The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-20
MAI, R. W. HUNTER
4 RACE / [
Will Not Accept Rcappointnent
as Secretary Of Military
III Records.
LETTER 10 MANN
Lee Camp Takes Action il, APP
probation Of His
Services. II

pTeCldtlOI Oh Ills
Services.
Major Robert W. Hunter, Secretary
Of Military Records of Virginia, wrote
to Governor Mann yesterday saying
that he would not accept the reap
pontment under existing circum-
stances. Hc pledges his best efforts
to aiding the work OF his successor,
and expresses the hope TINT tho Gov
ernor may be able to find "a soldier
and gentleman suitable for the posi-.
ton.
His letter to the Governor follows:
Hon. William Hodges Mann. Governor
OF virginia:
"sir.--As soon as ascertained that
the provision in the former acts OF the
Legislature in relation to tho office
OF Secretary OF Virginia Military Re.
cords. which required the recomme nda-
ton OF the commander OF the Grand
Camp of Confederate Veterans OF Vir.
glnia as a condition precedent and sine
qua non to any appointment to that
office by the Governor, had been omit
ted from the recent act, renlized that,
under the circumstances and Influences
surrounding you. you would naturally
avail yourself OF the power thus given
to name some other person than my
!. self for the office.
+, Without stopping. at present, 10
discuss the wisdom Of this change III
the mode OF appointment, or the new
ton OF the work. wish to- say that
L would not accept q reappointment
itunder existing conditions.
. II had prepared REPUTATION OF the
/ unfair anu GuIuuiiuea c.IIiclbuls# uf my
administration OF the office, made on
the floor OF the House Of Delegates.
/ during the closing hours OF the session
I just ended, blu, have concluded 1t was
best to defer. II not to forego entirely.
tits publication-in humble imitation OF
| the sublime self-control and silence
] with which General Lee. our great
! commander. met the harsh criticisms
! upon his failure to accomplish the Inn
/. possible In his campaign in West vlr-
| ginia- His only comment on them was,
While they were hard to hear. never
theless 1t was natural that such hasty
/! conclusions should be reached IT is
better. he added. not tn attempt a
/ Justification or defense. but to go stead
lily on in the discharge OF duty 70 the
best OF our ability, leaving all else
to the calmer Judgment OF the future
/, and to kind Providence
although the work so far done
may not be appreciated nv those who
are unaware of It's difficulties, 1t will
ever be to mo most gratifying re-
Election. that. through the agency OF
my Office, muster rolls Original and
secondary. embracing the names OF
upwards of 100000 Virginia soldiers.
have been collected. which wouId, in n
few short years. probably. have been
lost forever, but for their timely res
i cue.
1 Having originally undertaken the
work. with less regard to It's emolu-
ment than to the earnest wish to be
/, OF service to my State and my old
| comrades. will be glad to AFFORD such
| aid as may he in my power to the new
3 appotntee. in the difficult task before
i him.
/! In conclusion, permit me to ex-
I. press the hope that you will BIO abs to
!! find for the Office a soldier and a gem
/ tleman, who can carry on Its imports
| ant work more efficiently than I have
done.
Very respectfully,
!. "R 0s.TRT w HUNTER"
! Lee Camp Takes Action. z
At the meeting OF r. q. Leo Camp
NO. !. Confederate Veterans held FRI
day night. Major Hunter made quite an
Interesting talk about the work CT
the Military Secretary. He assured his
comrades that he did not intend tc
! sulk In his tent. but would give t
the cause. as he hal dane In the past
/ the best efforts of his life Tho talk
/ OF Major Hunter made a profound i'm
i preston. and many thought that II he
]! had been given further tlmo he could
have demonstrated that his work was
of value and would yet be app reciatod
NO mans work can be Judged In
i an unfinished state.' said one Of the
/ speakers. THE building being erected
does not appeal to the artistic tastes
but when completed and stripped OF
the scaffolding it stands q thing OF
beauty and a Joy forever
The following resolution was unani-
mously adopted by the camp:
Resolved, That r. p. Les Camp. No
4 !. Confederate Veterans. heartily In
dorso the patriotic and able work Of
4 our beloved comrade. Major Robert w
\ Hunter. In his conduct Of the difficult
.:8office Of Secretary OF virginias Hillary
/: Records. and hereby express Its hearty
thanks to him for his efforts to pre-,
serve to posterity the names Of oul
comrades living and dead"