The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-08

MAINE LIQUOR Law.

the selectmen OF each town TO appoint per-
son to sell liquor for medical, chemical, and
manufacturing purposes. In a late speech OF
Mr.. Thomas G. Cary in the Senate Of Massa.
chusetts, which treats the subject of temperance
with great ability, he states the following very
natural result:
"The senator from Worcester Mr.. Walker,
While advocating the law, stated striking fact.
refer to it only because it is more definite than
other information which have Of the same ma
ture. He told us that the work will not be
finished when we pass this law, for that in one
town Of only eleven hundred inhabitants, in
Maine, where the selectmen are said to be ali
quor men," they have appointed "liquor man.
as the agent for the town to sell ardent spirits
at retail, for medicinal, chemical, and manufac-
turing purposes, agreeably to the law; and that
this agent has already sold one hundred and ten
barrels Of spirits, since the law was enacted! !"
Thus it appears that the selectmen, being
themselves dealers in liquor, appoint a man also
dealer in liquor, giving him monopoly of the
sale and that in the course of n few months he
has disposed of one hundred and ten barrels in
town Of eleven hundred inhabitants, for medi-
cal, chemical, and manufacturing purposes.
Surely, the cause of temperance must flourish
under this law.
NEW SYSTEM OF PUBLIC ECONOMY.
Congress having given away some two or
three hundred millions of acres of the public
lands, provided for the printing of few hundred
keep the organs blowing, and wasted almost as
much moro in discussing the merits of cold TO-
GIGS" and "young Americans" has lately been
seized with an acute fit of economy. They
have determined to make amends for past pro-
digaty, by curtailng the expenditures of gov
eminent, cutting down estimates for the army,
navy, Notifications, and other necessary defen-
ces, and leaving a most important as well as
imperative, article of the Mexican treaty unful-
filled, by refusing the government the means
for that purpose The greatest triumph of
economy was, however, exhibited the other day.
in authorizing the appointment of three addi-
tional errand boys instead Of four, as first pro-
posed by an extravagant member. We may
shortly expect to see a desperate attack on the
poor clerks in the Departments, who are always
The resduary egatees Of Congressional econo-
my. If they can knock one or two on the head,
or cut off hundred dollars from their salaries,
after wasting a few thousands in debating the
question, they think they have done wonders,
and return to their constituents with coors fly
ing The fact is decisive in stump speech.
This system of economy reminds me of that
of a worthy gentleman of my acquaintance, who
practced on the old saying, that if you take care
of the pennies the pounds will take care OF
themselves. Accordingly he saved penny
whenever he could, by scraping abroad and
pinching at home; and as the pounds could
take care of themselves expended all he had
saved by stinting his family, and docking the
wages of his dependents, in two or three
splendid parties where the champagne flowed
in torrents, and the science of cookery appear
cd in all its glory. Thus among the common
pc ope at home he got the reputation Of close
listed fellow, while, with the better sort abroad
who partook of his champagne and oysters, he
figured as the prince of liberalty.
This is very much like the economy of Con-
gress, which is exemplified in curtailing the ne.
cessary expenditures of government, and the
salaries of few clerks, while appropriating
millions of acres in land-warrants to enrich bro
kers and spectators, millions of acres for rail-
roads through uninhabited regions, and hundred,
of thousands of dollars to print census, which
is more like domestic encyclopedia than any
thing else, for the sole purpose of keeping the
"organs" in tune This practice is not, how
ever, uncommon. We often see men stinting
themselves in the necessary comforts life for
years, only to spend their savings in reckless
prodigality afterwards.
GREAT ORATOR.
The speeches of this gentleman may be d.
vided into two parts, in one of which he contra
diets what he had proved, in the other proves
what he had contradcted.
LETTER WRITING.
am always inclined to dstrust man who is
afraid of committing himself in familiar cores
pondence. 1t is sign, either that he has no
confidence in his own opinions, or in the honor
of his friends. The most cautious man in this
respect ] ever knew, was very distinguished
public character, with whom kept up a long
and familiar correspondence, during which he
never once committed himself, either as to pub
lie men or public measures often told him it
was as bad policy to distrust his friends as to
trust bis enemies. ! liked him much, for he
was most agreeable associate, but never con-
sidered as friend.
SOUTH AMERIcA.--By way of Panama, we
have later dates from different portions of
South America. The accounts from Valparaiso
announce the arrival, at that port, of the cap
tured revoutionists of the Straits of Magellan.
The statements of terrible massacre on board
the American barque Florida and British brig
Elisa CORNISH, are fully confirmed. The leader,