THE R.S.P.C.A.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sia,—The brief annual general meeting of the R.S.P.C.A. last ThurSday comprised relatively few constitutionally minded
members. For both the High 'Conilt-Vult had sanctioned an adjournment Of ttie. meeting. HeadlAtthtersto save members money and time—had filth-Hated that Attendance was unneceAsarY. And the feW dozen present came only to constitute a qUorin: BUt what followed throws a welcome' ight on the manners and methods (shall we add, the Morals ?) of the fractional minority which has lately tried to usurp. sovereignty in the Society, resenting that essential right of " appear to th6 country " which constitutional liberty demands against even representative bodies like Parliament itself. It helps to explain what many have found inexplicable, the readiness of the faction to charge opponents with sharp practice, if not trickery, and apparently see nothing offensive in the charge. Let us hope that it will also rouse the great mass of honest sober, plain-minded R.S.P.C.A. members to wipe off for ever from the Society its present reproach—that unscrupulous and turbulent faction fighting is its leading characteristic !
We were edified once more by the spectacle of a frantic section shouting down a veteran of seventy-eight, grown old in the service of the Society. We enjoyed delicious comedy in the clamorous calling to the chair of a Member of Council who for some time was not allowed to speak because those who called him did not know his face, and who spoke only to reject their summons with a proper scorn. But we learned our lessons of wisdom and honour chiefly from the farcical " Annual General Meeting " and mock election that followed the adjournment.
For here the faction distinguished with a lawyer's nicety between the obligation of an individual leader by his own undertaking to support the adjournment and the freedom of his friends and followers to defeat it. They did not disdain to profit by their opponents' implicit and inevitable reliance on his undertaking, which alloWed them once more to pose as -representing thousands who (whatever their views on
current controversies) would scout such action as " not playing the game." And they used their opportunity to identify themselves afresh, individually or collectively; with three things. First, bitter intolerance. Secondly, virulent personal attacks -(introduced, as usual, by protestations of peace and charity !). And, thirdly, fantastic " reforms" which would empower any fanatic or busybody in the Society to conduct an annual inquisitorial raid on records and corre- spondence at -headquarters, and would subject the Executive to detailed dictation of policy by scratch London gatherings, as unrepresentative constitutionally as in character of the Society at large.—I am, Sir, &c., CHARLES J. B. GASHOIN.
(Formerly Hon. Sec. and Treas., Cambridge R.S.P.C.A.) The Athenaeum, Pall Mall, S.W .1.
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