The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-01-31
The Alleged History of Cumberland

| Moses G. Palmer, Esq, called the meeting
| to order, and after stating the purpose of the
| assemblage, Hon. John j. Perry was made
chairman and Alderman Cunningham chosen
| secretary.
William M. Sargent Esq, stated that he
| was one of the foolish virgins who was in
| duced to subscribe for the photograph album
under discussion. By specions promises and
adroitly worded contracts he had made him.
| self liable for work which not only was not
History, but was a wilful perversion of facts.
! He would have been satisfied if it had been
decent compilation of existing publications,
| but in those cases where they had printed his
| tories to ''crib" from they had distorted plain
| facts He said that he was coLversant with
| the early history of old North Yarmouth and
| had in this work noted over thirty gross
errors in that town alone. All this occurred
| when that town has been particularly we'll sup
piled with printed sketches of its early settle
ment. Gen. Edward Harris published town
history, Rev. David Shepley likewise, and at
the present time four volumes of a magazine
devoted 20 gathering historical material for
forthcoming history had been issued
Mr.. Sargent in the course of his remarks
| the book, told him that all the trouble had
been made by the notice in the PRESS Mr.
Sergent replied that he did not read the PRESS
notice until after he had examined the book
and made up hismind that it wasn't what he
had subscribed for. Though it did not influ-
ence him to the action he had taken he
thought the notice was very just
The following resolution was adopted by
rising vote:
Resolved, That the thanks of the citizens of
| Portland and Cumberland county are due to
Moses G. Palmer, Esq., for his labors in organ
izing this indignation meeting to ventllate this
| ingenious swindle.
Mr.. Palmer expressed his thanks for their
endorsement of his action and said that he had
no care for the price of the work, but he liked
some small percentage in return for an outlay.
He felt that this was the situation of all the
subscribers present to whom $12 was small
matter when honesty or fraud was in ques-
ton. He called for some expression of ap
prevail of the book if it had met with any.
An ominous silence brooded over the room.
Mr.. John j. Lappin related his experience
| with the canvassing fend who exhibited
specimen of the publication of Everts & Peck,
which should be model of the work for this
county. That was large book of 900 pages
and upon that representation, together with
| other promises about inserting family sketch
| he subscribed Neither promise was fulfilled
and he refused and should refuse to take it.
| A call was made for those who had paid for
the work and nine responded, while thirty
four raised hands to testify that they had not
and by the indignant, determined cast about
the lower jaws we think they do not mean to
pay
W. H. Simonton, Esq, rehearsed his griev-
ances at length, complaining of misrepresenta-
ton and fraud. He welcomed the idea of
history of this county and upon their solicita-
ton he prepared some sketches of early pio-
neers of Cape Elizabeth He wished also to
preserve therein some memorial of his ances-
tors who had settled at Simonton's Cove, but
they never applied for either. He had paid
for the book rather than have any fuss, but if
there was any way to make them disgorge he
would assist. The small amount OF money
was of no object but the time had come for US
to make them obnoxious in this section of the
country.
Edward lei. Daveis, Esq, was the next
speaker, and detailed the representations made
to him by their agents. He was deeply inter
ested in historical study, and after being thor
oughly duped by the many pleas and promises
of the canvassers he subscribed. He was as
sured that it was not to be a compilation OF ex-
listing histories, but original matter gathered
from old records and old inhabitants. He was
willing to pay for such work then and now,
but did not care to buy volume of obituaries
ond r,uctar-ro11c To had rafuSa1 to honor his
subscription signature, and should continue to
do so until the whole of the cheap transaction
was shown up to the public
General Anderson acknowledged in 'open
meeting his folly in aiding this County His
tory scheme by his signature. He supposed
that he was to have book that the county
needs, we'll written history of her progress
from the earliest times down to the present.
He knew that he was not morally bound to take
the work, and, deprecating law suits as much
as he did, the publishers would have to take
that course to get his subscription. cloud APP
plause.) He knew what history was as we'll as
the publishers, but he had yet to learn that it
consisted of poor wood cuts, cheap Autographs
and autobiographies. He wanted to let the
publishers know that they could not play their
game much longer, and he warned the people
of York County to beware of ready-made his
tories They have already started similar
conglomeraton out there, and would soon plas-
ter the State over with their cheap literature
The word is to resist at all cost any payment
on this publication, and to spread before the
people of this section of the country the full
particulars of their management. He was
ready at any time to have a test case brought
into court. Gen. Anderson said he wanted it
to go forth to the world that the meeting en-
dorsed what the Press said about the book
rather than what the Argus said.
Moses G. Palmer, Esq, stated that their sub
scription list in this county amounted to about
$4,000, to which must be added about $4,000
worth of pictures. All this was worth lighting
for on the ground of fraud, He found upon
examination that his name was attached to a
piece of paper with an entirely mew heading
pasted on to the original. The purport was to
relieve the publishers of any representations OF
the agents. He then related q case OF lady
who signed what she supposed was a subscrp-
ton list. Being an invalid she did not take
particular notice of the paper, but it turned
out to be an order for an expensive wood cut
Upon his earnest solicitation she had given
him picture and biographical sketch of the
person to be engraved, thinking that she was
helping the work along, not dreaming that she
would have to pay for it. When the book
came she found a note for $40 accompanying
it, which she paid rather than quarreNwith
the agent
William NJ. Sargent, Esq, believed that the
case could be successfully tested in court for
the justices were looking to equity nova days.
He could prove that the book was not history
and would be content to rest his argument on
that.
Alderman Cunningham moved that COM
mittee of four be raised to look after the rights
| of the subscribers. Hon. John j. Perry, Ed
l ward H. Daveis, Esq, Moses G. Palmer, Esq,
and William M. Sargent, Esq. were chosen.
A letter from DR.. Tewksbury, expressing
| sympathy with the object of the meeting, was
read, and the meeting adjourned, subject to
| the call Of the committee.
The Associated Charities.
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