Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-11-09
THE HISTORY COMMITTEE


organization of the Grand Camp of Con.
federate Veterans of Virginia that has
attracted such interest as the charges
that one or more members of the his.
tory committee of that body are alleged
to be attorneys for the American Book
Company, of New York. To clearly
appreciate the gravity of this charge, It
must be understood that upon this
committee largely devolyed the duty of
aiding in the movement to eliminate
from the schools of this State histories
that were partisan in their treatment of
the civil war. The most conspicuous
of these works was, it is claimed
Barnes's History of the United States
controlled by the American Book Gem.
pany, of New York.
Grand Commander Stubs and all of
the other veteran members OF the hjs.
tory committee have made a positive
denial of any connection with the
American Book Company. Despite
these denials, General Brander yesler.
day said that he had heard of nothing
which changed his mind regarding the
necessity ofthe appointment ofthe com.
mittee of Investigation asked for BY
the resolution adopted by the Lee
camp Friday night. Commander Stubs
is expected there tomorrow and vii!
then probably announce the committee
which he is asked to appoint.
Grand Commander Cox, of the Sons
of Veterans, yesterday received the fol-
lowing letter OF resignation from Mr..
Minetree Fowlkes, who was a member
of the history committee Il hereby
tender my resignation as member of
the history committee of the Grand
Camp, Sons of Confederated Veterans,
Department of Virginia. In my capaci.
ty as lawyer, l am connected with
certain publishing houses, and do not
think the two offices consistent. was
appointed on the committee October y.
1897. and have never attended auy
meeting whatsoever"
General Brsnder, the author of the
Lee Camp resolutions which asked for
the appointmentof committee to in.
vestiRate these charges, would have
nothing to say ss to the evidence
in his possession, or who are
expected to be called as wit.
pesses when the committee shall be
created. Others who are understood
to be fully informed as to the nature of
the testimony, which is proposed to be
us d in support OF the allegations, claim
it is strong.
The question was asked last night
whether the resignation OF Mr.. Fowlkes
as member of the history committee
will change the scope of the investiea-
tons. 1t is not believed that /, will.
Mr. Fowlkes is bright young lawyer
in Richmond, who has taken an active
part in the affairs OF the Sons of Vete-
rams and is extremely popular not only
in veteran circles, but socially as well
as professionally.
10 response to telegram, Mr.. James
M. Carnett, of Baltimore, who is a
member of the history committee,
writes to Richmond that he is in no way
connected with the American Book
Company. He has, Mr.. Carnett says,
been residing 10 Baltimore for more
than year and has not attended any
of the meetings of the committee since
June. 1895. He expresses the desire
that the fullst investigation will be
made.
A letter from Richmond to the Fe-
tersburg Appeal says: Grand Com
mander Stubs is expected to reach
here today or tomorrow. He will
probably appoint his committee with
out any delay and the investigation
may begin the latter part of this week.
The Sons committee had no informal
conference yesterday and decided
to await the appointment of
the Veterans committee before 60
ing to work. These matters are
the talk of the town and have
caused great sensation. All sorts o;
rumors are ahoat, some of them, no
doubt, greatly exaggerated. In the
event the investigation develops a
scandal it is likely to be big one. But
if it be shown that the charges are
without foundation it will be bad
thing for those who brought the
charges"