The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-05-22
TEMPERANCE.


E0f inc Nortnern OaIaXy.
LETTER FROM THE STATE TEN
PERANcE AGENT.-THE WORK PROGRESSING.
To de Chairman Of the Central Committee Of
Tie ~ Temperance Society:
Sir: Since completing my tour described
in my last report, l have visited Rutland
tEast and West) Manchester and Bennington
on the West side of the mountains, Windsor
Weathersfeld. lat the Bow and at Perkins
WILEY Springfield, North and South,) Ches-
ter, Ludlow, ProctOrsvilIe in Cavendish,
Felchville in Reading, (where violent rain
prevented meoting) and Woodstock. 1
have also spent fortnight in Massachusetts.
Through this entire section of the State, a
general movement has been made upon the
subject Of licenses. In Rutland County the
Court has had its session, and printed letter
from Mr.. Spencer, our Corresponding Score
tary for that County, informs the public that
licenses for rum taverns have been granted in
only five towns of the county. Bennington
county stands in about the same coalition.
In this county, (WindsOr,) can not vet as
certain tho number of towns which have ia
ken action upon the question, but this has.
been done in ten at least, either by vote ir
town meeting or by petitions, and in all these,
the expression is decidedly against the grant
ing of any license.
The Court is now in session here, before
whom the battle is to be fought, between rum
and no rum. A deep interest is taken in the
question upon both sides, and next Monday
evening the discussions are to Commence
Probably several evenings will be consumed
ere the contest viii be closed. In no instance
in which this subject has been presented be-
fore thece towns, has tho result been unfayor
able, with the exception of Harihnd. Ey
the free use of rum, and the aid OF the votes
Of about 25 drunkartis, our opponents secur-
ed majority. But even there, the sober
second thought Of the people was correct
A greater number of voters have signed the
petitions that the traffic may not be licensed,
than voted with the majority at the meeting.
In some towns, even the Incorporate are
prompt in giving us their names. They say
that they know they are injuring themselves
aud their families, but when the temptation is
before them they cannot resist. In Wood
stock the petitions are signed by great num-
bers.
Upon ono topic connected with this ques-
ton, find almost everywhere, mistaken views
in the community. refer TO the operation
Of the laws restraining the sale of intoxica-
ting liquors in Massachusetts. 1t is said by
rum sellers, and repeated by those who con-
fde in their statements, that drinking is az
prevalent in Massachusetts now as ever, and
that the laws are generally violated and with
IMMUNITY. Official documents prove the con-
trsry of all this. | have before me the reports
Of the Attorney General, embracing these
particulars, and give you the result.
The State is divided into five districts, the
four western counties forming the western
district, Worcester and Norfolk counties the
Middle, Middlesex and Essex the Northern,
Suffolk being district by itself, and the 9th
err southern counties forming the Southern
District. Taking the trials that were had
during the years I934-lS39 inclusive, the re-
suits were as follows: