Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-26
MORE THAN 40 YEARS
HAS THE MICHIGAN STATE ASS0-
CITATION EXISTED.
Annual Dinner at Rauscher's Tonight
lions In It's History.

The annual dinner Of the Michigan State
Association will take place this evening at
Rauscher's. The arrangements are COM
plete and the Indications are that It will be
one of the pleasantest functions in the his
tory of the organization.
Edward B. Moore. assistant commissioner
of patents, who is now president of the as
ISOLATION. will occupy the chair. The entire
Michigan delegation in Congress and many
others will be present.
The Michigan State Association Is one Of
the oldest and most successful of the
several state organizations in Washing
ton and has long and interesting history.
There was small colony Of Michigan men
in Washington before the admission of the
territory as a state. Gen. Lewis Cass had
been summoned by Andrew Jackson to his
cabinet Secretary of War in 1881, and
this circumstance led to the selection OF
several men from the territory for posi-
tons in the Washington departments. While
Gen. Cass was in the cabinet his hospitable
home-now q part of the Arlington Hotel
was the scene Of several gatherings Of the
few Michigan men here, as 1t was OF many
assemblages of the society leaders of the
then struggling and struggling capital OF
the republic.
Last Delegate in Congress.
The last delegate in Congress from the
territory of Michigan, Gen. George w.
Jones. who passed away only few years
ago and was frequently a visitor at the an
nual dinners of the association, gave many
interesting accounts of the attractiveness
and even splendor of the entertainments
given by Michigan's first cabinet officer. 1t
was, however not until long afterward that
the members of the Michigan colony In
Washington effected an organization, and
then 1t was what might be called war
measure
In 1861 the Michigan people then residents
In Washington organized what was called
the Michigan Soldiers Relief Association.
1t came into existence with temporary
offices May II, 1861 but was not formally
organized and permanently differed until
November of the same year. Its object was
to afford relief for sick and wounded SOL
diers from Michigan In and about Wash
ington.
Some of It's First Officers.
Among Its original officers were James
NJ. Edmunds, president, and Zebina Moses,
treasurer. DR.. Joseph Tunnicliff and Mr.
Moses organized systematic and thorough
methods Of relief. The association estab-
lished a bureau Of Information for soldiers
at the front, and members of the society
Systematically visited the hospitals in and
near Washington in search of Michigan
soldiers.
Michigan women were especially faith
full as nurses at the front In 1868 and
1864 a paper called the Michigan Camp
Journal, established and edited by Lieu
tenants Burch and Holden and Harry H.
Smith of the 26th Michigan Infantry, was
an important factor in aiding this work by
timely publications. In connection with the
Michigan ASSOCIATE ton an Industrial school
was put in operation, and children Of con-
traband negroes and refugees from Mary
land and Virginia were instructed in the
work of sewing, making garments, ETC., for
the soldiers at the front.
Was a Stimulating Force.
The Soldiers Relief Association was never
merged in any other organization; but, be-
ing the first successful association Of Mich
igan men in Washington, 1t was the stimu-
lating force that led to the organization Of
the present Michigan State Association,
now forty years old. At times the associa-
ton has been partisan organization, but
about fifteen years ago 1t abandoned this
feature. Its main purpose has always been
social, and many pleasant entertainments
have been given. 1t generally celebrates
dinner.
The following are the surviving presi-
dents Of the Michigan State Association:
Henry Sherwood. 1873: Geo. G. Maynard.
1879; Edward NJ Marble, 1880: Zebna Mo-
ses, 1882; BENZ. A. Harlan, 1884; Charles
P. Lincoln 1850; Richard w. Tyler 1891;
William B. Thompson, 1892; Frank H. Hos
ford, 1894; William ]. MCGEE, 1895; Gen.
o. B. Wilcox, 1896; Charles Moore, 1899;
Col E. g. Pierce, 1900; Henry M. Rose,
1901; Alex Grant 1902; Ed. B. Moore, 1903