The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-11

mine whether or not those checks in any
way connected Colonel Stubs with youf-
self as agent OF the American Book Com
pany or with the American Book Com
pany. This committee conceived that, af-
ter the checks were admitted 10 he genu-
inc. ana the endorsements were admitted.
and also the fact Of money having passed
upon them, they had nothing TO do with
the source from which they came. n
lengthy investigation might. perhaps. be
made upon that question but IT wouid
make no difference with this committee
whether those checks were gotten lesl'i-
mately or surrepttionsly or whether they
were found. That IS not the subject OF.
investigation before this committee. me
checks are here they are admitted TO be
genuine. and IL makes no difference 10
this committee how they were obtained.
In view OF the fact that the checks were
admitted as genuine checks, and every
thing on their face was admitted, this
committee did not think 1t was their
province to 20 into an investigation as 20
where those checks came from. since they
were before us. That investigation we
consider clearly a collateral one.
We can very well conceive how the
average citizen. and every man who has
heard the testimony. as a matter of Curl
osity would like 10 know how those
checks were gotten. So far as this COM
mittee is concerned. IT Is immaterial 10
us whether the checks We're found. stolen
or gotten otherwise. The checks are here
before us. and that Is a question We de-
rlre not TO 80 into. We have our own
curiosity on that point but we do not
f. fol hf. Irr1G ~ HH
mittee on a mater that We think irrele-
want.
General Hundley: I do not propose 10
say anything more at TINS point than this:
That am unwilling that that statement
made by tho Chairman shall go out TO the
public without my prOtest-namely, that
this is a matter Of idle curiosity.
The Chairman: / did not say idle curl
osity
General Hundley: | protest against e.
and desire my protest entered on record
that so far from il being a matter Of
idle curiosiey. in my humble Judgment as
a lawyer and man, this is "a matter OF
the utmost Importance 10 this investga-
ton. loud applause)
The Chairman: ! Will state 10 my friend.
General Hundley. for whose opinions and
whose views / have the highest respect
that did not use the expression. as l re-
member, thot II was a matter of idle
curiosity ! mentioned the fact that il
was n matter Of curiosity 10 the citizens
and 20 us: but. however that may be.
| said that We did not consider that 10
was a question that affected this invcsti-
CATION. The fact that the checks are be-
fore us. and that they are admitted 70 be
true. ended our investigation on that
point. and we declined TO 20 into an in
vestigation that might dctain MS here
some time. but which could not affect tho
ultimate result.
Mr.. Womack: With your permission. 7
will say that it is Of the utmost import
ance TO know how those checks came into
the hands OF the marty who delivered
them 10 this committee. because whoever
exposed those checks did something he
ought 10 be punished for.
MAY SUE THE BANK.
The Chairman: That is something for
you to investigate.
The Witness: lie ought 10 be punished
for It. because that is what caused this
whole investigation and all Of this Juror
in the State. People would say on the
streets that those checks showed that
money went from the American Book
Company 10 a member Of the History
Committee as a member Of that commit
tee.
Judge Green: Did you ever ask the
bank what they did with your checks?
A. No. sir: because ! never called for
them until the other day.
Q. ! ask that because the check was
properly in your possession or in that of
the bank.
A. Yes. sir and 7 am going 10 find out
how they got out Of there. or else I will
sue the bank for damages
Judge Grcren: II you want 70 find that
out. you can do So hut it Is not for this
committee 10 find out what became Of
your checks.
The Chairman: I will read your COM
munication now. Mr.. Womack. and see
what its contents are. before I express
an opinion as 10 whether we will admit IT.
Chairman Woods examines witness
written statement.
The Chairman: This paper, which IS
addressed by you to the Dispatch. you
ask TO he read in connection with this
investigation. We have no objection TO
its being read, If you state in connection
with It what you stated here-as TO your
reasons for not appearing heretofore
that you did not care 10 discuss the pri-
vate affairs OF your company. / will
state that this committee has no desire
10 go into the private affairs OF the
American Book Company, except in so
far as they may be connected win the
bringing OF improper influences 10 bear
on members Of the History Committee
OF the Grand Camp.
Judge Green: | move that the paper be
allowed to be read, as the witness desires
It. but that it not be made a part Of tho
record.
THE STATEMENT
Witness then read his statement re-
ferred TO. as follows
Editor Of The Dispatch:
Dear sir:-Some OF my friends have
asked me why ! did not go before the In
vestigating Committee OF the Sons OF
Confederate Veterans and volunteer my
testimony. inssmuch as my name had
been mentioned in Connection with the sub
ject under investigation. In order TO