The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-09-05
He Tells of the First Effort
of Gen r. E. Lee and Others
to Secure
pR17THFUL BOOKS FOR TIE
SOUTHERN SCHOOLS.
What Ras Been Accomplished
Attitude of United Confederate
Veterans.
Atlanta, Ga, Aug 80, 1900.

Atlanta, Ira, Aug 80, l9UU.
Mr. II. G. Osteeo. Sumter, S. c.
Dear Sir This letter is written at
the suggestion OF several South Carroll
mans.
More than 20 years ago / became
alarmed at the use of partisan sectional
5ooks in our schools With the approx
al of Gen. Robert E Lee. ard
other friends. l united in ao effort to
expel all auch books from Southern
schools, and as far as possible from
Northern schools also. gave num-
ber of years of earnest labor to this
,ause. Il became necessary to bave
new books written. and members of the
Faculty of the University of Virginia
and other Southern authors, among
shom was Commodore Maury were
employed. The University Publishing
Company was organized. and travelled
over the South raising money TO carry
:brough the patriotic work undertaken.
The combined opposition of rich pub-
Fishers of sectional books. aud the low
prices at ebich they were offered IN
ser.aiu contests, caused the University
Publishing Company for some years to
sose money but even while losing
money, it was aohieviug q great success
10 forcing other publishing houses to
change the character Of their books.
While the main Office Of the company
is in New York. ia order to give it
ssoili.ies for competing With other pub
aishers. much Of the work is done in
New Orleans and Nashville.
The company is under Southern
control, aud no sentence or sentiment.
.anfair to the South. can by any possi.
bility. escape the vig)snt eye of Major
Patton. who is president Of the COM
pany, and Mississippiau- am my
self, /. stoekholder and director in this
company and have been for twenty
yesrs or more
To my personal knowledge. no other
company has any stock 10 the Uolver-
sity Publishing Company. and no voice
whatever, directly or Indirectly in its
management or policies.
The company deserves the gratitude
of our people. think, because of the
great revolution it has caused in school
books aud histories while on the score
of merit alone, think it safe to say
that the books of this company are IN.
exeelled.
Ibsve gone into details in order that
you may clearly understand the facts.
Permit ne in conclusion. TO say With
emphasis, ths. this letter is written in
my personal capacity and no other.
The United Confederate Veterans, Of
vhish org.nizs.ion I have the honor Of
being the Commander. is entirely free
from partialisy to this or soy other
eompsny or business venture The
Association can properly endorse, and
docs endorse, books which the Histori
cal Committee may recommend - noo-
partisan bs. it would be utterly iu.
consistent with the objects for which the
United Confederate Veterans Was
ergauized, aud destructive to its very
life, for it 70 take any sction to promote
:he 6osncisi interest of any company
vhstever. 1t is scarcely necessary
for me to say sbas if the q. c. v,
organization should propose to endorse
the University Publishing Company or
any other concern engaged 10 an effort to
make money, / should do all 10 my
cover to prevent it.
/ am very truly yours,