Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1896-04-28
GRAND ARMY.
Report of Department Commander
T.. w. Collier to the Thirteenth
Annual Encampment.

BY resolution, unanimously adopted
at the thirteenth annual encampment,
department Of New Mexico, G.. A. r.,
held at Ration, April oath and 25th,
1896, this report was ordered printed
in the Ration Range, with the request
that it be published in the other papers
of the Territory:
Comrades:
We are assembled at the thirteenth
annual encampment, department Of
New Mexico, Grand Army of the Re-
public. 1t is my pleasant privilege to
welcome you to this meeting.
The past year has been a trying one
with u patriotic organization. AS
we grow older. we are less able to fight
lifs's battles with younger and more
vigorous competitors and in conse
quence, the prosperity of our comrades
has been limited during the general de-
preston that has prevailed, and this
state of affairs has had a telling effect
on this department.
The pinching exactlons of poverty
has depleted some OF our posts, but the
comrades generally have made a CON-
mendable fight to maintain their or
CARNATIONS and standing In our be-
loved order.
There is plenty of material within
the boundaries of this department to
increase the membership of existing
posts, and a persistent effort should be
made to secure their enrolment as
members of the G. A. r.
At the last encampn.ent, a resolution
was adopted looking TO the resuscita-
ton Of Phil. Sheridan post, No ID, at
Las Cruces. l e~ndeavored to awaken
some interest among the comrades OF
this former fonrishing post, but my
eff arts dismally failed. | received an
swers to but two letters cut of twenty
three and they were indifferent and un.
promising Of any good results.
| visited Sherman post, No. /, at Las
Vegas, upon invitation, and succeeded
in enlisting Sufficient interest to revive
that post, which is now in a flourish
ing condition. / was accompanied by
Assistant Adjutant General Comrade
Risdon.
l attended the last national encamp-
ment at Louisville, Kentucky. where
this department was represented by
Past Department Commander Downs,
Comrades Davis, Champion, Hargrave
aud Crawford. Comrade Champion, of
Carleton post, acted as my assistant
adjutant general during the encamp-
ment.
Since the returns have been made by
the assistant -adjutant general for the
term ending December 31st last,
Isaac R. Hawkins Post No. Is, at
Eddy, surrendered its charter on &C
count of the members scattering to Sc
cure employment.
issued cards to the members of the
Post, as they all desired to retain their
membership in the G. A. r.
On the 18th OF January | received
the sad news Of the death Of Comrade
f. BARCELONA, post commander Of G.
X. Warren post No. g.. Proper men,
ton will be made in the chaplain's re-
port of this worthy comrade and suit
able action will be taken by this en-
campment in reference to the departed
comrades during the past year. who
have joined the grand army in the
great beyond.
One of the unaccountable and vex-
atious conditions that oonfronts the
department commander is the luke
warmness and lack Of interest taken IN
The advancement and prosperity Of our
manifested by ONE OF the
comrades who have enjoyed all the
honors githin the gift of the depart
ment. This is not as it should be.
Concerted effort and persistent work
will increase our membership. This
should have from every comrade.
especially those who have been hon
pred by high positions, fayors that are