The National tribune., 1906-07-05

MRS NERO. l. TANNER. wo
The news OF the death OF Mrs. Tanner
came to her friends In Washington as a
great shock. II is probable that there
Is no better known woman In the city
among patriotic, philanthropic and
charitable workers. She was a Past
President Of the Union Veterans Legion
Auxiliary. Past President Of the Legion
Of Loyal Women, and Past President Of
the old Potomac Woman's Relief Corps,
which went out OF existence about II
years ago to become the Legion Of
Loyal Women. The organization had
membership Of nearly 400 at the time
that Mrs. Tanner was fits President. She
was also Past President Of the Fedora
ton OF Women's Clubs and a member
Of the Pro Re Nata.
Mrs. Tanner was interesting herself
in legislation for veterans and their
widows, and many Of the laws In their
interests now upon the statute books
were placed there largely through her
influence. which is said to have been
potent In Congress. A few years ago
1sAAS AohhCf SCeoh ~ ptCcS Soh6I Cos
for a law permitting the body OF an en-
listed mans wife to be buried I'm the
same grave with her husband In all Ma
tional cemeteries.
Lincoln Post, G. A. r., Department
of Potomac. drafted the first bill for
this purpose. and the Posts and Wo-
mans Relief Corps had been pressing
the matter for some time when Mrs.
Tanner took up the matter. IT Is be-
lieved the bill will go through at the
next session OF Congress.
AS the law now stands all enlisted
men are entitled to burial in National
cemeteries, but their wives are not.
while the wives Of officers may be buried
beside them, in separate graves.
Mrs. Tanner asked for similar iegis-
lation for enlisted mems wives, but find
ing that the chief objection to this bill
was that it would cost considerable To
acquire ground for so many additional
graves. she drafted a bill which would
permit husband and wife to be buried
in the same grave. Just the contin-
gency has arisen which Mrs. Tanner
urged before the Congressional Commit
tee. Her husband, 'Corpr' Tanner.
may be buried In Arlington. but he
never wore shoulder straps. and she can
not be buried with him. She once said
she could not die till she was sure that
Her Executive Ability.
Mrs. Tanner was regarded as a wo-
man Of fine executive ability. a little
dogmatic and domineering at times. but
so enthusiastically CHEEKY about Ii that
she won friends with these sterling
traits where many others would have
lost them. She was speaker Of force
and rare charm, many believing that
she even excelled her orator husband.
whom she idolized. The accident seems
tragic. because 1t is only a
few months since Mrs. Tanner came
from under the surgeons knife I'm
critical operation. where her life was
despaired Of.
Mrs Tanner was greatly interested In
a number of civic as well as patriotic
in Washington, and was
an active worker in all patriotic socie-
ties long before her husband became
She was a member of the Executive
Of the American National
Red Cross Society. Past National Presi-
dent OF the Ladies' Union Veteran Le-
gion and was National Councillor OF
that organization.
Husbands Constant Conpanfen.
Mrs Tanner was married to CorpI
Tanner in 1866. In his later years OF
intense suffering, due to his wounds.
Mrs. Tanner was never long from his
side, and always accompanied him on
all his trips. as he needed her assist
ance at every turn. One of her charac-
teristic remarks was: Il want to live
till Jim goes. and then my work is
DONE"
Ito me this is the very quintessence
Of tragedy" declared friend. MRS.
Tanner had reared a family of boys and
girls that any mother would be proud
Of and they were all self-supporting
and off her mind. L have just Jim to
look after now she once said to me.
and he is more an object of hourly
solicitude than any Of my children ever
we're. He needs me every hour"
Mrs. Tanner welded a ready pen. and
her friends possess many evidences or
her literary ability. though she rarely
cared to have anything published. Dur
ng the Spanish War Mrs.
Tanner was particularly active in the
work for the younger veterans. the Sec
md son of the family, Lieut. Earl Tan
ler. having performed distinguished
service in that war.
Mrs. Tanner was the daughter OF AL
red c. White. of Jefferson. y. Y.