The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-22

Northen's Plain Talk
The smouldering embers in Pickett
! Camp Confederate Veterans, Haired up
! again bright and warm last night, and
there was probably the lveliest meeting
OF that organization which has been held
for years.
1t was expected soon after the meeting
was called to order by Commander Gibbs
that the resolution of Comrade Pun
phrev. calling for an investigation Of the
charges that there were deserters' fakirs
and other bogus members Of the organi-
zation. who couldn't detect gun powder
when they smell it on the roster OF the
camp. would be brought up again. II
was an equally well-established tact thdt
when this resolution, which was tapled
a couple of weeks ago. was again brought
10 light. there was going TO De new hle
| instilled into the STOPPING forms OF some
| OF the battle-scarrcd veterans an" an
the indications pointed 10 tne conclua'o"
that arguments would consist OF some
] lnlIE AtlNlt AtlaAh rtatt-~
! in monotOnes.
SOME UGLY CHARGES.
The resolution OF Comrade Pumphrey
has been published I'm substance IN TINS
paper. II goes on 20 gay that inasmuch
| as charges have been made by outsiders
that some OF the members OF Plckelt
| Camp never smelt gun powder did not
sec active service in the war, and got
into tho organization under false repre-
| sentations. and that since IL was also
| charged that there were out-and-out oe-
serters on the roster OF the camp, "A COM
mitteo TO investigate these charges and
report 10 the camp which would ACT ac-
| cordingly. be appointed.
! This is the document IN q nut-shei.
| When it was introduced there was a
| furore iu the camp that created as much
| excitement as an ordinary bomb-sheh
would have done during "a quiet game or
! seven-up around a campfire in o. sew
| eral warm speeches were delivered with
gestures 10 match. and after the measure
! was temporarily throttled by majority
vote TO lay on the table Comrade Pun
| phrey was not satisfied and remarked M
| tones under his breath: That's all right;
I'll bring IT up again soon, for I'm deter
mined 70 have these ugly charges Nenu-
lated
A LIVE TOPIC.
The next meeting night was devoted
largely to an entertainment at which
the presence Of many OF the fair sex
prevented any Investigation OF the MEM
bers' records. SO that last night was
really the first opportunity Comrade Pun
phroy had to stir up the hornets nest
again.
There was very good attendance,
despite the bad weather Confederate
veterans don't mind the weather when
there's any chance of r0bbing them Of
records they made for individual he
roism. There was reason To- believe that
the question whether or not several of
the members were afraid Of anything
short Of a buzz-saw would come up. and
so they vcntured out ia the rain. cooked
and primcd for the fray, and prepared 10
guard their records as bravcly as they
did many n picket line when the mer-
curry was down 10 zero. They We're cold
days In the winter of 63 The oldest
inhabitant can't now recall much keener
winds than some OF the Confederate yete-
rams can tell about while they were on
duty, and hungry, too.
THE BATTLE OPENS.
But that is neither here nor there. The
battle commenced last night when Dr.
Thomas T.. Stratton. who mas long been
considered "a member OF the Camp in
good standing. arose ID a question oe
personal privilege. and said that he wish
ed 10 make a statement before the Camp,
but before he did so he would send our
and bring in a friend of his. Mr. LOsgn $.
Robins who be- wished 90 appear before
tine body. Silence for moment was as
dense as tolu. Pretty much everybody in
tho room suspected what was coming
next Dr. Stratt0n himself appeared 90
| be under the influence of considerable
feeling. and his voice trembed a little
as he spoke lie started out OF the door
There was a pause You could have
heard n pin drop.
Then IL was that Adjutant Peter Nc
Durdv got on his feet ~ "a hurry and
spoke In somewhat emphatlc terms He
stated Comrade Pnmphrev's resolution
had reflected upon the entire Camp. that
charges had been made ihat would en-
DANGER the good name of the body as AN
organization. and he wanted 10 cal upon
the one who offered that resolution 10
suhsfanfiate those charges He desired
"a committee Amounted 10 investigate the
| charges that there were deserfers and
bogus veterans on the roster Of The Camn
These CHARGES were serious and IL would
not do 10 let them stand without invesd-
ration. ITe called unon Comrade Pum-
phrev 20 name The men against whom tie
charges were directed.
\ SPICY SCENE.
| Adiutant McCurdy had scarcely taken
his seat before q spicy scene took place
between Commander Gibbs and Comrade
| Pumphrey The Commander made things
exceedingly lively by stating that It was
the rule OF the Camp 10 consider no
/ measure similar 20 the one before the
body when introduced by n member who
was IN arrears OF his dues 20 the Camp
COmradc pumnhrey grew sOmewfa. eX-
cited at this. What right have you 10
mako such "a Statement "A that he ask
ed THAT is not fair and ] don't care II
YOU are the Commander of this Camp
do not hesitate 70 say you have no right
20 make such statement before the,
body
Il want II distinctly understood" re-
Piled the Commander sharply that I am
the Commsnder ~ this Camp. ond while
! T hold that position ! shall enforce the
rules and regulations Of thn body without
fsaf .or l.V1r 81