The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-04
DIR. J. VIM. JONES SPEAKS
TELLS THE CITY SCHOOL BOARD
WHITITClN 10.
Discard Barnes Trave~ty Upon History-In
the Fight to stay-Other
Letters.
TO the Editor OF The Tines:


Sir.-On my return 10 Virginia, after an
absence of over two months, have seen
In your paper the facts concerning the
action Of Lee Camp and the Sons OF
Confederate Veterans. protesting against
the use of Barnes History in the public
schools OF Richmond and Virginia. l
have noted the comments of my friends,
Hon. ]. Taylor EIlyson and Mr.. j. ii.
Capers. OF the City School Board. and of
Mr.. w. +. Fox. Superintendent OF
Schools, and | desire. In order that my
position in the matter may not DE his
understood. 10 say just this:
/. | DID not voluntarily thrust myself
into this controversy, but having recelV-
ed several letters from MI. +. W. Md
hood, secretary of the Il. Il. Lee camp
Sons OF Confederate veterans, teiilhs me
that his camp would make a hght on
Barnes History, and urging me 10 give
him some OF my objections to II, Jotted
down a few of the many that might be
made and sent him. l did not know that
he would read my letter before Lee Camp.
or that The Tines would publish any
part OF il; or, indeed, that my name Wouid
appear in the matter at all.
And yet | by no means complain OF
the course pursued. for l stand ready 10
vindicate my statements against All coi'i-
ers, whether members OF school podrus'
superintendent of schools, publishers OF
authors.
2. In reference to my previous contro-
versy on this question the recollection of
my friends whose opinions you quote
seems to be a little at fault.
The facts were simply these Nhen
Dr.. William II. Ruffner was superinten-
dent Of Public instruction he requested
me to give my opinion OF the use OF
Barnes History in our schools-the Clty
School Board Of Richmond having adopt
ed this book contrary TO the State law, as
Or. Ruffner held-and ! RESPONDED In a
letter which Or. Ruffner published in the
official department Of the Virginia Edu-
cational Journal. He preixed an editorial
note. in which he sad that / had made
out my case, and that Barnes history
was not ~ to be used in our schools.
The author of Barnes History made
reply which he entitled. "A conclusive
replv to Rev J. William jones'" and the
publishers scattered this broadcast IN
pamphlet form. / rejoned in the Educa-
tional Journal and after showing mp MS
gross errors, glaring ignorance, ana par
tisan spirit. ! insisted that the author
reply to me was conclusive MS own
utter incompetency 10 write history TOT
Southern schools.
The result OF this controversy was that
the CITY School Board Of Richmond pan
.shed Barnes History from the schoois-
but whether because II was unht TOT
use i'm Southern schools. or because IL
was decided that they could not use
book not on the State list, | never learn
cd. / had accomplished my object, ana
pursued the matter no further
3 shall await with interest the
further DEVELOPMENTS Of this controversy.
and all | ask Is IAN open field ana
fair fight" and q trust / say IT win
becoming modesty) l do not fear the
odds OF the American Book trust.
combined with the Superintendent OF
Schools for the city Of Richmond.
! think | can show, 10 the satisfaction
Of all true Virginians and Coniederates'
that the United Confederate Veterans
the Grand Camp of Virginia the Sons
of Confederate Veterans. and X. T.. Lee
Camp are right in the action they have
taken. and that it is not putting 1t
too strongly 10 say that we should keep
W the fight until we Danish this tray
esty upon history from our schools.
As for what the School Board can
do" it seems TO me that it Is perfectly
clear that. under the law, the city School
Board can exchange Baines for either
Holmes. Hansen or Shinn-the three
other books IN the State list-and 1t -
to be deyoutly hoped that when the
present contract expires. the state Board
will forever Danish from our schools TINS
Yankees partisan history, and put on
the list only the histories If Southern
authors. some twelve Of which have al
ready been published. with more to
follow. OF which have heard. and others
no doubt. which have not yet De"n an
nOunccd. j. WILLIAM JONES.
The Miller School. Crozet Post-office, Va,
September 2, 1880.