The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-03-02

NOUC AlOM hCVs MAs 1uUmpSVus
Below we print letter from Rev. Zenas
Thompson of Mechanic Falls.who feels that he
has been unjustly used by tho PRESS. Mr..
Thompson has for years been fearless and
faithful temperance advocate, positive in his
convictions and bravely accepting the conse-
quence of fheir advocacy.
PORTLAND, Feb. %, 1874
To the Editor of the Press:
Please allow me opportunity to correct in
you next issue the version of my remarks at
the City Hall yesterday, as given in your paper
of that date.
In that report am made to say, 81 have
been told, and believe the tale, that the City
Marshal of Portland has been importuned to
close an infamous rum hole on the Sabbath and
had declined. saying it was none of his bust
ness" g-earss ..r -y. ~ .-..r
Now what did say was this: I have been
informed, ard believe the information correct,
that the attention of the City Marshal has been
called to an Infamous rum hole that was kept
open on the Sabbath as well as other days, and
that his answer was, 1T is not my business. y
If your reporter is unable to comprehend the
difference in the two statements, it is not my
fault; your readers can.
would further say with respect to the City
Marshal, that have had pleasant personal
interview with him, and that he so explains
the situation IN which he has been placed as to
show he is not especially to blame for the non
enforcement of the liquor laws in the city OF
Portland the past year. And | would add that
ings sowsrdsthe city Marsial Or any other Of:
fetal of the city of Portland. And now a word
in reference to another part of the report. 1t is
said, II drec an entirely untrue picture Of the
condition Of Portland DC.
Now. Mr.. Editor, l would like to now
whether reporter permitted to occupy chair
and a stand on the platform among the speak
or IN 10 mi of ".
lege, when instead of reporting what speak
er did say, leaving the pnbliC to Judge of it's
wisdom and truth, he charges him, in a very
summary and self important manner, with
closing his remarks with statements, ''eY,tirely
u7trueg' tR-8 sfs
If such are the privileges of reporting then
they are no longer reporters" but commenta-
tors, critics and reviewers, and should be SO re-
garded.
And add that had the PRESS admitted to
its columns an article [ sent for publication a
few weeks ago, it's reporters and the public
might have been better informed on this par
ticular feature of the condition of Portland !"
But the article was withdrawn from the Office
after it had LAIN there four weeks and had lost
much of its significance by lapse of time
q. THOMPSON.
After this vigorous onslaught, Mr.. Thomp-
son cannot censure us if we take our turn at
explanation even if we do not indulge in the
place Mr.. Thompson is unfortunate, because a
large number of persons understood his re-
marks relative to Marshal Parker just as our
reporter gave them. In the second place, if a
reporter, who is familiar with the city has
reason to believe that statement is exagger-
ated, should he be debarred from saying SO?
As to representatives Of the press being permit
ted to occupy place on the stand, the daily
papers having given from $25 to $40 each to adj
vertise the meeting, and consequently expend-
ing more for its success than any other party,
wouldn't the just bit ''cheeky" to say that
they had no right there, unless they printed
just what speeches they were permitted?
As to the communication alluded to
we were willing to publish the part criti-
cising churches, political parties, etc.,
but from an intimate personal
knowledge of the condition of the city as re-
CARDS intemperance, we were satisfied that the
picture of drunkenness in the streets was en-
tirely ouerprought-a fact that we would have
discussed with the writer had he called upon
US, We felt that he was mistaken, for in con-
nection with the letter, it was stated that the
writer was so out of health as not often to be
able to be out on the streets. On the other
hand, the representatives of the PRESS are
about day and night, and consequently
have right to believe that they have better
opportunity to know of the extent of intemper-
ance on the streets than a gentleman who de-
ponds upon heresay for the greater part of his
information. That there is considerable
drunkenness in Portland there is no doubt, but
there is not city in the United States with its
population and location with reference to trade
that has so little But to read some accounts
and hear some speeches, one might believe that
every third man was a Keeling drunkard, and
drunkards were used for curb stones, which is
an exaggeraton and an outrageous Islander up
on an altogether decent community. 4