The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-13
y INV uHaxAMD.

BR1peEroRr. August I, 1854


Our Bridgeport Correspondence.
BRrDGEPoRr, August z, 1854.
Working Of the Maine Law-Poputar Err
eitensent-Pyo6able Reputation Of the
La,C-Visit of the Gopernor-His Recep-
sion--4 Procession-Locai Politics.
Having lately been the witness OF consider
able excitement in this usually quiet town, and
that excitement being the sequence of the ad-
vent of . law enacted at the last session Of the
General Assembly Of Connecticut, presume
10 address you these lines, trusting they will
prove interesting to your numerous readers.
1t is, suppose, generally known that the last
May session of the Connecticut Legislature
enacted law for the suppression of intempe-
rance, and indeed the law is calculated to effec-
tually secure the purpose it was designed for.
II is so rigid and explicit in its provisions that
no possible chance is left for evading its re-
quirements. In fact, care must be used that in
our homes or in the social circles convened and
delighted in, as we journey through life, the
bounds prescribed are not overstepped.
The law went into effect on the LIST day of
August, and as the day drew near speculation
wss rife and curiosity excited to behold the
articles Ofsaid law provides, that the select men
Of each town shall appoint agents, and appro-
pirate sum of money from the town treasury,
70 be used by said agents on account Of the
town, for the purchase and sale of liquors for
medical and other purposes, unless other
wise directed by the town. Said agents to
receive q salary Of sl25 per year for
their services. Whether the propriety OF
such agencies ere questioned, or the rigid ex-
actness of the law has caused reaction in the
minds of the people, do not know; but certain
IT is that all the populous towns Of this State
have voted that the public moneys should not
be appropriated for the purpose designated by
law. 1t amounts to q palpable reputation Of
the law; and although Connecticut, by her last
Legislature, adopted the law by q decided ma
jority, 1t is matter Of conjecture whether the
people are in reality in favor of the law or not;
New Haven leading the van in repudiating, and
Hartford quickly following.
Bridgeport, next in order, became the centre
Of observation being the third town in great
ness in the State. the peDt-up outlet Of vast
interior, having two railroads traversiug the
State from north to south, and terminating here;
besides as you are aware. being under the di-
rect influence Of the great apostle of tempe
rance and prince Of shOwmen, who resides here,
the result was anXi0usly looked for by the
public throughout the State. We were, during
last week, favored with visit from oar vene-
rable Governor. the Hon. Henry Dutton; but
whether he came here to aid the cause of tenn
perance or upon other business am unable to
say. regret to add that during his sojourn
among Us he was the recipient of very po-
pular and to him unpleasant serenade, and
Also being burnt in efigy, . mode of proceed
ing not cOmmendable under the circumstances,
but apparently not objected to generally. But,
however, to what purpose the visit of the Go
vernon was made, it resulted in no good to
nf Thn otsnr~ Toy,
the decision of the matter was held on Sa-
furdly last in the Common Council room, aud
was one of the most exciting affairs ever wit
messed. The temperance men made q bold eff
fort, but 1t was no 60. An adjournment was
made to the basement of our new courthouse
in order to have more room, and the adoption
Of aet of resolutions to the following effect
took place (the temperance men making no eff
forty, to witt
That no moneys should be appropriated from
the public treasury for the purpose, and that
all moneys, If any, appropriated before this
date, be returned to the treasury forthwith
An adjournment (without day. then took place.
A very large and imposing procession took
n me IN .ne
the principal streets with drums beating and
banners flying, they halted on the green, and
forming circle, burnt the effigy Of Thomas II.
Oakley, ESQ.,, our representative, in their mids.
Again forming in line, three cheers were given
for the worthy Mayor, and the procession march
ed into Wordin's large hall in this place, where
meeting " as organized by the appointment of
Capt. s. D. Baldwin as chairman. The procession
in pas sing through the streets was quiet and Or
Derby. not the slightest disposition to disturb
ance being evident. Speeches were delivered
at the meeting, denunciatory of the prohibitory
law. s,E..r
Prominent among the speakers was William
Pinkerman, Esq, Of this city, who comm ented
severely upon the law. He stated, during his
speech, and wished it publicly known, that Mr..
Oakley, when nominated for the Office he now
holds, publicly declared that if elected, should
any matters arise in the Assembly concerning
liquor law, he would use his influence to have
the subject referred to the people for adjust
ment, instead Of which, he used his utmost en-
deavors to pass the law in its present shape,
thereby violating his trust and proving false to
his constituents.
The meeting then adjourned, pledged to re-
peal. Thus ended the day so full of excitement,
and with 1t / fear hearty or even probable ac-
quiescence to the law. There is no doubt that
many and repeated violations will take place,
few of which will be brought before the proper
tribunals for adjustment. A few such cases,
under law odious to the people on account Of
its rigidness now, will by the time of another
election become unbearable in view of the de-
termined opposition 30 openly manifested
throughout the State. ] see no reason to doubt
but that different set of men will grace our
next legislative Assembly. So far as the proba-
bility Of suppres sion of drinking is concerned,
! doubt the issue in view of the immense quanti-
ties Of liquor put by for private use, and the
easy facilities for obtaining it from New York.
Time will prove. F.
Onr Boston Correspondence.