The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-24
THE COMMIT TEE
ON HISTORY
Interesting Meeting at Lee Camp
Hall Last Night.
AGAINST : CERTAIN HI STORIES
Refuse TO Accept DIR. McGuirc's Rcsis-
na,ion-JudSc George u. Chris
tian Made Chairman
Pro Tenn.
AGAINST CERTAIN HI STORIES

There was an Informal meeting of a
portion Of the members of the History
COMMITTEES OF the Grand Camps of Con-
Tolerate Veterans and Sons OF Veterans
OF Virginia al Lee Camp Hall at ESQ
O'Clock yesterday evening.
Action WAS taken on several matters OF
importance, but 1t was understood 10 be
not binding on the committee, as there
was not d quorum OF the members present.
On motion of DR.. Tucker. Judge George
l.. Christian was called to the chair and
Captain Thomas Elicit was made secTe-
tary.
DIR. INQUIRE RESIGNS.
Captain Elicit rend a letter from l'r-
Stuart Mcclure. rendering the resignation
of his father chairman of the t4stofv
Committee on account of ill-health.
Dr Tucker thought the resignation
should not be accepted. and that Dr.. Nc
CURE Should remain at The head OF the
committee, even though he might not be
able TO intend actively 10 the duties OF
chairman. This was the unan nous sen
tmcnt of the members, and DR. Tucker
was requested 10 reply to the letter from
DR.. Stuart Mcclure. expressing the sor-
row Of the committee al the continued i'll
ness of his distinguished father. and say
ing that they had declined 10 accept his
resignation.
JUDGE CHRISTIAN TO ACT.
Captain Enzlewood suggested that the
Grand Commander, General Stith Bell
Ing. Of Petersburg, who present. APP
20 mt a temporary chairman to act during
DIR. McGuire's Illness. General Boiling
announced the appointment of Judge
George L. Christian as the unanimous
choice of the members Of the committee.
Judge Christinn thanked the commit
tee and General Boiling for their conf
dence. and a'd he would take the matter
under advisement, hut that it did not suit
him at all TO accept on account of his
health and business pressure.
AS To HISTORIES.
Br Joseph W. S9uthall, Superintendent
Of Public instruction, was present and was
asked by Chairman Christian what was
the prospect of getting ITiske's History
and Cooper. 5still & Lemons Our Coun-
try off the list of books taught IN the pub
liz schools Of the State
D. Southall then explained how these
DOCKS had gotten on the list, and said in
the great rush Of business incident to the
adoption of the school books. the Board
had understood that Our Country was
desired by the History Committee
NONE SATISFACTORY.
he said that none of the histories before
the Board We're satisfactory and that Mr.
Fiske promised 10 revise his. but the Sec
ST.
DR.. Southau said he was of opinion that
the contracts between these publishers and
the State Board was binding for four years.
s, that the books, he thought would have
II remain on the State list hut by a recent
act of the Legislature the county and
city School Boards had the right to recede
from their action and adopt other books
On the list al any time they saw fit He
said that Ffske'S History had been adopted
by only one county in the State. and that
county was Henry.
FEW IN Use NOW.
Lynchhurg and Stanton were the only
cities that had adopted that book, so that
II was practically out OF use in the State
at present
He said that ifty-etght counties were
using Jones History: tnirty-three Lee 8:
sixteen Jones and Lees; seven Cooper, Es-
till & Lemons. while only Henry county
had adopted Fishes.
DR.. Southali said the Board was as SEN
sitire about the matter as were the mem
bers Of the History Committee. and he
spoke the sentiments OF his colleagues
when he said that they would do all in
their power to give the people satisfac-
tory history for the public schools OF the
State.
TO STOP THEIR USE
a resolution offered by Colonel Mann was
adopted. providing that Rev DR.. Beverly
~
The views of the History Committee con-
demnlng these books, and containing the
criticisms of Dr. Tucker and Captain Car
Ter r Bishop, OF Petersburg, on Fisl1e' s
History. and that Rev. s. Taylor Martin,
of Pulaski, be requested 10 prepare a criti-
cisrn on the second edition of Our Coun-
try to be included in the statement of DR..
Tucker. and that copies he printed and
mailed to the clerks of the several county
School Boards in the State. and to the
superintendents Of the city schools, asking
them to discontinue the use OF these books
In the public schools of the State
There were some suggestions about the
appointment of committee to write 4
satisfactory history, but the matter Went
over without action.
HARMONY PREVAILED
The meeting was very harmonious, and
there was no debate on any subject
Those present were: General Stith Boil
ing Of Petersburg. Grand Commander of
Confederate Veterans OF Virginia: Colonel
James Mann, of Nottoway: Judge George
/. Christian, of Richmond: Dr.. Beverly
D. Tucker, of Norfolk: DR.. Il. a. Brock
Captain NJ w Lakewood, Captain Thom
Elicit, OF Richmond; and DR.. Joseph w
southaIl. Superintendent of Public Irstruc-
tons.
The Grand Camp of Confederate Neter-
ans. of Virginia. Will meet at Stanton on
Wednesday October 10th. in regular an
nual session, when the matter Of histories
will no doubt be again discussed
Sketch of Mr.. Charles Ellis.