The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-06-27
WANTS ''BE-LUD"
Listen! We viii Brand You
as a Liar and Po|trOOn at
Every Meeting"

PATERSON, ~. j.. June 2I.--A challenge
to an early morning duel with pistols,
application for warrants for the ar
rest OF Edwin p. and Henry @. Camp
bell. Jr.. sons OF Henry q. Campbell. a
wealthy broker. with office at IL Wall
street; the woes or a university grad
uate who became census enum.~ator.
scuffie in the street and two remark
able letters are involved in a census
controversy in the aristocratic east
side district of Paterson.
The story became public through
Fred c, Mcdonald. census enumera-
tor. and graduate of New York uni
versity, appearing before Recorder
senior yesterday and demanding the
arrest OF the Campbells for assault
and dlsorderly conduct. He complained
tnat the young men, armed with heavy
canes. had waylaid him in lonely
street and, fiourishing their canes, had
demanded An apology or a meeting at
daybreak. The case will be heard. on
Thursday.
Mcdonald had reported 10 Census
supervisor James M. Denton that Mrs
Henry @. Campbell had refused TO an
swer census queries. He had been kept
waiting for several minutes in the hall
way OF the Campbell mansion. He went
outside and rang the bell again. This
time servant escorted him to the rear
veranda and advised him TO see the
housekeeper.
REFUSED TO ANSWER.
Mrs. Campbell was on the veranda
with friend. Supposing her to be the
housekeeper, Mcdonald approached
but was told to wait in the reception
room. He demurred and Mrs. Camp
bell nnally accompanied him there
when he began to PROFOUND the ques-
tions on the printed form.
your queries are impertinent and
absurd, / will not answer such silly
questions,i he declares Mrs. Campbell
answered. He said he would report to
the supervisor and turned TO leave. Mrs.
Campbell barred the exit. You shall
not leave until / get your name and
number" she said.
This time the census man refused to
answer, and an angry coloquy follow
ed. An investigation was demanded,
and Supervisor Denton sustained his
deputy. On June 10, Mcdonald received
this letter:
Sir-I perfectly understand the privi-
leges az we'll as the limitations OF your
office. / also desire to state that your
rudeness TO my wife yesterday stamps
you a cowardly bully and an imperti-
nent scoundrel. Yours truly.
HENRY G.. CAMPBELL.
MDONALD'S REPLY.
The enumerator sent back this an
swer:-
June q. 1900.
My Dear Mr.. Campbell-There is a
matter which | meant TO have called
TO your attention some time ago, but
pressure OF business and absence from
the city prevented me from doing so
sooner. Some i'll bred fellow has written
me letter over some imaginary griev-
ance in which he used language which
would sound unbecoming in a street
sweeper. In some unaccountable way
the fellow has obtained a sheet OF your
note paper and had the audacity TO
sign your name TO his presumptuous
sentences. write you this merely be-
cause such low effrontery ought to be
exposed and especially when he signs
the name of a gentleman of your stamp
to ignorant cavillipgs.
FRED c. M'DONALD.
In some way the two letters became
public property. Mcdonald was halted
by the Campbell boys, who insisted
that an apology must he made or sat
isfaction accorded. When Mcdonald
said that he made no pretensions to
pugilistic talent he was asked TO name
friend and take a quiet walk in the
early morning.
You are a eur and coward" cried
young Campbell. when pistols and cof-
fee were declined Listen! We Will
brand YOU a liar and poltroon at every
meeting"