The National tribune., 1909-08-26

DELLA r. HENRY,
National President, Ladies of the GAR.
office of any kind. She thought that
the woman who was empowered by her
office to give the work of the organiza-
ton to the public ought to be specially
gifted for the purpose. and ventured
the opinion that mighty few women
could learn late in life to be press WRIT
ers. After the convention adopted the
suggestions of Mrs. Ball she called the
Corps and Department Press Core
spondents of the convention TO meet
her, and formulated the instructions in
accordance with their opinions of what
Is necessary along those lines. There
were about 20 in the conference, and
they expressed themselves as entirely
in harmony with the action taken in
support of Mrs. Balls ideas on the sub-
ject
The report of the National Chaplain
showed that 616,492 graves of soldiers
had been decorated on Memorial Day,
and that the total expense incurred by
the w r. C. for this loving work was
$13,4TS. Mrs. Mumford was given a
vote of thanks for her Iaborious work.
much of it done from a sick room. The
report of the National Patriotic Instruc-
tor, Mrs. Nettfe MCGOWAN, was an ex
haustive summary of the work of the
year, showing that she had been ex-
ceedingly active. Mrs. MCGOWAN asked
that some kind of pamphlet with pro-
grams and selections for patriotic davs
be provided for the National Patriotic
Instructor. and the National Convention
gave its permission that this should be
done.
Andersonville Prison Grounds.
The report on transfer of the Ander-
sonville Prison Park grounds was very
full, but the Chairman, Mrs. Kate E.
Jones, Past National President, was un-
able to be present to read it, so it was
presented by Mrs. Mary NJ. North She
stated that much had been accomplish
ed, gave the bill which had been intro
duced in Congress, and expressed the
belief that the Government would ulti-
mately accept the property. The con-
yention accepted the report with thanks,
and unanimously reelected Mrs. Jones
Chairman of the committee again, the
other members being Mrs. Kate Brown
lee Sherwood Mrs Mary NJ. North and
Past Commander-in-Chi X. b. Brown.
The report OF the National Chief of
Staff. Mrs Jennie i. Berry, was very
full, showing that excellent results are
being accomplished all over the coun-
try. Mrs. Alice Dean Schneider, Ma
tional Inspector, showed interest along
all lines.
The report of the National Counselor
was accepted with thanks and without
discussion, but some points in it ought
to have been brought before the Ma
tionaI Convention. Some one had asked
the question whether the daughter of a
Confederate veteran may join the Wo-
mans Relief Corps, since she was born
I lx..rr h. Arn hos tifE
Is whether the widow of Confederate
veteran is eligible for membership, since
she never gave aid or comfort to the
enemies of the Union" The National
Counselor automatically replied that
those who vouch for and those who in
vestigate applicants are responsible for
the members who are admitted, and
puts the burden of desirability or un-
desirability upon them.
In the opinion of this writer IL would
be folly to admit either the wife, daugh-
ter or widow of Confederate veteran.
Folly that has been proved in my own
Corps. Not only would any one of the
three get restless, but they would be
| apt to get pretty mad If they had to sit
! in the Corps room or carry flag at a
| campfire and listen as their husbands,
sons and brothers are called rebels"
TRAITORS" and all that sort of thing
and that is what they would hear over
they ever gave aid and comfort to a
rebel soldier or not, they come under
| the category because of their affiliations
and environments. Such members must
ever remain undesirable. Ours is no
Blue and Gray organization. 1t is found
ed on the principles of the Grand Army
| of the Republic, that mo one upon
whom rests the taint' of treason" can
| be member. A woman who is de-
sirable member would have to love the
things her father fought for. and if he
| loved the rebel flag. then she would not
stand it to have that flag derided as a
1 rag" "dishonored flag" and all that.
| The best thing to do is to sit down at
once on any proposition to bring such
members into the Relief Corps. Lovely
| as women, and women for whom we
| have the highest regard, they are not
yet fitted for admission to the Order. 1t
will save trouble and endless discussion
ito not even recommend them for ad-
| mission. Not being National Counselor
that advice is given ex cathedra, so to
lspeak, but at the same time comes from
one who has had some experience in
exactly the cases referred to.
| A delightful lunch was served to the
delegates and officers of the Woman's
Relief Corps in the basement of the
church in which the convention was
held. The banquet hall was handsome
| ly decorated, and pretty souvenir book
lets for autographs and thoughts" were
laid at each plate This was another of
the features that gave so much pleasure
| to all of us at the National Convention.
| At the luncheon on Friday, the last
day of the convention, Mrs. Isabel Wor-
rell Ball offered resolution of thanks
to the ladies' OF Salt Lake for their
beautiful hospitalities. which was ac-
cepted with three cheers, after which