The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-15
CLARA BARTON RESIGNS,
AND MRS. JOHN A. LOGAN
TAKES THE PRESIDENCY
Troubles of the American Red
Cross Organization Result
in Change.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION
Is Read by the Retiring President,
Who Filled the Office Twenty
Five Years.
LETTER OF RESIGNATION

WASHINGTON, May 14.-Miss Clara Bar
ton to-day resigned the presidency of the
American Red Cross and was succeeded by
Mrs. John A. Logan. who has heretofore
occupied the office of vice president of the
association. The change took place at Mrs.
Logans residence and was participated in
by Miss Barton, Mrs. Logan and members
of the executive committee of the Red
Cross. Miss Barton's letter or resignation
was a partial review of the work of the
ganization, in which she said:
ut is now twenty-three years since, by
the express desire of President Garfield on
the eve of martyrdom, l accepted the
presidency of the organization over which
you have the honor TO preside and the
duties which you have the kindness to ad-
minister. Until that moment the American
Red Cross had no existence. 1t stood before
the country an anomaly. Its very name
was unknown. Its first object and its
raison detre was to gain accession to the
international treaty under which IL exists;
and, second, to fulfill the duties set forth in
the charter which you sacredy hold 1t
were all too long to review it's course or
recount its efforts. and you do not need it,
Its active fields of service are verging on
the scores By degrees its name has be-
come familiar to our people and its work
SO in part. 1t has largely conducted the re-
lief of our only foreign war. 1t has by it's
example enlarged the scope of the organized
charities of the country and has brought
US into practical relations with the humani-
tartan methods of other nations and made
possible an Interchange of benefcence
With those forming its present board of
management rests its guidance guidance
which all may safely trust. To the COM
bined wisdom of leaders of armies, of SEN
ators and Judiciary and the rich experience
of trusted helpers is committed this charge
OF quarter of century.
II Is waste Of time to remind you of
the years and the occasions in which our
weary president has sought to lay her
weary burdens down, but once more and
for all, most honored officers and friends.
L tender my resignation president of the
American National Red Cross. which resig-
nation being absolute calls only for accept
ance.
Il would not have one days DELAY for
this little change by which all are benefited:
and the organization, L trust will find that
peace and quiet in its long disturbed ele-
ments, so welcome to 1t. to US. and to the
country
The resignation was accepted. and in ad-
dition TO many individual expressions of
Teeret, the executive committee in letter
to Miss Barton, said:
THE value OF your services TO our coun-
Try ana to its people. commencing with the
aied VI our CIVIL war and later the
founder and manager of the American Ma
| tional Red Cross, relieving the distress
and suffering of hundreds and thousands
OF our people on battlefields i'm hospitals
and in appalling disasters by which Won
| were enabled to bring comfort and relief in
| the hour OF need can never be estimated by
any measure known to either finance or
philantrophy-a service in which you have
F! devoted your life to earnest. patriotic and
strenuous efforts, with an unsefishness I'm
| excelled in the history OF the human race
| Nor have bpnpfactOnS
| to American fields.
After long life of incessant toll and
care, bringing the Red Cross idea from
! Europe, planting ii upon American soil
fostering 1t and building an organization
which merits the confidence and support
| of every citizen of our Republic il is now
right and proper that you should have re-
| lief from these burdens and responsibilities
and that they should be transferred to
others of fewer years and greater strength
| May your life henceforth be fun of snn-
shine and sweet in the remembrance of duty
| we'll performed"
| With the retirement of Miss Barton Mrs
Logan. as vice president. succeeded to the
| duties of president. She made a brief adj
dress, saying in part:
I'm assuming the duties of acting presi-
dent of the American National Red Cross
L do so with many miSgivingS as to the
possibility of satisfying every one How
ever. desiring TO do all | can to allay the
| present excitement in connection with the
organization. | have consented TO try TO
| fill the position with charity for all and
| malice toward none.
Every interest of the American Nation
| al Red Cross shall be protected as far as
| IL is possible to do The executive COM
| mttee shall be advised of every step taken
| for the promotion of the welfare of the
| society and the preservation of it's assets
| and good name. and full report will be
made To the next meeting of the American
| National Red Cross Society to whom the
| executive committee and myself are re-
| sponsible. / shrink from undertaking the
! duties of the president and from making
! position OF vice president from the society,
| / feel | must endeavo- 10 do my duty"
Miss Barton left with Mrs. Logan n
| number of suggestions bearing upon the
| conduct of the society and Mrs. Logan sug-
| gested that a meeting be called for Sept
| for the consideration of this memora nda.
| In speaking OF the necessity for this meet
ing she put II on the ground of 1.-The pres
| ent unpleasant and unsatisfactory condi-
| ton of affairs" She suggested that at the
| proposed meeting no proxies be received.
| She also expressed the opinion that in the
/ interim proper custodian should be APP
pointed TO take charge OF the assets OF the
| 0rganizafiOn