Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-03-13
MuscArIxE. Feb. 81, 1855

MuscATfSE, Feb. 81, 1857.
Mn. EDIToR:-I congratulate mysclfup-
opon being citizen OF Iowa--the far-fam-
cd and beautiful Iowa. If were to at
tempt to describe the country. its climate,
soil, productions, health, and beauty of
scenery, il would be but to repeat what
has been written time and again by pens
more graphic than mine. | can only con-
firm the truth Of the statements heretofore
made in relation to. the many advantages
Of a residence In this country.
II is true, we have had a long and very
severe wiutcr. yet II has been wluscr Of
remarkable good health. Theriyer closed
with ice on the third of December and
has been quite thoroughfarc most Of the
time since, and still passable by pcdestri-
ans
We are justnow threatened with flood
the river being very high, and when
the general breaking up takes place, there
may be awful destruction with the water
craft along the river shore.
Muscatine Is alplcasant aud thriving city.
Preparations are being made for large
number Of buildings the coming season,
and vast deal OF business Is confidently
calculated upon.
A charter has been obtained from the
Legislature Of Illinois for railroad from
point opposite this city to Galcsburg III
inois, (which, connecting with other roads,
will giyea direct outlet east through Cen
trail Illinois and Indiana, thereby saving
above an hundred miles from Mnscatinc
to indianapolis. from the usually travelled
route, through Chicago, which must add to
the growth and business Of this city.
Notwithstanding the go-ahcad spirit
manlfcsts itself in this community, there
are many who are not satisfied with doing
well, and want to do better, aud are bound
for Kansas. The emigration TO that Ter
ritory this spring win be without paral-
lei.
The whisky Democrats and doughfaced
Republicans In our State Legislature sue
cceded in disturbing the prohibitory liquor
law, but not to affect 1t very seriously.
The law was SO modified so as TO give
each county the privilege to say by vote,
at the spring election, whether license
shall be granted to murder human beings
in that county by selling liquor. Should
the vote be against license, then Is prohi-
bition legally brought to bear II for Ii
conse, the Judge may issue license, but uu-
der wholesome restriction.
1.-THE petition for license must be sign
ed by twelve freeholdcrs, who shall certify
that the applicant is man Of respec-
table character and standing, &C. He may
have that character and standing when he
applies, but when he goes at liquor selling
he losesit, certain, SO that he may not hope
to get license second time, If men certi-
fy the truth.
He must give bond in the sum Of one
Of $4,000, with good security, that he will
keep an orderly house-that.. he will not
allow gambling of any kind in or about
his premises, &c. That is to say, he will
keep a different doggcry from any that has
ever been kept before, which no man in his
senses would go security for--an orderly
doggery, sanctifcd profanity. pious rob-
berry, holy murder, respectable liquor-scll-
crs, all in the same category Of palpablc
absurdities.
Hcis to pay from $50 to 500 to the
county, and town authorities may pile on
81 900 or more.
Hcis to support all paupers, widows
and orphans, and pay the expenses of all
civil and criminal prosecutions growing
out Of. or justly attributable to his traffic in
drunkard- making.
This Is specimen Of the entire temper
ancc law, which is next to prohibition.
! From the fact that when the question Of
prohibition was voted upon by the people.
there wero but two counties in tho State
that had majority against 1t, we hope to
stay tho desolating tide of incompetence,
aud present model State for temperance,
sobricty, moral intelligence and religion.
JNO. w. SULLIVAN.