The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-17
Our Albany Correspondence.
Ayp.Nv Eoh II IS.

The Tempe nce Biz before The Legislature.
Amongst the most prominent topics for discus.
sion in the Legislature, the bill introduced by Sc
nator Munroc, from the Onondaga district stands
pre.eminent. which goes nearly the entire length
with tho Maine liquor law in preventing the salo OF
intoxicating drinks. The bill, as originally intro
duced went for the suppression of all sale of liquors
except for medicinal purposes; but before it was
fairly before the Legislature, the honorable Sena-
tor inserted clause, whereby permission Was given
that spirituous liquor, to the smouut Of thirty gal
lors, might be kept by any individual. The ultra
temperance people are denounciug Mr.. Munroo Tor
this alteration Of his original bill, declaring that
the allowance OF this ount Of liquor to be held
would be the means Of encouraging Drunkenness
and free iptszcation among that class Of sociaty
WHO can Of I'd to purchase by Wholesale. Il would
allow the rich to indulge in the uso OF the beverage
whereas the poorer classes would be en.itely pre-.
vented from paytsking OF tho creature comforts"
The strict Temperance people want an impartial,
Thorough going law, or none at all. IL Is TO this
extent that two hundred ihouEand petitioners have
asked for the Maine liquor law, and no .htcg
"thorter"
The petitions for this law arc about al present.
ed to the Legislature; and tae opponents arc nov
beginning to remonetIate. Meetings are being
held in al the principal cities and viages ID order
10 combat that law, and afford tho Legislature the
benefit OF the signatures thus obtained t. resist
the conternp plated enactment. Ia few days those
remonstrances will begin to pour in In considerable
nun ers, probably equal to tho names presented on
the opposite side Of The question
But will the law be enacted, or will cny one In
relation to the traffic in alcoholic liquor, is ques.
ten more frequently asked than any other. The
ever eXcit2ble ever enthusiastic, acknowledging
portion OF the temperance advocates insist upon the
passage Of the Law, regardless OF the consequence
They do not stop to inquire whether the people al
largo will aequesoe in the stringency imposed by
the Maine laH--the one gtrenuously insisted upon.
They arc not even willing to give time for dealers
70 Adjust their Affairs, 60 as to quit the bu.ines In
manner 10 prevent q shipTreck OF their fortunes.
No, they want sll descriptions OF such property
token summarily from the owner, and TUNED into
tie cutters Of the streets, without ceremony, and
without remuneration. On tbs other hand, the
cseo, consistent, ard honest temperance advocates,
advice more iu5icious course. Senator I4ber,
from tie Albany district, who has been Erios
Temperance man from his youth up when MunFoos
bill was introduced openly stated that he had great
doubts Of tho prosperity Of the passage Of bull Oh
tuch q stringent character; be feared that II ~
should pass public opiuion would react, and the
law would DO repealed al the next session, giving
the anti TEN pcran &c portion II community victory
which would drive them INTO moro oNtravagaat In,
duIpences, to the great deiriment Of the cause OF
Temperance ittelf Upless he could be convinced
that such weula not bo the csse he intilnated that
he could not vote for the hill.
Senator Beekman, too, who, yeu ell know In
NV Yo.t, was elected over Danl9 Z Siekle5, upon