"I frankly admit, that the consequence of the bad water at Washington, which has so deleterious an effect upon my health, when I drink it, as to render me for a large portion of the time unfit for business, I have occasionally, by the advice of my physician, resorted to ardent spirits, simply as a remedial agent. Yet this habit has been confined _strictly_ to the Capital. Never out of Washington have I indulged in anything of the sort, even as a medicine." This letter was received with significant nods and winks, expressive of doubts and disapprobation, by the committee; and it was sent to the "Goblet" for publication. In the mean time, however, its author had given Atkins private instructions on the subject; and the "Goblet" declined to publish the letter. "Gentlemen," said Atkins, when called on for an explanation, "this is an absurd affair from beginning to end. I opposed the proceeding at the outset. I consider the letter perfectly satisfactory; but my readers are tired of these things, and so am I. I must therefore be excused from having anything to do with the affair." "You will publish the letter, however, as an advertisement?" suggested the committee. "Not even as an advertisement!" "Not if paid for?" "No, not if paid for, gentlemen!" said the imperturbable Atkins. "Very well," replied the committee, exasperated, "we know who will publish it." They went across the way to the office of the "Freeman," the "rum paper," as it was called. Harmon, who was of the committee, knew the editor, and took him confidentially aside. "Atkins," said he, "refuses to print this document; 'twill be just the thing for you, and it will spite him to see it in the Freeman." "To tell you the truth," said he, "I'm afraid to publish it. 'Twill just suit our moderate drinkers, and I'm not so sure but it would injure _our_ candidate with that class of men. On the whole," said he, "I think I won't print it." Foiled in this quarter, John Harmon bethought him of the "News Courier," a neutral paper published in a neighboring town, which offered to print communications relating to the approaching campaign, provided they were written in a proper spirit, and did not compromise too much its position as a neutral journal. The Savage letter was accordingly sent to the Courier, and promptly appeared in its columns. But the editor, desiring to keep both scales of the balance as nearly in equilibrium as possible, inserted in the same number of his paper a very profound, scientific treatise, signed "Filter," giving an analysis of the Washington water, showing that its chemical properties were identical with those of the member's own well at home! and strongly questioning the utility of mixing whiskey with it at all, and more especially such whiskey as is too often sold at the seat of Government!