Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-12-22
Letter from Kansas.


Dear HGnir The past week in Lawrence
has been chiefly marked by the agitation of the
temperance question, and by an election held
day before yesterday, in which the question of
license or no license was directly submitted to
the electors of the city, The result was gori-
Gus, the temperance men having 80 majority in
one of the most fercely contested elections ever
held in the city. Thus far all was rights but 1
have now to record the dastardy conduct of
our City Council. After having, at the request
of the citizens, submitted the question of license
to the people, this honorable body determined
to disregard the vote, and at their regular meet
ing last evening granted four licenses. know
not how to characterize such men, they are
too low, contemplate and devoid of honor to
deserve even the notice derived from denuncia-
ton. They will act out their brief course and
then sink into deserved insgnifcance, despsed
by those who have used them and by those they
have abused, alike. The cause of temperance
will not suffer; we expected "A fierce contest at
the spring election, and this insult will but ce-
ment those who love the cause together and
cause them to present bolder front to the foe,
and enable them to elect Council true to their
constituents and true TO the cause of temper
ance.
To-day is Thanksgiving and the several
churches in the city unite for divine service in
the Methodist church, where Rev. Mr. Cordley,
.Congregationalist, preached the Thanksgiving
sermon. Mr.. Cordley is one of the true men.
of the city. For eight years he has been set
tied over the church here and during that time
has worked steadily and truly both for the cause
of Christianity and for the cause of morality,
and all the reforms Of the day. Such ministers
are blessing to any community where they
may reside The other ministers here also
good and true men. Rev. Mr.. Tenny, recently
settled over the Unitarian church here, is q very
able man, and since his arrival the attendance
at his church has been greatly increased, the
house has been considerably improved and ev-
erythng bids fair that this be one of the largest
churches in the city. The Presbyterans are
Just finishing neat church the Epscopalians
have enlarged their church and have a hand
some parsonage, and the Baptists, who now
worship in hall in the city, will, it is said,
erect another season a commodous house of
worship.
Of our schools, which are now having a va
cation, can say, that during the last term they
were large and well taught, though they were
cramped by most unsuitable rooms. The COM
peton of the new schoolhouse will in great
measure remedy this next term, and we intend
/ that the common schools of Lawrence shall be
equal to any in the State. On State school
system is excellent, consisting of a University.
to be located here and the first building Tor
which is nearly completed; an Agricultural
College already in operation at Manhattan
State Normal School in operation at Emperia,
and common schools everywhere. The endow-
ments for these institutions are for the Univer-
sity 46,OS0 acres of land 1000 for the Agri-
cultural College IS, 400 for the Normal School,
and 100000 acres for the common schools,
making one of the most splendid endowments
possessed by any State. To emigranls seeking
homes in the West, we can say, that in refer
ence to schools Kansas offers as fair induce
ments as any Western State. In Douglas coun-
" outside of the city, the schools are in good
condition districts are veing with each other
to get the best school-houses, and many really
superior buildings have been erected costing
even as high as $4,000. Such house built
substantially of stone or brick, is useful as q
place Of worship as well as for a school, and
increases the value of property in all the dis
ticts.
In Lawrence two National Banks are about
to be started A new bookstore and several
other new establishments are starting up. Two
small woollen factories for the mandatory o!
coarse fabrics are proposed, and one is already
contracted for
Work on the Pacific Hailroed is progressing
rapidly, and the track is down as far as Topeka
and there are no signs of stopping work. A
railroad bridge across the Kansas river at Law,
renee for the Leav., Law. X Ft Gibson Rail-
road is offered for contract this looks like
business on the road south.
Yours, &c, W. Il. b.