The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-25
VETERANS BOLT
FROM CONVENTION
Spanish War Association Split
Over Reelection of Com
mander White.
MAY CARRY FIGHT HIGHER
Get Together at Dinner. but Ell
fort to Heal Breach
Apparently Fails.
MAY CARRY FIGHT HIGHER


ginia, United Spanish War veterans,
broke up in confusion late yesterday
afternoon. when the delegates from
Richmond and Roanoke. led by B. NJ
Hartman. bolted, charging steam roll
er methods in the reelection OF the
old officers When Il real split seem
ed inevitable. adjournment was taken
II compromise might be effected, but
the committee in charge reported back
sustaining Department Commander
White ana his officers and the bolters
quit the convention hall.
The convention is scheduled to re-
assemble this morning at . o'clock in
the First Regiment Armory. but b. NJ.
Hartman, leader of the Dolters. was
emphatic last night in the statement
that his party was through with the
present session.
We've quit" he said, and what
the party that remained by Nhitc Is
going TO do I don't know. We are
going home now. but we Will be on
| nand in AtlantIc City when the Grand
Camp aieets. and VIII submit our
cause to that court.
Clnims There WIS No Quorum.
According TO Mr.. Hartman. the pus-
IIitS5 VA lES dl AtuSl lA.dl
part which was transacted after his
party quit the hall. will not be Of
! nciai, as no quorum remained The
hight to have the Grand Camp set
aside the election OF onccrs as cf-
fected yesterday will be based on the
technical point of no quorum.
The constitution OF the United
Spanish War Veterans states that Il
quorum shall be made up of four OF
the eight camps in this department"
said Mir. hartman. When We left the
convention hall we did not take half
the delegates numerically. but We took
the representatives OF enough camps
to leave onl ytwO camps represented
in the convention. We do not believe
that the action of the remaining dele
gates, representing only TWO OF the
eight camps, will stand as the ex-
pressed Will OF the Department OF
Virginia"
Wien ii came time for the election
OF officers yesterday afternoon the
lines were sharply drawn between
Underwater and the rest of the State.
Department Commander II. johnson
White. OF Tidewatcr. brought up with
| him twenty-five delegates from Nor
folk and Newport News camps, who
were solid for his reelection as the
head of the Virginia Depai tment OF
this delegation, the Hartman faction
claims eight were ointers created by
White last gear In his official position
as department commander and repre-
sented eight votes solidly Tor him.
Eight Votes Elected Him.
Without these eight votes" said
Mr.. Hartman last night. white could
not have been reelected. AS It stands.
he and his officers were ,c-elected to
Office by their own votes This is no
doubt within the letter Of the consti-
M yVir n.
do not believe the Grand Camp will
uphold any such action. The trainers
OF the constitution certainly never in
tended that any men should perpetuate
themselves in office by the use OF
steam roller methods"
Tne action OF the Hartman fiction
in refusing 10 vote in the election Of
officers and RETAINING from taking
part in the succeeding work OF the
convention seriously questions tn.
legality Of the whole proceedings. and
makes a wide split down the centre OF
the veterans of the Department Of
Virginia. The party headed b. Whit.
is eager for harmony and reconcilia.
tion. and as matters stood the possi
bllity or getting together to-day an
peared very good. 1t is possible that
the breach may be healed by n COM
promise this morning. and the leaders
OF poth fact ons We're workinS with
that end in view last night.
In spite of the bolt OF the afternoon.
the insurgents were persuaded TO at
tend the banquet last night in Nur
phys Hotel. and in the Interest," n,
harmony b. NJ. Hartman was mad
POSTMASTER. 4 rather heavy atmos.
phere. however. cast a datnpcr Over
'he gathering, and illusions to steam
roller tactics were frequent in tho
course oil the hftcr-d!nncr speeches.
INC ttcrness IF there was any left.
was wellconcealcd at dinner, and nj,
Joined in good health to the orcani1a
| ton.
Greater Than Politics..
The sentiment of Command.- IN
! seph lie Masu:icr as expressed last
/ night was that "comradship is great
| or than politics" and that n healing
OF the breach will be effected before
the day Is over This hope is enter
famed oF all. and the reunion at 4 n
ner was step in that direction. IL
! there is permanent reunion. hoy
/ ever IT seems that some ground must
be surrendered by Department Com
mander White and :he T!dcwater del
! egation.
! The convention was called to order
yesterday morning by Commander
! Masurler In Company BIS room. First
regiment. which had been offered for
! the use Of the delegates. As .oon rs
! the meeting was turned over TO It
| partment Commander III. johnson
| Waite. Governor Mann was lnt,u
| duced to welcome the delegate, To
the capital on the part tf the state.
Mayor Richardson performed the same
office for the city. The good will and
| encouragement OF the Virginia vol
Unteers was conveyed to the Spanish
! War veterans b. Adjutant General ga !e.
and Colonel c. \. Danlsey. U. s. a.,
retired, made graceful add .ess.
Other speakers were Colonel ]. V.
Bidgood Adjutant- General Grand Camo.
United Confederate Veterans: the Rev.
| Landon Mason, Commander r. E. Lee
Camp. No. !. United Confederate Vet
Grams; Colonel j. y. Prentiss Com
mander Phil Kearny Post. Grand .trn,-
of the Republic; Colonel Robert North
ern. Adjutan; Pickett Camp. L. C. ",
o,d rolnnal Iocoh r,,,rio 1r