The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-29
RELIEF CORPS
Sixteenth Annual Convention
Held in Columbia Hall.

The 18th annual convention OF the
Rhode Island department, woman's Relief
Corps, opened this morning in Columbia
hall, corner of Weybosset and Richmond
streets. with sessions at 1890 and
o'clock.
The convention hall was profusely deco
rated for the occasion with the stars and
stripes and several hundred delegates
were in attendance. including a number
OF the national officers. the wives OF
prominent officers OF the q. A. r., who
are here in attendance upon the annual
convention OF the G.. A. r., which was
also held today.
The convention was formally called to
order this morning by department presi-
dent Mrs. Hattie Ford who presided with
much dignity over the proceedings.
After the convention was called to
order the official visitors were cordially
welcomed. They were Mrs. Lodusky ].
Taylor, national president Of the Womans
Relief Corps
Also Mrs Stewart. wife of Commander
in-Chief Stewart.
others present were National Inspector
Mrs L. s. Wadsworth, National Special
Aid Mrs. Martha Allen.
Mrs Dorcas Lyman, president OF the
Massachusetts department w. II. c.,
Mrs. Alice Goddard. inspector OF ths
Massachusetts, department, w. X. G, Mrs.
Helen j. Clarke OF Fall River, command
er OF country associations.
After the fraternal welcomes were over
Past Department Patriotic Instructor
Mrs. Mary J. Il. Clarke OF Westerly NOV
ed that the convention be formally open
ed with the singing OF Nearer, My God,
to Thee" In commemoration OF the fact
that today celebrated the anniversary OF
the birth OF President Mckinley.
After this came the flag salute accom-
panied with an original poem by Depart
ment Chaplin Mrs. Emma Carey.
The Star Spangled Banner was then
| sung Mrs. Wheaton leading.
The annual address Of the president,
| Mrs Ford, was next I'm order. This was a
| most comprehensive and admirable re-
sumo OF general work OF the w. r. c. OF
Rhode Island during the past year.
The report OF the Relief work was es-
| pecially interesting and the president
stated that s754. i'm cash had been dis
| pensed and $21S in relief OF various forms
| other than cash.
The president also made a number of
recommendations, among them being the
| following
First. that weaker corps have instruc-
| ritualistic work.
| Second. that the per capita tax remain
| the same
Third, that the salaries OF the secretary
| and treasurer remain the same.
| A number of other minor recommends
| tions were made. all OF which were acted
| upon during the afternoon.
| At the close Of the presidents address
| the secretary, Mrs. Emily Hunter. pre-
sented the retiring department president.
| Mrs Ford, with a beautiful gold watch
| on behalf OF the convention. Mrs Ford
! responded in a graceful and feeling man
ner.
Next came the annual report OF the
| secretary and at its close the secretary
presented the president with her own
personal offering OF regard, a handsome
| gold ring
| In her felcitous response tho president
added that she did not propose to be out
| done by the secretary She therefore
retalated I'm a most happ ymanner and
| presented the secretary with fine gold
| pen and holder.
| After this came tho report OF the treas
| urer Mrs Annie Budlong. which showed
receipts OF the past year 90 have been
| s77e. and expenses S6i5. AZ the conclu-
sion OF this report the president extend
ed the same token OF appreciation as she
| had done TO the secretary, viz. the gift
| OF n gold pen and holder.
| The next report was that OF the senior
| vice department president Mrs Jessie
| A. Mccartney, after which Mrs Ford
| presented the national president. Mrs
| TAYLOR. Mrs. Taylor responded with a
| fine speech which. of course. was exactly
| what was desired by her constituents
| Past Department President Mrs Mary
| NJ Brown then gracefully presented Mrs
George L. Smith OF Darlington as 2
loyal woman"