The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-02-12
VOL. 7. NO 2S.


a body of troops distinguished for their galan-
try, and in which there are threc companies from
my own couuty-in regard to the condition Of
Camp Curtin and the manner in which they
we're treated on their arriyal inthis city. was
asked by them whether it was not possible that
we could have accommodations provided for
the reception of returning soldiers; and was
requested to introduce, in this House, reso,u-
ton somewhat in the nature of that offered by
ihe gentleman from Montgomery.
Whist do not desire to "cast any asper-
sions," or even reflections, upon the constituted
authorities of the State Of Pennsylvania, think
il ishighl. important, think it absolutely me-
cessary, that some inIni.y into the condition Of
affairs at the military camps about this city.
should bs made; therefore, for the purpose of
reaching this question practically, and without
making party or POLITICAL issue out Of it, de-
sire to move to amend tbs preamble and rcsolu-
ton now before the House, by striking out all
after the word "Whereas," and inserting the
following:
sit has come to the knowledge Of the MEM
bers Of this House, that the accommodations at
Camp Curtin for The reception OF the soldiers now
returning from the field, are insufficient and OF a
nature calculated to produce discomfort to, and
generate disease among, the troeps; therefore,
Resolsv9, Tba: committee of three members
of this Honse he appointed to inquire into the
condition of Camp Curtin, to ascertain what
arrangements have been madc by The Executive
Department. FOR the reception and accommoda-
ton Of the troops reiurn!og from the seat of war
and to report the result of their inquiries to this
House, at as early day as possible"
Mn. WATSON, Of Philadelphia, here said,
that The substitute ssasssrted what is not true"
MR. BIGHAM, Of Allegheny, spoke ofthc friends
OF the resolution and substitute, trying to make
"political capital" by sticking their noses into
dirty, sinking holes and stirring them mp; and
Mn LEE. Of Philadelphia, said he "could not
60 before his constituents, as having, upon this
occasion, made 'bunconl5e speech"
| Mr.. MEYERS resumed: Mr.. SPEAKER, de-
sire TO say few words in reply to the gentle
man rom philadelphia, Mr.. WATsoS, who spoke
few minutes ago. Hesays that the substitute
offered by myself asserts what is not true
Nov, Mr.. SPEAKER, that substiiuts, ii its pra.
amble, makes only this assertion. sit has corac
to ihe knowledge Of members Of this Houss,
thai lie accommodations at Camp Cnrtin are
insufficient for the reception Of the returning
soldiers, &C. Sir. it has come TO the knowl-
edge of noenbers of this House, that such is
the case, that The accommodations q! Camp
Curtin arc insufficient, and the condition of
that place unfit for the reception of the rcturn-
ng,volunteers Officers of some of the rcgi-
ments now in This city, have called, in person,
upon members, and informed them concerning
tha mud smd filth and dilapidation OF Camp
Curtin, at the same tine complaining of the
cool reception they received here upon t'eir ar
rival. will say further. that these regiments
that have returned, did not come here after
night, as alleged by some of me gentlemen on
the other side of this House. At any rate,
it was thc business of the Executive authori-
Ties 10 know taat the were coming, ana 10 as.
certain when they would arrive. 1 am sure it
is rot expected that the officers of regiments in
South Carolina, or other remota places, Tor the
rriyates, forsooth,) are TO write TO Governor
CuRrIN, or any other OF the authorities here
at Harrisburg, that on specified day they will
be here, and that preparations ought to be made
for their receW;on,
MF, SPEAKER, this resolution was not offered
for tho sake of sbuncombe," as intmated by
the gentleman from Philadelphia (Mr. LEE).-
Gentlemen or the other side Of the House are
in the habtofcrying 'buncombew 'tbuncombe!' y
when an attempt is made to ''stir up," as the
gentleman from Allegheny said, the sinking
holes that they have made upon she soil Of this
gooi old Commonwealth. The gentleman from
Allegheny admits that Camp Curtin, and the
other camps prepared for the reception of the
returning soldiers, arc "stinking holes," and,
therefore, tacitly acknowledges the necessity for
The appointment of this COMMITTEE. If there
is anything srotten in Denmark" let US have it
smelt out.
have rot aesailcd the political pasty repre-
sentcd on the other side of this hall 1T is not
necessary that / should. do not think that
there is any danger that the gallant soldiers the
intelligent nlen OF our armea, will misunderstood
the position of that party. True, they nisan-
.lers.o,d it once, but they cannot misunderstood
il again. They Understood once that the chief
Of that political organization in THIS State, was
the friend of the soldier, but l have n fixed and
firm belief that they will never regard him in
that light again.
Mir, SrEAKER, would not have said this
much Of partisan nature, had not the gentle
men on the other sdo assaiIcd the friends Of this
resolution from party standpoint, and charg
ed them with endeavoriag to make "political
capital" Sir, am simply seeking to discharge
my duty to my constituents; for, three compa-
nies of the brave men now stuck last in the
mud at Camp Curtin, are my constitutcnts--
WI ateyer views may hold in regard to the
war, ta,d IN unfortunate and unhappy war it
certainly ist . is my duty to sec that these men
are properly treated. Political doctrines con-
cerning the war have nothing to do with. this
matter. Members Of this House have been in
formed by their constituents among the return.
ed soldiers, that there is something wrong about
the accommodations prepared by the Executive
authorities for The reception of the furloughed
veterans, and it is our duty to demand an In
quiry into tho alleged evil We do not want
a political or partizan Investigations we desire
that il shall be full, and free from all bias what
ever, whether political or otherwise. We ask for |