The National tribune., 1904-08-25
LADIES OF THE GAR.
Splendid Growth Of the Order.
Beautiful Presents and Many
COurteSieS.

The National Convention OF the Ladies
Of the G.. A. II. was held Wednesday and
Thursday in Larimer Hall, fremont Tenn
ple which was magnifcently, decorated
for the occasion. About 300 delegates
were in attendance, q State Departments
being represented.
The Annual Address Of Mrs. Belinda
s. Bailey, National President, was a glow
ing tribute to the organization and the
splendid work done during the year.
Mrs. Abbie Krebs, National Secretary,
read her report in which she stated that
Minnesota had taken the lead in adding
new Circles during the past year, while
Pennsylvania had assumed the leadership
in the establishment Of Homes for aged
veterans and their wives, followed closely
work.
The Secretary also showed the organi-
zatiOn to have a membership Of $1,000,
and that the work was proceeding salts
factorially along every line.
The report Of the Treasurer. Mrs. Julia
donated to G. A. r. Posts the past year
was 5000; for Widows Homes, $4,000;
for Soldiers Homes, $2,SO4, and balance
in the treasury of $4,000.
Mrs. Belinda Bailey, National President,
was presented a diamond ring valued at
$500, from the Oakland Department Of
California. To Chaplain Jennie Varney,
of Minneapolis, was presented solitaire
by the same Department, amid the cheers
and handclapping of the 800 delegates and
members present.
Greetings were received from all the pa
triOtic organizations then in session in
Boston, except the Woman's Relief Corps.
A beautiful flag was presented to Mrs.
Bailey by a comrade from Ohio.
The National Senior Vice-President.
Mrs. Ruth q. Foster, read an account of
the new Department organized in New
Mexico.
Gen. J. c. Black, retiring Commander
in-Chief of the G. A. r., and Mrs. Black,
accompanied by James Murray Bailey,
General and his wife were received with
applause and the waving of handkerchiefs,
and the whole Convention sang the Red
White and Blue"
Gen. Black seemed much moved by his
reception, and in opening spoke Of the
as two great organizations that bore be-
tween them, as between the wings of a
great eagle, the burden of duty and sweet
ministratiOn to others. There is room
enough for both these organizations, he
said, although identical in purpose. And
he spoke Of his efforts in behalf Of the
veterans in Congress during the past year,
and said:
Your President in far-off golden gated
California called to her gentle host all
over the land and they helped secure the
necessary legislation for the old soldiers.
For her part and your part in this work
for my comrades. I tender sincere and
hearty thanks, and hope it may be true
that every American girl may be eligible
by birth to your great Order And it NAV
happen, for in 100 years from the time of
the Revolution almost all women but those
who have come into our country are eli
gible to become members of the D. r.
or the ID. A. r. These organizations have
bound up many wounds and have placed
the Flag where millions Of Americans once
dreaded it."
The Convention then sang tho Illinois
State Song, and Gen. Black and his wife
left the hall amid the applause Of the dele
ductress Mabel Luckley, bearing the Flag.
On Wednesday evening splendid re-
ception to the Commander-in- Chief was
held in Larimer Hall. Those in the receiv-
ing line were Mrs. Belinda s. Bailey, San
Francisco. Cal, the National President;
Mrs: Ruth F. Foote. the Senior Vice:
Springfield, Mass, Junior Vice-President;
Mrs. Abbie b. Krebs, Of San Francisco.
the National Secretary: Mrs. Julia M.
Gordon, of Topeka, Kans., National Treas.
urer; Mrs. Jennie Vamey, Of Minneapolis,
Mlnn, the CnaplaIn; Mrs. Annie Niche
ner, OF Pittsburg, Penn, the National In
spector; Mrs. M. Anna Hall, Of Wheeling,
". Va, the. Counsellor; the National
Council of Administration and Others
prominent in the Order.
The ushers were: Miss Emily J. Sar-
gent, Lawrence; Miss Lizzie Hinckley.
Everett; Miss Marion Rundlett, Lowell.
and Miss Maud r. Randall, Lowell.
A musical program was given, aided
by the children dancers Of Lynn, Miss
Mabel Patten and Miss Iona Stillinps.
Lunch was served to the delegates in