One de
partmeDt roster has been issued.
| During the past year one of the great
| est source of pleasure has been my