Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-04
Letter from Mr.. Atkins.

| To the Editor Kennebec Journal:
In your issue of the Goth inst, is COM
munication signed ''Reformer," and headed
| Nuts for Pres. Atkins to Crack" in which
'RefOrmer" proposes certain questions,
| which he wishes me to answer next Sunday.
As do not purpose to ''crack nuts" or an
swer such questions as he has proposed, on
Sunday next even to gratifv ''Reformer."
ask to be allowed to reply to them through
the same medium by which his questions are
presented.
In ..Reformers" introduction to his ques-
tons, he saws: president Atkins, in his
opening remarks, referring to the disgrace
full affair of one week ago, said that nothing
indecorous was said or any disturbance
created, until Mr.. Hewins spoke" Mr..
"Reformers" memory is at fault l did not
say there was nothing indecorous said.
used the word ''indecorous' in relation to the
department of the meeting. Thus we see the
foundation of Mr.. Performers" labored
questions is knocked out, and his superstruc-
ture topples.
But am more than willing to express my
sentiments on the questions he asks. The
first question refers to language used by one
of the Reformers, in which he says he saw
the Postmaster and other officials looking
over the list of voters, &c. l am quite ready
to say that disapprove of that language, and
very much regretted it then, and now re-
greet that did not express my disapproval at
the time of its utterance. Now ''Reformer"
may call the language used "indecorous," if
he pleases, but choose to call it disrespect.
full.
wish to say here, that also disapproved
of the silly verses that were read, and if had
anticipated their character, would not have
allowed them to be read. These two cases
were the only ones, in my judgment, in
which disrespectful language was used by
any member of the club.
''Reformer" in question second. insinuates
that a certain noted temperance man used
"indecorous" language towards a minister
to whom he referred. Now if the gentleman
told the truth-and have not heard it doubt
ed-he is not justly chargeabe with using
INDIGENOUS or disrespectful language towards
that minister.
''Reformer' says that "evervthing was
right in President AS mind, until Mr.. Hew-
ins spoke, in a very gentlemanly manner, at
lacking no man, and then the disgraceful pow
WOW began In reply to this, haze to say
that while do not desire to say any very
hard things of Mr.. Hewins, am forced to
say that no man talked so long and so loud.
no man was SO personal in his remarks, no
man used so severe and disrespectful Ian
guage towards others, as Mr.. II. did towards
the members of the club and all the undue
confusion transpired while he was talking.
nearly one third of the audience, including
most of the ladies present, leaving the hall
l aver this to be the truth, which can be SUBJ
stantiated by scores of witnesses.
But do not let me be understood as admit
ting that this was in any sense, disgrace
full pow-wow." Two of the reformers used
very little disrespectful language, and Mr..
Hewins got little excited. and spoke little
loud and severe; that is all there was to it.
The meeting closed quietly, and when left
the hall left Mr.. Hewias in smiles, and am
sure had no unkind feeling toward him, and
never dreamed of the meeting being report
ed as a ''disgraceful pow-wow"
II has been charged against me that at
tackled Mr.. Hewins in very ungentlemanly
manner. l deny the charge, and challenge
the reporter OF the Islander to prove it. only
uttered what actually occurred.
E. ATKINS