The Portland daily press., 1881-05-07
o. M. COUSINS.
HE EXPLAINS TO THE BRIDGTON
NEWS.
What the Chairman Of the Examining
Committee Says of His Explanations
and of His Conduct.

following under the heading IAN explanation
from Rev. o. M. Cousens
We have ELECTED the following statement
from Rev. o. M. Cousens in regard to a certain
alleged Cuisines irregularity J"
"The charges of dishonesty in business
In the winter of 1884 Mr.. Cousens went to
Aroostook county to conduct Sunday School
convention at Houlton Hoyt, Fogg Breed
(the firm then was) of Portland desired to SEND
box of Sabbath school requisites to be on sale
during the convention. They are publishers
of Lesson Leaves and other helps, and they
wished him to distribute gratuitously among
teachers and other S. S. workers such speci-
mems of their publications. Such errand Tor
their benefit Mr.. Cousens consented TODD. Such
than he had expected. Not only did the goods
rapidly go off which were announced to the
convention for gratuitous distribution, but the
goods on sale, to a considerable extent, disap-
peared, while Mr. Cousens was intent on other
interests OF the convention. Eighty copies OF
singing-book called 'The Sunshine" proffered
by Hoyt, Fogg u Breed for use during the con-
yentlon, were IN the pewS, and several were Ia
ken. When Mr.. Cousens returned to Portland
ne turned over to Hoyt, Fogg & Donham what
receipts he had taken and what goods remain
ed according to stipulation, but he did decline
to bear all the loss. The firm has persisted in
insisting on the payment of the whole, which
IS about $25. Mr.. Cousens has offered ten dol
lars, and thinks that is as much as is properly
his share"
A reporter of the PRESS called upon
Mr.. Hoyt, of the firm of Hoyt, Fogg & Don
ham, yesterday afternoon, and after some
conversation with that gentleman, Mr. Hoyt
preferred the reporter should see Rev. d. B.
Randall, who was the chairman of the COM
mittee of the Methodist Conference before
whom Mr.. Cousens was tried He found Mr.
Randall confined to his bed, but perfectly will
ling to give such information as was necessary
and proper.
After the article from the News had been
read to him, Mr.. Randall said the trial of Mr..
Couscns had been perfectly impartial Each
side had been allowed every opportunity to
prove or disprove charges. This matter of
Hoyt, Fogg & Breeds was a minor charge
The count was not dishonesty but grave neg
lgeEce i'll reference to his transactions with
that firm. 1t was fairly proved that in Novem-
Der, or December, 1873, as stated, Mr.. Cousens
went to the convention at Houlton He did
not take any Lesson Leaves, or other publica-
lions of the firm for gratuitous distribution,
since it was not till some time after that Hoyt,
Fogg u Breed ISSUED these helps for teachers
He bought the goods, which were the pubica-
lions of other houses sent to the firm for sale,
like any other customer, only it was understood
that such books as he did not sell the firm
would credit him for, provided they were re-
turned in good condition. Mr.. Randall says
he doesn't remember but one or two of Hoyt,
Fogg & Breeds publications that appeared on
the bill. They were almost entirely those of
othar puh1icborc In f6a foll r.,
Cousens and the firm had a sort of settlement
he returning the books unused and they giving
him credit therefor. This left balance
against Mr.. Cousens of $25. The firm render
ed their bill monthly thereafterIto Mr.. Cousens
but could never get a settlement from him,
until last autumn, he offered to pay ten dollars,
saying 1t was all he would pay, on an account
OF $50, that had been standing eight years.
MIR. Randall says, furthermore, that it was
shown on the trial, by the evidence, that Mr..
Cousens had been guilty of both profanity and
falsehood. Mr.. Cousens' little son, aged u or
IA years. USED to sleep with his father and he
testified that his father called his mother some
times ga b-h,' at other times "a id b-h,''
and at others "a Cd id b-h.' Both his
wife and son testified that at one time he seiz-
ed his wife by the throat and tried first to force
her head under a pump, and then forced his
finger into her throat trying to choke her. To
save herself she bit bis finger so hard he had
to let go, and the son testified that his father
went off calling his mother id bib Mr.
Cousens did not disprove these charges He
claimed at the time that his wife was in
swoon, and he was holding her up; but as
rebutter his wifes mother, who happened to
open the door at the time, testified that when
he saw her he let his wife drop very quickly
Witnesses testified in the wife's behalf who
had known her for over twenty years and could
bear testimony to her good character.
1t is stated that friends of the Rev. O. M.
Cousens have raised about $3.50 in Bridgton,
and he is to open the Universalist church in
that town as an Independent preacher. 1t may
also be stated in this connection that after Mr.
Cousens had been expelled from the Methodist
church and conference, his Bridgton admirers
gave him a reception.