Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-04-26
Temperance Reform.

iancy We are not yet sufficiently posted to
feel ourselves warranted in proclaiihihg to
those who feel an interest in the cause that
the man has turned upp who is to reyolu-
tionize public sentiment upon this important
question; but we are prepared to say that
one who is destined to "make himself heard, y
and whose brilliancy Of speech and power of
reason will create a temperance excitement
never before experienced in California, has
taken the field.
Alluslon is not made to man who has
figured largely in the history of the State,
and from whom the public would be prepared
to expect great achievements. This new
temperance orator energies, we may say, from
the obscurity of private life in a mountain
town For some six months or more WM.
b. TAYLOR has been a quiet unassuning citi-
zen of Volcano. In the southern mines, it
is true, from Stockton to Mariposa, the name
of ''Bil Taylo~ is familiar to majority of
people; and although constant deyotec and
sometimes very slave at the shrine of the
rosy god" still those important traits of
character which always distinguish latent
genius were constantly exhibited, which,
joined with generosity of disposition and
social qualities of the highest order rendered
him immensely popular" in the received ac-
ceptation of that phrase. His efforts at ora
tory were confined to occasional extcmpora-
neous stump speeches, when called out by
the boys' at political gatherings. Daring
the Legislative session of 1854 Mr.. Taylor
was an Gftaehe Of the Senate; and it may
surprise those who knew him then, as well
as his friends in the southern portion of the
State, to hear that he has planted his banner
on the battlements of temperance.
Convinced from observation, as well as
from bitter experience, of the direful results
of intemperance, we understand that Mr..
Taylor has for some time-perhaps two or
three months contemplated the step he has
now taken; and having partially recuperated
an emaciated and fearfulIy endangered con-
stitution, the prayers Of temperance men will
ascend that he may be allowed health and
strength to fulfil the mission before him. On
Sunday evening last, he made his debut as a
temperance orator in the village of Aquc-
duct City, (near this place. and we learn
that large and highly apprcciative audience
were astoundcd by the (to them) unexpected
eloquence that fell from his lips.
Did We commit to paper the cncomiums
that have been passed upon this effort of the
young orator, we should certainly excite the
incredulity of those who did not hear for
themselves, and we therefore deSist.
We have known VIM b. Taylor, or :" Bill
Taylor" for short, long and well; and we can
and do cordially recommend him to the public
as the embodiment of honesty aud honor;
and from our knowledge of his qualifications,
we shall be most disagreeabIy disappointed il
he does not create commotion in the world
Of temperance that will result greatly to the
furtherance of the cause. We learn that he
will at once visit several Of the neighborine
towns. The fact that he does not appear at
the start in Volcano, can only be attributed to
native modesty.'
Mr.. Taylor is, or was originally, printer
by profession.
DEATH OF Il. &. NoYEs.-This gentleman
departed this life at San Francisco on the
10th inst The announcement has filed will
sorrow the hearts of very large number ol
friends and acquaintanccS, for he was man
who commanded the highest respect and es-
teen of all who knew him. He was an early
immigrant to California, and in 1852 became
attached to the house of Adams q Co. lie
afterwards removed to Stockton, and thence
to San Francisco, remaining chief manager
in the Express Department of the Adams *
Co. concern until the failure of the house.
Immediately after this event, the Pacific .Ex-
press Co was organized and Mr.. Noyes cho-
sen President This position he filed with
distinguished ability, and to the complete sat
isfaction of the Company and the public
We knew Mr.. Noyes well--knew him in
timately. lie was one of those whose death
is public calamity The community suffer
when such men die-young and old suffer
the loss of an example of business integrity
n ,d cnninl worth ANn could not nermif the