Daily Kennebec journal., 1913-09-25

Use of City Hall
Promised Then
Soon Revoked.

The following matter is published
at the request of Rev. II. +. Milligan !
of Clinton:
"A peculiar situation was revealed,
on Wednesday of this week, when it
developed that an American citizen, OF
national reputation as lecturer and
author. was refused the use of the
City hall of Augusta, Maine, on the
nights of Nov. 26, u, 2S, % and 80,
to give his popular lectures on "Sa-
Martin Luther" and 9th
ers in defence of the American Pub
lie Schools" and Our Free Institu-
tions."
"On Tuesday evening | located the
janitor having charge of the letting
of the city hall and from him Sc
cured the use of the hall for the eve
nings above mentioned at price OF
S25 per night Upon request for
reduction, because Of Baking the hall
for five evenings it was decided to
take up the matter with the mayor
on the morning of Wednesday. This
arrangement WAS carried out when, In
company with Mr.. G. +. Benner, jan
itor of the hall, | interviewed Mr.. +.
E. NeWbert, mayor, informing him as
to the nature of the lectures and Civ
ing the name of the lecturer.
Il was Immediately informed that
| could have the use of the hall, but
that the price must remain at the
usual price In accordance with this
the following letter was given me to
make the transaction more secure, and
made the transaction in writing:
OFFICE OF MAYOR
Augusta, Maine. Sept. "a, 1918
Rev II. i. Milfigan,
Clinton, Maine.
My Dear Sir: You may consider that
our city hall is booked for you for lee
lures by J. j. Crowley for the evenings
of November 26. p. 2S, % and 30. 1918, al
twenty-five t251 dollars per night.
E. E. NEwBERT.
Mayor
Mr.. Newbert was then informed
that Mr. Crowley had written tho
| books "Romanism. A Menace to the
Nation" and THE Pope. Chief .f
White -Slavers, High Prince of In
trigue" and Immediately declared: i
reserve the right to revoke the use. of
the hail. to that man, for l now re-
call reading about him.
although given within three hours
after the above letter the following
dated Sept % was handed to me by
Mr.. Newbert:
Augusta, Maine,
Sept. 25, 1915
Rev. II. f. Milligan,
Clinton, Maine
My Dear Sir: After consultation witt
d
ing on the part Of the city council,
respectfully advise that City hall cannot
be etsfor syouFa course Of lectures on No
yember &c, 21,42S, - and 3d. and the term,
contained in my letter to you of ever
date herewith are necessarily hereby re
voked.
Sincerely yours
E. L. NEWBFRT.
Mayor.
The fact of the matter is this: Mr.
]. J. Crowley is an ex-priest of the
Roman Catholic church and has been
secured for an extensive tour oi
Maine. Already the city hall u
| Portland has been secured together
with the City hall of Auburn aro
Town hall of Bruins wick, with no op-
position whatever. And Mr. Crowley
although unable because of the con-
ditions to address the loyal and patrI-
Iotic citizens of Augusta in defence o,
American institutions, in the City hall,
will lecture in Green Street Methodist
Episcopal church, on the evenings of
Wednesday. Thursday and Friday,
Nov. 26, -, %.
1T is further fact that Mr.. Crow
ley and his books are endorsed by
many worldrenowned men. j. J..
Crowley is an honorable citizen who
declares what he believes to be right,
even if it does not agree with the
opinions of others. And he advocates
the doctrines of the Constitution Of
the United States of America, that
permits freedom of thought ana
speech, and freedom of press along
with the free public schools and 9TH
er American principles
tSigned) REV. IL. F. MILLIGAN,
Clinton. Maine"
In referring to the matter, Mayor
Newbert said that City hall was let