Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1896-04-28

worthy the highest appreciation OF any
comrade.
/ would recommend, that II practi-
cable, some effort be made to provide
a fund for the expenses of the incoming
commander to visit every post 10 the
department with a view OF arousing
new interest and extending the men,
bership. Also to visit towns, where no
post now exists, but where there are
enough comrades TO form new posts.
| am satisfied much effective work can
be done in this way.
Memorial Day last year, owing 10
the extreme inclemency of the weather,
although generally observed. the exer-
cises were held under trying circum-
stances. This is an occasion that must
be sacredly observed regardless oi sur
roundings, and SO long as q comrade
OF the G. A. II. survives, 1t will be.
The comrades who were ~uDjustly de-
prived Of their pensions, so far as l
have been able to learn, have been
restored But there yet remains a large
number of our comrades who deserve
and are entitled to pensions who have
never received any recognition in this
direction.
l would recommend the appointment
of a strong committee which will advise
and assist these comrades in securing
their hardly earned and well meritcd
pensions.
The A T. & S. f. railway company
kindly responded to my request for a
one fare rate for the round.trip from
points in this department to this en-
campment, and | hope suitable action
will be taken in recognition of this Jon
cession.
1t is a lamentable condition that the
Woman's relief corps in this depart
ment has been permitted to die out.
There are enough loyal and patriotic
women in New Mexico to maintain a
vigorous, useful and effective organiza-
ton, and if the proper effort was made
by The grand army Of the republic, l
believe they would give us the inesti.
ma BILE benefits Of a woman's relief
corIs 8. The project is at least worthy
an effort.
The interest taken by the public
schools OF New Mexico in patriotic ex-
%ercises and the expressed generation
for the flag of our country by the ris-
ing generation is most commendable.
A few years more and the last men,
bers of III order will have passed
away, and the observance of Memorial
day and the preservation of the records
Of the v%alorous deeds of the preservers
of this nation will be in the keeping of
the youth now being educated in our
public schools. 1t is our duty to en-
courage every species OF patriotic
teachings that they may intelligently
and faithfully discharge these duties.
would recommend that this en-
campment give expression to its views
On house resolution No. 1850, now be-
fore the lower house of congress
making an appropriation for the erec-
ton of a monument to commemorate
the services and achievements of the
private soldiers and sailors of the
United States in the late war of the
rebellion.
And now comrades let us enter the
coming year with renewed and In
creased interest. There is scarcely a
locality in this Territory where there
are not survivors of the late war who
are eligible to membership in the G.
A. r who have neve allied them
selves with us to aid the objects of our
order and benefit themselves and their
deserving comrades. Let US endeavor
to enroll them before another encamp-
ment.
l wish to express my qualification
for the universal promptness and inter-
est manifested by the staff and the
kindness and courtesy extended by all
comrades during the year it has been
my privilege to command this Depart
ment.
With best wishes for the future well
fare of this Department and the Grand
Army of the Republic throughout our
country and assurances Of my humble
efforts to promote the best interests of
the organization, l submit this brief
T. w. COLLIER,
Department Commander.