The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-29
Grand Army Posts Seek
ing to Have Turpin's
Volume Excluded.
BOOK CRITICISES
MIR. LINCOLN TOO
Work of Richmond Authoress
Saying Lee Was Offered
Command OF Union Ar
mics is Not Relish
ed by Men Who
Wore Blue.
" WAITER EDWARD HARRIS.

BY WAITER EDWARD HARRIS.
WASHINGTON, d. c.. August 2s.L-
Because Turpin's Short Stories From
American History" textbook in use
in the public school of the district tells
of the recommendation of Robert f.
Lee to President Lincoln by General
Scott as the best man to take COM
1nand of the Union armies at the out
break Of the war. and of Mr.. Lincoln's
offering the exalted position to Cen
eral Lee, the Grand Army posts OF the
District OF Columbia, have made vio-
lent protest. and the school board Win
hear still further from them on the
subject.
The protesting resolutions have been
adopted at star chamber sessions Of
the various posts. SO that It Is i'm
possible to ascertain precisely the ma
fure Of the discussions preceding. nor
how far objection to the book extends.
1T is known, however. that objection
is based chiefly as stated above and
upon the alleged facts that the char
acter OF President Lincoln is not treat
ed in that favorable light TO, which
1T is entitled by reason of his exaltea
station and the part he played in tne
country's history.
Objection is made also to the manner
in which the character OF General Lee
* treated 1t being held that more than
his due of praise Is given him. Spe-
ciai objection is made to the following
passage:
General Scott said (speaking to
President Lfncoln): Robert e. Lee Ia
the best soldier / ever saw In the field.
lie will show himself the foremost
captain of his time. Make him chief
of the army" SO President Lincol,,
sent and asked Lee to take charge OF
his army"
Bonrd VIII Not Discuss.
a member OF the school board stated
this afternoon that q representative OF
the Grand Army had been to see him
with reference to the book. but that nc
conclusion had been reached as to what
would he done concerning Il; but he
added that che school board was COM
posed of intelligent men and women
who felt competent to handle the busi-
ness OF the public schools, ard that the
board preferred not to be disturbed by
public clamor. One of the board Is a
negro
1t is said the matter will be brought
up al tho national encs smpment of the
Grand Army at Saratoga next month
but this is also denied. Arestus S.
Perlam, who occupies the highly Inn
Jortant position of patriot instructor
for Burnside Post. of this city. said
he did not think the matter would be
discussed at Saratoga.
'.-All that has been said and done
has been said and done behind closed
doors said Mr.. Perham. "We do not
intend to take the public into our
confidence In this natter
The book has been used in the
Washington schools for six or seven
years as a supplemental study. 1t was
written by Miss Edna Henry Lee Tur-
pin. Of Richmond. The board recently
issued an order for $50 additional copies
of the history for use during the. cur
rent year. 4E
Inquiry for the volume at the Ii
brary of Congress this afternoon elic-
tied the fact that the intelligent cata-
1oguers had classified the history un-
der the head of "fiction."