Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-03
WoMAN's RELIEF CORPS.
Fifteenth Annual Convention Begins
Election OF officers.

ELECTION OF OmcefS.
At the fifteenth annual convention Of the
womans Relief G6rps, Department of
Potomac. held ipe GRAND Army Hall last
evening, Mrs. Ida E.; Chase, past president
of Lincoln Corps. past national ass slant IN
spector and past department secretary. was
elected president of the Department of the
Potomac Wonan's Relief Corps full
corps of department otficers was also
chosen.
/ 1t is said to be the largest convention of
relief corps women ever held in this de-
partment. The large Lincoln Post hall, the
use Of which was loaned to tire d es Ey the
veterans for convention purposes, was very
handsomely decorated with American flags.
and four color bearers, Mrs. Mary w. 3.
Thatcher and Mrs. Mamie P. Dorsey of
Thomas Corps, Mrs. Helen E. Stone of Lin
coin Corps and Mrs. Florence Hoagland,
Burnside Corps. occupied the flag stations
in the four corners of the hall, acting as
escorts to all guests.
Mrs Rosamond B. Meacham. president OF
the department, called the convention to
order at o'clock. and invited to the plat
form all the past presidents of the depart
ment. They made an imposing array as
they grouped themselves under the flags
back of the presiding officer. Those pres
ent were Mrs. Margaret B. Tew, Mrs. Anna
s. Hamilton. Mrs. George s. Balm, Mrs.
Anna, Peck, Mrs Ida A. Oldroyd. now de-
partment counselor; Mrs. Matilda r.
Sprague and Mrs Annie w. Johnson.
Mrs. Meacham also had around her her
department staff, as follows: Mrs. Helen
Durfee. s. V. P; Miss Maria L. Jordan,
J. v. P; Mrs. Margaret r. Walker, treas
urer: Mrs. Emma S. Ellis, patriotic in
structor; Mrs. Cusick. chairman of the ex-
ecutive board. and her associate members;
Mrs. Matte r. Mcclure department sec
Eliza p. Watson. l. and 1. officer; Mrs.
Corinne Strickland, chaplain, and Mrs.
Isabel Worrell Ball, press correspondent.
Before the convention had really proceed
ed to business the commander-in-chief of
the Grand Army of the Republic, General
John c. Black, and his escort were announc-
ed as in waiting to pay fraternal visit
Escorted by the color bearers and the COM
mittee on courtesies Mrs. Ida ]. Hart, Mrs.
Ida Chase and Mrs. Magee, the distinguish
ed veterans entered the hall, their passage
to the platform being greeted by the waving
of the tiny salute flags of the Relief Corps
and the singing of Rally Round the Flag"
Mrs. Katharine NJ Phillips at the piano.
General Black, who is yet much enfeebled
from his recent Illness, was greeted with
enthusiastic applause wien he handed his
crutches to one of his aides and standing
beside the department president paid
glowing tribute to the men and women of
the war Of the rebellion Short talks were
made by several of the members of the
staff, among whom were G. A. Harmon,
surgeon general. land the national aides,
S. G. Estes H. Bradford, T. M. Tallmadge,
F. d. Stephenson General John A. Halder-
man. A; s. Perham,, Win. A. Grimshaw and
e. B. Payne. Mrs Meacham for the con-
yention, replied to the tribute of the vet
Grams to the relief, corps.
Before retiring each of the distinguished
party was decorated by Mrs Meacham with
ore of her convention badges.
Department Presidents Address.
The address OF HE department president
was review of the work of the year. She
said she had been able to accomplish many
of her ideals through the loyal support of
the whole department staff and declared
that not one had been delinquent during tho
year; that each had responded to every de-
mand made by her 50 that she could report
q gain OF $50 fri the membership, every
corps having increased it's roll of members
some by dozens. 31ss;r
The address was greeted with applause
throughout, and it is said the recommended
ton to ask for q national office meets with
hearty approval.
The Annual Election.
On motion of Mrs. Ball of Lincoln Corps
the convention proceeded to elect its full
complement Of department officers. Mrs.
Mary w. Goundie, president of Lincoln
Corps. placed In nomination Mrs. Ida L.
Chase. past president Of that corps Mrs.
Goundie declared that Mrs. Chase was emil
nently fitted for the high office through long
years of service In corps and department.
She extolled her executive ability and her
womanly qualities,
A surprising demonstration followed the
nomination of Mrs Chase. when two-thirds
of the convention arose in q body 20 second
the nomination. There were personal Sec
onds by Mrs. Johnson. Mrs. Ball AMI sew
eral others. all of whom took occts.ol to
speak of Mrs. Chases executive ability.
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