Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-15
MANSION MUSEUM.
A ABETTERPlAN TO SECURE THE JEFF.
DAVIS HOUSE.
Hollywood Ladies' to Become . Literary
Society and to Adopt the LIZ
brary Feature.

ern Memorial Literary Society. with the
ladies of the Hollywood Association as
charter-members. and allow them the use
Of the JEFF. Davis mansion for a public
library, with museum Of Confederate
relics as an adjunct.
This is the plan that will be pursued TO
get over the legal objections to permitting
the ladies the use of the building for q me-
mortal hall and Confederate museum.
The charter for the new organization will
be prepared by Hon. George L. Christian
and Major Robert Stiles. two valiant old
Confederates and experienced lawyers, and
will be go framed that it will conform to
the requirements of the city charter.
THE CONFERENCE.
At O'clock yesterday afternoon a con-
ference of members of the Hollywood As
sociation. members of the Executive Com
mittees OF the Southern and Virginia His
torical Societies, and other citizens was
held in the Council chamber
There were present Mrs. Joseph Bryan,
Miss T.. NJ. Crenshaw, Mrs. James II. Cor
don, Mrs. John L. Rogers. Mrs W. w.
Henry. Miss Minnie Baughman, and Mrs.
M. NJ. Gillian, from the Hollywood Asso-
citation; Major j. III. Capers. Colonel w.
+. Cutshaw. DR.. Barney, Major Robert
Stiles, Hon. George l.. Christian, Messrs.
+. V. Valentine. r. A. Brock. John S.
Elicit, Z. L. Brooke. r. s. Bosher, George
A. Barksdale, Joseph Bryan. and }. Aston
| Cabell from the historical societies, and
City-Attorney c. Y. Meredith.
Major Capers was made chairman and
Mr. Ben. 4. August secretary.
THE LEGAL QUESTION.
II was explained TO the meeting that the
| City Attorney had given it as his opinion
| that the city had no power under its char
ter TO allow the building for the purposes
set forth in the resolution which was
originally introduced IN the Council and
/ the committees having the matter under
| consideration had been estopped IN tnelr
work.
The resolution introduced by Mr.. Hill
| ct the meeting of the Board Of Aldermen
| Monday night, which directs the Commit
! tees on Finance. Schools, and Grounds and
/ Buildings to consider the expediency OF al
| lowing the Southern aud Virginia Histori-
| cal Societies the use of ths mansion for a
| public library was read
NOT PREPARED TO SPEAK.
The gentlemen representing tho histori-
| cal societies said they were not prepared TO
say whether or not their respective organl-
cations would consent to go into the build
ing end establish such library as was ez-
pected of them.
IL was suggested by Colonel Cutshaw
| that new organization be formed and
| apply for a charter; the purposes OF such
a society 10 be the establishment OF pub
! lie library, with museum rs an adjunct
thereto.
MUST DE- BoSA-FIDE LIBRARY.
City Attorney Meredith when asked for
his opinion how best TO overcome the legal
difficulty said the library must be bona
fde one. IL must be a library in fact AZ
we'll as in name. 1t would not do to have
q museum and little literature in expla-
nation Of some of the relics, for this would
simply be trlfing with the law. The mu-
scum should not be the leading feature and
the library be established as a side-show.
Mr. Meredith added that il the confer
ence decided TO recommend that the use
of the building be allowed TO the ladies'
and if the Council voted fayorably upon
the proposition. he would not interfere OF
attempt to defeat their purposes.
THE LADIES SHOULD HAVE II.
Colonel Cutshaw said the ladies were the
proper persons to have the use of the build.
ing and when the Legislature recOnveneS
n bill should be passed amending the char.
ter of the city so as to overcome the diff
Guilty NJ TO making the museum tho proml
larent feature OF the mansion.
Major Stiles explained that the SOutherr
Historical Society had passed its days o.
greatest usefulness and has practically
finished the work for which 1t was formed
and thought new society should be or
ganized 10 preserve the relics or the Con
federacy.
THE NEW SOCIETY.
Hon. George L. Christian offered the fol
lowing resolution, which was unanimously
Resolred. as the sense of this meeting
composed of members of the Executive
Committees OF the Ladies' Hollywood
Association, the Southern Historical 80
cety, and the Historical Society. OF Nlr
ginia. That the jefferson Davis MansloI
should be turned over TO an association t'
be formed and chartered hereafter for th'
purpose of establishing IN this city
. Southern Memorial Literary Society, an,
that space shall be provided in said build
ing for the property and archives OF tn
Southern and Virginia Historical Societies
TO DRAFT TIE CHARTER.
On motion of Mr.. Bryan, Judge Chris
tian and Major STILES were appointed
committee to draft charter for the ne'
society.
The corporators will be the ladies OF IN
HOLLYWOOD Association. They will hold
meeting in n few days to elect officers 10
the new organization.