Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-10

!, l
There was another reason which in
| huenced me- / did not desire that tnC
| then existing status should be maintain
ed. 1 wanted change. If | had ac-
cepted commandership il was quite cleai
that the chairman of the History Com
mittee would have been continued I'm MS
position, and / knew that that gentleman
had had dealings with Mr.. j. w. Womack
the agent OF the American Book Com
pany, the concern which is supplying TO
Virginia the very books against which
we are waging war, and l did not very
well see how he could at once be faithful
to the interests of that corporation and
yet Jealous in behalf Of the work Tor
which our History Committee was
| created.
L do not sit in Judgment on the methods
or opinions Of Colonel Stubs. 1t was
not for ne to call I'm question his lawful
traffic with any man. | simply say that
our views were evidently wide apart, and
| therefore declined to take joint action
with him in a matter which would de-
| mand unity of purpose in very nigh
degree. / am speaking Of this matter as
| IL appeared to me before Colonel Stubs
| had made his denial of ever having had
| business relations with the American
| Book Company.
WHY HE RESIGNED.
On reading over the proceedings Of the
| camp I learned that | had been APP
pointed chairman Of the History Com
| mttee. and, Furthermore, to my utter dis
| may, that Colonel Stubs, by vote Of the
camp, had been added to that committee,
| 1 instantly resigned. Some side lights on
| this question were cast by the persistent
attempts which were made on the floor
of Lee Camp Hall and elsewhere to cap
ture the Hunter Mcguire meeting, and 10
turn over it's resolutions to the History
Committee, thus indicating a purpose TO
absorb and control the rich fruits of that
meeting rather than to permit their
bene1cent influence TO go forth through
out the length and breadth of the State.
As revelation Of the real attitude OF
those who have managed the school-bOok
question of late years, II is worthy OF
note that the gentlemen who spoke i'm
behalf of Mr.. Massey on last Thursday
night were strong in their defence OF
Barnes's History, declaring that it does
not teach that the Confederates were
rebels and insurrectionists. and thus
proving that they have never read that
book And the five-years' chairman OF
our History Committee uttered no pro-
test, but steadily supported Mr.. Massey
from beginning 10 end.
VIII merely add that If Colonel Stubs
should think IL worth his while to ex-
plain the nature Of the service which he |
Book Company. and for which that book |
company's agent, Mr.. w. j. Womack, |
gave him a check for 500, and IL he will |
reconcile that transaction with his decla-
ration that he has never had any bust
ness OF any kind with that company. and
II, moreover, he will take the trouble TO
familiarize himself with the school his
tories which are being taught throughout |
the state, l shall be very glad to revise
the opinions which have been forced upon
me, and to cooperate with him in any
way for the attainment OF those objects
which should be dear to every Confede-
rate heart But, i'm the mean time, must
plead the right to stand aloof
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN CUssoNS
CHECK SHOWN TO HIM.
Captain Cussons was questioned by
Chairman Woods as to how he first
1t was shown to him, ne said. by Mr..
Greer Baughman prior to witnesses resig-
nation from the History Committee.
Coming 10 the Stubs circular about
Shinn's History, Captain Cussons said:
/ received a circular letter a year ago
last spring. and forwarded IL to the man
next in order; L believe 1t was Captain
NY idea was that between
Shinns and Barnes's 1 preferred Shnn's.
cannot recolect the endorsement which
made. / can only say that that was
my attitude, and is now, towards the
two books, and my, endorsement would
q. In connection with the election OF
Grand Commander, did you have any con-
yersation with Colonel Stubs; and il so,
If you can recall il, state II?
A. / had no conversation with Colonel
Stubs at any time prior to the election,
except reply to a simple question. 1
Was standing IN Murphy Hotel, at the !
desk. and ne drew me aside and asked
me II ii was true that had stated that
Under no circumstances would l accept
and serve a second term as Grand Com
nander My reply was as | have stated
hat under no circumstances would
10 so.
SAW MIR. MASSEY ONCE
Replying question from the chairman,
Captain Cussons said:
The only occasion on which / met the
,tlnerlUt pndpnf a |
n the Hall of the House of Delegates. 1
hink on the occasion OF a called meeting
If the History Committee OF the Grand
amp. That Is the only occasion on ,
which ] have ever seen the Superintend-
mt of Public Instruction 20 speak 10 him.
he question then being on putting books
hen asked what l thought OF Hanselrs
History. and Shinn's. l stated that pre- !
erred either OF them TO Barnes's then .
n use in the city OF Richmond and the ,.
which / allude was not simply meeting I
II the History Committee OF the Grand !
amp; IL was citizens meeting There 1
we're present some thirty or forty per- v
Ons. gentlemen engaged In educational O
work in the State; and this matter OF O
peninS the list 10 new books was dis
used: and 1t was stated that there $
you'd be a prospect OF getting on the list d
ither this Chambers Hanselrs History y
r the Shinn book. and l gave a qualified n
ssent 70 either Of those two books-that
). II the sole alternative should be be- %
ween them and Barnes's History. n
y. What i desired TO get at was this I v
Whether the committee as a committee, b
yer visited the Superintendent of Public o
or the Board Of Education h
e ever sent them formal cOmmunica- !.
lon giving their views?
A. Il am not aware that the committee .,
yer waited on the Superintendent OF PUB
C Instruction. The Superintendent or I,
'ublic instruction was invited as | I'M
erstand. TO attend that meeting at the n
iall OF the House OF Delegates. and did v
ttend; and this request was preferred by =
lembers OF the History Committee. ask
* him II he would have put on the list .
hose two books. and he replied fayorably =.
)ward the Shinn History II seemed 70 u
he 10 be better TO get very small scrap >.
han the nothing at all which we had =
cen achieving for year after year.
WANT WITNESSES TO REMAIN. h
Captain Cussons answered one or two y
lore questions. and the chairman said:
will state to the witnesses that the
)mmittee desire they shall remain here. y
'r the reason that parties interested may ! y
esire 20 examine them, and, OF course, 4
ley Will be at liberty TO DO so. Possibly |
irther on In the examination we our
Elves will have 10 recall some OF these N
entlemen. But II Is especially desired o
lat they shall be here present in case Il
ny party interested shall desire further Al
examine them. M
Mr.. Baughman Had the Checks.
Mr.. Greer H. Baughman testified as 10 n
Ie two checks that had been put IN n,
Tidence. He said: I saw the checks first 81
me time early In October. some time a.
eceding the meeting of the Grand Camp q,