The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-09
The INVESTIGATION TO-DAY.
1t Will Be Conducted With Open Dcs0
at Lee Camp HALL.
MANY WITNESSES ARE TO TESTIFY.
The Committee Determined to Probe the
Matter to the Bottom without Fear or
Favor--The Investigation Probably
Lengthy Many EumoTs Current.

Some sensational developments are ex-
pected TO result from the meeting OF the
committee appointed 10 investigate
charges against members OF the History
Committee OF having been I'm the en-
ploy of the American Book Company. of
New York, and Of having received COM
pensation for such employment, the same
being calculated to be detrimental to the
work and influence of the Grand Camp OF
Confederate Veterans OF Virginia.
The committee appointed to investigate
the above charges met at Murphys Hotel
yesterday morning al 10 O'Clock, there be-
ing present Chairman Mlcajah Woods.
Colonel W. A. Smoot. Captain o. u. Nor
gan. and Judge Bergman Green. Adju-
tant-General Thomas Elicit was also pres
ent in the capacity OF secretary, and also
Majors Norman V. Randolph and Thomas
A. Brander
FORMULATING PLANS.
At IL o'clock the committee was com
pleted by the arrival from Norfolk OF
captain Washington Taylor. The commit.
tee then. behind closed doors. began te
formulate plans for the prosecution OF the
task before them, in which business they
were engaged until o'clock.
At that hour the chairman announced
that the committee had determined to be-
gin its investigation at II o'clock thii
morning az Lee Camp Hall, and that the
proceedings would be open to the public.
lie also said that number Of witnesses
would be summoned. but that the com.
boI f,.i.
names for the present.
Yesterday afternoon the committee held
another session. which was devoted to the
consideration Of means to get the wit
ncsses TO be promptly on hand, In ordes
that the work might be completed az
speedily az possible.
Adjutant-General Elicit was bnslly en-
gagged during a great part OF yesterday
afternoon in issuing summonses to those
parties who are believed 10 have informa-
ton bearing on the subject.
The chairman OF the committee yester-
day afternoon was OF the opinion that
the work I'm hand could be completed I'm
day or two. but a member. who was
interrogated on the subject last night.
seemed TO eb of the opinion that several
days would be consumed In the inyestlga-
tiOn.
The members OF the committee. who are
all men of intellect and OF the highest
character. are determined to probe the
grave charges which have been made 10
the very bottom. no matter how much
time may be consumed In the work.
CLEAR THE INNOCENT.
II is the general feeling in the commit
tee that although their task Is a painful
one, yet II is duty which must be per-
formed order that the guilty may alone
bear the stigma which now rests upon all
OF the members of the History Committee.
As is but natural. there Is much spec
ulation on all sides as 10 what members
OF the History Committee will be affected
by the charge. and while no one will
take the responsibility Of attempting 10
fix upon the guilty parties In advance OF
the investigation. II Is generally believed
that some most startling facts will be
adduced.
There are rumors current In which
checks for considerable amounts handed
over to parties, whose identity Is yet
yelled by the mist OF the future, bear an
important part.
The interest which has been daily grow
ing since the adoption of Major Brander's
resolution on the night Of November 5th
last. il now az fever heat. and Lee Camp
Hall as large as II IL, will hardly com
fortabiy accommodate those who Will
gather 10 hear the testimony.
The action OF the Committee I'm decid-
ing to hold open sessions is approved by
all and is received as a substantial token
Of their wish TO stir the matter TO the
very bottom regardless OF who may be
blasted by the facts brought 20 light.
The assembling Of this committee to-
day is regarded by the Confederate Vete-
rams as the beginning Of a crusade, which
will be pushed 10 the bitter end. against
the misleading and erroneous histories,
which for too many years already have
been used In the schools OF the State.
NO DISGRACEFUL TRAFFIC..
The Grand Camp OF Virginia has deter
mined that II will have no trafficking
with Northern hook concerns I'm a matter
which affects the honor OF the Southern
soldier. and though the developments
brought out by this investigation may
bring disgrace and ruin 10 some. they
hold that Il IS far better than for the
children Of brave men to be taught thai
their fathers were rebels and towards.
This then is the spirit with which tho
committee enters upon tho task which
has been assigned 10 Il. and II VIII hew
to the line. let the chips fan where they
may.