Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/153

 VIRGINIA'S PART IN THE RESTORATION OF THE NAME OF JEFFERSON DAVIS TO THE CABIN JOHN BRIDGE, AT WASHINGTON, D. C.

Report of the Virginia Committee, Mrs. J. Enders Robinson, Richmond, Va., June 1, 1909.

Mrs. W. J. Behan, President, and Members of the Confederated Southern Memorial Association, New Orleans, La.: Ladies,—I now have the honor to report Virginia's part in the restoration of the name of Jefferson Davis to its place on the famous "Cabin John Bridge," the aqueduct, at Washington, D. C.

Under date of June 15, 1907, our President, Mrs. Behan, notified me of my appointment to the C. S. M. A., "Cabin John Bridge" Committee. I accepted at once. In July, 1907, Mrs. Behan apointed the Louisiana Congressman, Mr. Adolph Meyer, to represent the C. S. M. A. in all communications with the United States Government relating to our object of restoration.

During the summer of 1907, through correspondence with Mrs. Behan, two policies were decided on by Mr. Meyer, General Stephen D. Lee, Mrs. Behan and myself. These policies were: first, to avoid all newspaper mention, and, second, to ask that the name of Mr. Davis be restored by a Commission of the War Department. We decided that legislation should be our last resort. With these policies clearly understood, each one took up the work as assigned.

Within my jurisdiction (Virginia) there was little to do until April, 1908. During that month I learned that the Hon. C. C. Carlin, of the Eighth Virginia District, had introduced a bill in Congress, asking why the name of Jefferson Davis had been erased from the bridge. I wrote him, inquiring if this was true. He replied as follows:

April 28, 1908.

113 Third Street, South, Richmond, Va.:

Dear Madam,—I have your favor of the 22A inst., and for your information will say that I have introduced a resolution