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Sanders, appears this recommendation, "that certificates of services rendered be prepared in blank form, which can be properly and officially filled by our Order and presented to these women (army nurses), or heirs of those whose names appear upon our authenticated list, that may pass down to rising generations as a legacy of unselfish sacrifices."

Annie Wittenmyer, as the executive officer of last year, carried out the instructions of Convention, and the blanks were sent to me. I have had them engrossed according to instructions, and they are being forwarded. The National President has brought to my notice a slight obscurity in the recommendation and suggests that it be brought before this Convention for a more complete understanding. I would therefore offer the following recommendation:

Resolved, That Ninth National Convention decide that but one blank certificate of service be furnished the heirs of the women whose names are now upon the list and who are since deceased.

I have most cheerfully devoted time and labor for the furtherance of the good work, and only regret that larger and fuller results have not been accomplished.

Respectfully submitted,

HARRIETTE L. REED,

Secretary.

REPORT OF CHAIRMAN OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS, NATIONAL WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS HOME.

OFFICE OF CHAIRMAN OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

HANNAH R. PLIMPTON,

Madam:

SANATOGA, PA., July 5, 1891.

National Secretary, W. R. C.

I have the honor to report that the National Woman's Relief Corps Home is in a healthy and prosperous condition. Fifteen months ago we had only $1,913.91. We now have in property, at Madison, Ohio, including land, buildings and household goods, $13,837.59; and after all bills had been paid, June 30, 1891, we found a balance to our credit of $1,429.56. This statement does not include the value of special gifts or many of the boxes, the valuation of which had not been given.

The grounds have been put in good order and beautified; fruit and shade trees have been planted, and vines and flowering shrubs have been set out, and the houses and grounds fitted up and placed in the best possible condition. The list of Army Nurses to whom aid was being given has been carefully revised, and only those in need have been placed on the roll for quarterly allowances. The amount expended in aiding Army Nurses outside of the Home was this year $984.50. Of this, $75 were given from Headquarters Relief Fund and $883.50 from Home Fund. Three quarterly instalments have been paid this year. The March issue was delayed owing to the loss of the approved list in transit by express, and it cost a great deal of time and labor to replace it. The inmates of the Home have been supported comfortably and seem to be very happy, and are well cared for by the matron, Miss Kate L. Cooledge, of Massachusetts, and Miss Mattie Maynard, assistant matron, of Ohio.

The health of the institution has been remarkably good, the sickness being such as is incident to old age. The surgeon's report is herewith appended.

The Secretary of the Board, by request, has made a very full detailed statement, which accompanies this, that the Order may know just what has been done and that the Departments and Corps may have proper credit.

The Ohio Legislature, at its recent session, made an appropriation of $25,000 to build a cottage on the Home grounds.

I was very anxious that the exact status of the Home should be fully understood by that body, and, while the bill was pending, wrote a carefully prepared statement of facts, informing the champions of the project that there could be but one management in that institution, and that any building placed there must be regarded as a gift to the Woman's Relief Corps, and its management be under the Board of Directors elected by that body. This was satisfactory. The bill submitted by Hon. E. J. Clapp was for $25,000, and went through both houses unanimously. This was not only a very complimentary recognition of the work of the Woman's Relief Corps, but a flattering endorsement of the management of the institution.

The cottage is now in course of erection, and is to be ninetyeight feet in front and two stories and a half above the basement. It is to be finished and furnished throughout, and heated by the best method in use and lighted by electricity. It will be fitting that this Convention return a vote of thanks to the Hon. E. J. Clapp and Hon. A. H. McCoy for the interest they have taken, and to the Legislature, through Governor Campbell, for the princely gift.

Owing to the lack of room on our front line to allow spacious grounds suitable for such buildings and for garden purposes, it seems important that a few more acres of land be purchased, to square up the tract we now own.

An immense amount of work has been done this year by every member of the Board of Directors.

The preparation of application blanks, the investigation of the claims of every applicant who asked either to enter the Home or to be aided outside the Home, has involved an immense correspond

ence.

We are deeply indebted to Mrs. Pluma L. Cowles, for her arduous and unceasing labors as Secretary; and to Miss Cooledge, the matron, and Miss Maynard, the assistant matron, for their careful and faithful services.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

1. That a vote of thanks be returned to Hon. E. J. Clapp and Hon. A. H. McCoy, members of the Ohio Legislature, for their able advocacy and management of the bill appropriating $25,000 to erect a building for the accommodation of Ohio inmates.

2. A vote of thanks to the Ohio Legislature for their munificent gift, to be transmitted through Governor Campbell.

3. The purchase of several acres of ground, adjoining our premises, sufficient to square up and put in proper shape our tract of land and afford ample grounds about our buildings.

4. That Mrs. Mary E. Truesdell, who rendered valuable services during the war, and has been temporarily admitted to the Home by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors, be allowed to remain an inmate while her application for pension is pending.

5. That an appropriation of $2,000 be made from the General Fund to help meet the expenses of the coming year, as a large number of applications are pending and greatly increased demands will be made upon us.

Respectfully submitted in F., C. and L.,

ANNIE WITTENMYER,

Chairman of Board of Directors.

REPORT OF SECRETARY OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS, NATIONAL WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS HOME.

OFFICE OF SECRETARY, BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
NATIONAL WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS HOME,

HANNAH R. PLIMPTON,

Madam:

GENEVA, OHIO, June 30, 1891.

National Secretary W. R. C.

I have the honor to submit to you a report of the general work of this office and of the Board of Directors during this first year of the existence of the National Relief Corps Home.

The Board of Directors duly elected by the Eighth National Convention at once assumed the responsible duties of their office. Three meetings were held at Room No. 2, 29 Temple Place, Boston, Mass., on August 16, 20 and 25, respectively, at which much preliminary business was transacted preparatory to the opening of the National Home. It became apparent to all that to attend to this work properly, a meeting of the Board should at once be held at the . National Home.

In response, therefore, to call of Mary Sears McHenry, National President, the Board of Directors met at Madison, Ohio, September 6 to 10, 1890. All the members present except Sarah C. Mink of New York, and Hannah R. Plimpton, National Secretary, Iowa. They ordered the Home to be immediately fitted up for occupancy, the brick building to be first fully equipped, and the other building as needed. Heating, lighting, piping and drainage, grading and fitting up of grounds, were all arranged for. The building of a barn, hen house and the purchase of a cow, horse, spring wagon and outfit were deemed a necessity and were also ordered. Mary Sears McHenry, National President, assumed the very responsible

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