The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-10
Richmond, Va, Dec. 0. 1897.

Richmond, Va, Dec. ., 1897.
The committee appointed TO in
vestiGatc the charges that GER
tain members OF the History Com
mittec OF the Grand Camp OF Confcd-
crate Veterans of Virginia were III the
employ of the American Book Company
began its investigation this morning.
Major Thomas Brandcr. the first wilt
ness examined, testified as to The ru-
mors that led 10 the investigation. and
stated that these rum0rs had gradually
settled down upon one or two, and the
specific charge was now against the
Grand Commander, Colonel James N
S:ubbs, also that he had seen paper of
the American Book Company which was
payable 10 Colonel Stubbs. that this pa
per consisted of two checks signed by
j. w. Womack. who is currently re-
norted to be in The employ of the Amer
ifan Book Company. One check was
ftr 5000 and the other for $50
Majo: n. Y. Randolph testified in re-
gard 10 the checks that they were In
his possession.
Upon request of Captain Woods, Major
Randolph produced the checks in ques-
ton and read the writing on them in
fuli To the committee. The first was
for 5000, signed by j. w. Womack and
made payable to James N Stubbs The
date was Petersburg, October 1G. 1894,
and Hhc check was endorsed "pay to the
Planters National Bank" and endorse
ment was signed ]. y. Stubbs The
second check bore the date petersburg,
October lG. 1894" and was for $50, also
deposited for collection at the Planters
Bank and endorsed by ]. y. Stubbsh.
Both checks were drawn an the Ma
tional Ban!t of Petersburg, ana their
endorsements showed That they had
passed through the Planters Bank of
Richmond
Captain lakewood testified that he
had heard the rumo:s concerning the
History Committee and had also been
told that there were suspicious checks
IN existence. This information. he said
had been given him by Mr. Greer II.
BluGhman, he Thought, but he had no
personal knowledge of the matter.
Colonel John Cussons, past grand COM
lander of the Camp, was then placed
on the stand, and there was, stir of
interest all through the house. He said
he resigned as n member of the History
Committee of the Grand Camp abou,
the .d.h Of October. Being asked for
the reasons which caused him to resign
Captain Cussons read a commune ton
netGmS forth his reasons. The COM
municat.on, among other things. says:
- year ago my comrades called me to
the great place OF commander Of the
Grand Camp. I should have shrunls
alike from the hOnors and fIom the res
possibilities Of the post had ] no: felt
that by strenuous efforts toward 4 sin
gle end, n beginning might perhaps
be made in breaking UP the routine
which seemed 10 have fossiIacd on the
particular question. And 80, last sum
mcr. directed Adjutan; -Gcneral Ellct
10 keep the work OF the Grand Camp
well in hand. and particularly to asce--
tain what measures the History Com
mittee proposed 10 adopt. In answer to
this question, Chairmau Stubbs replied
that the proper time 10 make a fight
for such histories as the Grand Camp
might recommend would he mex: spring
when the Beard of Education should
award new contracts for the ensuing
four years. 7 feared that il might then
be too late: that n change so sweeping
as the one sought could hardly he at
tanned in :hat way. Superintendent
Massey, as the educational expert OF
the VotFd. Nau iOnS Decn lis contrDl1ng
spirit. ana lie seemed 20 be quite salts
fled with things a. they were. Ii thus
seemed that the only way In which our
schools could be rid Of .haSa false his
cor!ts would he by making an appeal
10 the best thought Of the State, and TO
that end sent out n circular letter,
which resulted in the magnificent as
snmbiage over which DIR. Hunter Nc
CURE WIS called to preside on che even
ing Of October lI,h.
"Ir taking this step did not con-
snit the chairman OF the History Com
mi!tea OF course, the measure was a
dist!nSt usurpation Of that committees
function; but wanted results and was
w!ll!Ag to take the consequences. Such
act!Gn Is obviously subvcrs!ve OF OFF,
c!Gl authority, and in Itself was to me
a sufficient reason for declining re-
election. But had also given my wcrd
20 the otIl9ar next In rank that under
no circumstances would ! accept n sec
end tarns ea g:aUd commander. There
sEaa another reason which influenced