Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-01-19

ing al the lungs, IS no" =" ia'' "oy 'o' 'o
covery.
Town ORDINANCES, until recently, have
publicly slept in the same quiet as they do in
.he records of the board who legislate for the
good of this community. And while they did
SO, we could not complain; bu, puolic atten.
ton being drawn to one of them we cannot re-
frain from expressing part Of our view in re-
gard to it.
We refer to the ordinance regulating exhi-
bilions." &c. which provides in section one,
"that any person or persons wishing TO ex-
hiblt any show Of animals, wax.fsures or
paintings or perform any feats, such as circus
riding, rope or wire dancing. slight Of hand,
or any exhibition OF performance of any kind
whatever for charge or compensation Therefore"
&c. "shall pay such sum as the Treasurer of
the corporation shall Direct" not less than
three nor more than twenty dollars for each
exhibition Of any one day or evening"" Sec. 2
provides that any person violating the pro-
vision Of section one, shall pay fine Of not
less than ten nor more than fifty dollars, to be
collected by action Of debt before any justice
Of the peace Of Musca,ine county"
Under the sweeping edict of the corporation
mans mouth is closed and his tongue silen-
ced unless he pays from three to twenty dol
lars for the privilege Of speaking. No other
place with which we are acquainted has ever
attempted to pu. sach a gag upon freeman.
Under this law the schoolmaster must be
fined for exhibiting his maps and globes and
giving instruction ,hezeon-because lie takes
compensation therefor.
The landlord must pay fine because he
charges the young men who visit his hall to
attend the exhibition Of the fdler and dancer.
The Dr.. who visits our town from neigh
boring city, and lectures npon Astronomy, ac.
companed with the exhibition Of the Tele.
scope and Magic-Lantern, because, forsooth,
he CHARGES for his instruction and lastly, a
lecturer on Animal Magnetism must be made
TO feel it's fangs, because he is unwilling to
spend his time, talents and requirements for
the public benefit, free of charge.
When will our town law. makers distinguish
between the bogus theatre, & the scientific lee
turer, the monkey show and the school-mas:er!
All are alike in the eyes Of this law.
Modify its features, or repeal it altogether;
unless you wish the town to be stigmatized
for its barbarism and superstition, for it amounts
TO tax upon science and lierature-a sure
sign Of the ignorance Of the people toerating
such enactments.
The PRRsiDENcy.-Ita appears new to be the
settled conclusion with the majority Of both par
ties that the contest will be between Mr.. Van
Buren, and Clay. though for while there APP
peared 10 be some doubt as to the nomination
Of the former BY the Demn".-'io convention to
assemble at Baltimore, in May next. But
as the time approaches doubt after doub, is re-
moved, and the matter becomes more if not en-.
tirely certain. That excellent patriot and
statesman the Hon. Jas. Buchanan, Pennsyl-
vania's favori'e son, has published his public
withdrawal from fse field as candidate, in a
letter which brea,hes the purest sentiments OF
democracy and liberty, by which event the
vote of that great State will be cast for Mr..
Van Buren,. And every day that passes serves
but to weaken Mr.. Calhouns prospects and
strengthen those Of the former. While The
whole democracy of the Union is united and
determined 10 present an unbroken front to the
common enemy. OF this the wings were con.
WINGED by the result Of the organization of the
House OF Representatives and the vote in the
Senate for printer, Notwithstanding their press.
es and renegade democrats had labored TO pre-
vent such result.
We look forward TO an early withdrawal BY
Mr.. Cass and Col. Johnson.
WESTERN WATERs.-Quite an animated dis.
cussion arose in Congress on the motion to re-.
ter petition for an augmentation for western