The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-11
PRoeaEss OF THE LIQUOR PRoHIBrroRY BILL

PRUeaESs OF THE LIQUOR PRoHBrToRY BILL
The passage of the prohibitory bill through the I
Senate win probably soon be followed by a
similar evidence of Maine law principle on the |
part Of the House. The only point on which
there seems to be any reasonable ground for
doubt is whether the Governor will defeat the
object of the friends Of the prohibitory law by
the exercise of his constitutional veto That he
may do SO, appears generally to be apprehended
by the one party and hoped by the other. A
veto would certainly create avery considerable
excitement among both parties at the next
election, and would be more likely to resusctate
Gov. Seymour-whose political career must
otherwise be regarded as on the point of clos
ing-than tacit acquiescence in the views of
the temperance leaders
A peculiar feature of the anti-liquor agitation
has been the violence displayed by the unscru-
pulous organs of the prohibitory law. II has been
usual with them to denounce their opponents as
corrupt, drunkards, profigates, habituates of
grogshops, &c. Even Thurlow Weed, who is
not himself very mild or scrupulous indivi-
i dual, can no longer endure the attacks which
are made on the opposition in the Legislature,
and denounces in terms of unmeasured severity
the attempt which is being male to spread
through the country the belief that the resist
ance which the bill meets has been stimulated
by corrupt agencies. However this be, the
measure is now in a fair way of becoming a
law. There can be no question, if it does, but
that it will create a tremendous agitation
among classes of our citizens which have
hitherto taken no active part in political move
ments. The law processes to be founded on high
moral and religious principles but this does
not deprive it of its unconstitutional aspect
does not prevent its being revolutionary at
tempt to interfere with the private business Of
large class of freemen. Temperance is doubt
less most praiseworthy habit in all classes of
society but the extent of intemperance pre-
vailing among the American people is far exag-
gerated by the prohibitory law advocates. The
bulk of society is temperate drunkards con-
stitute very small fraction of the whole. And
it seems a very singular system of Legislation
! to subject us all to inconvenience for the sake
of this Insignificant minority.
The passage of the Maine law in Maine broke
up all the existing political clques and parties
in that State and now, we are told, it is actual
ly dead letter in the towns No prohibitory
law, however stringent, can ever be carried out
in NewYork or in any other of the large cities of
this State. 1t can only lead to quarrels, dissen
sions and possibly to riot and bloodshed How
| ever the temperance fanatics seem to hold
supreme sway at present We can only wait
| and see what time will bring forth
The LEGISLATORS, &C., OF CALToRNIA-WHo
AND WHAT ARE THEY I'VE have received from
California statistical chart of the Senators and
Representatives in Congress from that State,
and of the State officers, Senators, representa-
tives and officers of the fifth session of the State
Legislature, which convened ut Benicia on the |
I'd of January last. 1t is document of pecu- |
liar interest, and gives tolerably clear insight
into the character and composition Of the men
who form the official army of that State. Every
occupation and profession is represented there
in. The merchant, the lawyer, the mechanic,
the laborer, the actor, the farmer, the miner,
and the printer, furnish in nearly equal proper
| tons their quota. At the head of the list is
Governor Bigler, brother of the Governor of |
Pennsylvania and printer by profession, |
though it is doubtless many years since he |
worked at his trade. He emgrated in lS49 |
from Illinois, but is native of Pennsylvania.
The Lieutenant Governor, Samuel Purdy, a
native of this State was merchant, and emil
grated in the same year. The Comptroller,
Samuel Bell, nvm tennessee, was miner;
the Treasurer, s. A. McMeans, from
the same State, physician the
Surveyor General S. H. Marlette, from New
York, civil engineer; the Superintendent of
Public Instruction, P. K. Hubbs from Pennsyl-
vania, a miner; the Secretary Of State, J. W.
Beaver, from Virginia, lawyer, Of which profess
sion the Attorney General, J. R. Mcconnell,
from Kentucky, of course is also member
Of the State Senator'S eight are natives of
New York, three of Pennsylvania, two of
Georgia, two of New Jersey, two of Ohio, one
Of Alabama, one Of California, two of Vermont
five of Tennessee, one of South Carolina, one of
Virginia, two Of Kentucky one of New Hamp-
shire, one of Ireland, one of Maryland, and one
of Maine. In the Assembly, as in the Senate,
there Is larger number Of natives of New
York than from any other State, while Missouri
comes next. Among the occupations of the 7
officers of the Senate is one which we have
never heard classed before, but which we sup
pose is peculiar to that land of adventures; it
is de1ominated in the list "outside chances"
and the person who formerly possessed it is the
present incumbent of Sergeant-at-Arms. As
there is great resemblance between the two
occupations, it is fair to presume that his out
side chances will not be neglected in his new
Office.
MUSICAL INTELIIGENcE.-Every one has been
remarking the utter dearth of musical enter
tainments which has prevailed during the win
ter. We have had no opera, no concerts, no
leading artists here. The theatres are open as
usual, and Uncle Toms Cabin" old plays of