The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-01-07
FROM BOSTON.
An Odd Proceeding on New Years
Dny.-.The Present Status OF the
Liquor QnsstlOn''Lecturs Season,


cOnspOndsno. Of ms IrtettOa,os.
Boston, January 8. 1868.
AeSSrs. EditOr@ ~
On Wednesday the lst OF January,
the "Great and General Court" of
Massachusetts commenced is annual
session. This Court is always attend
ed with great ceremony. Ater the or.
ganizatlon OF the two branches Of the
Legislature, they procsed in body 10
the Old South Church aud listen 70
sermon appropriate to the occasion.
This generally contains much self.
glorl6catIOn, as well as argument for
many Of the peculiar ideas entertained
by thgpreacher upOn.the reforms Of
the day. This years discourse was
upon prison discipline, wOman's rights
and the abolition Of corporal punish.
inent in schools. All these subjects
eably discussed. -
Unusual interest Is felt In the doings
OF the Legislature this year, not only
in this State, but In the adjoining
States that have adopted the policy Of
u prohibitory liquor law. II will be
remembered that the Eole issue at the
last State election, was the question
OF continuing this law, aud about
three.fourths OF the members elected
are opposed to 1t. Tho law was passed
twelve or fifteen years ago, forbiddInR
tl,n aaIn ~ au,y wtnaNt,s,
and rendering the person offering them
aud the liquors subject 10 conhBcation.
This law mas been a dead letter in
most OF the cities until within year or
two, when strong efforts have been
made to inforce 1t, In some cases, In
the most arbitrary manner. Hence
the reaction In public sentiment.
Many measures are talked ofas substi.
tuLes for the law, and some men hnd
themselves In queer positions. Men
who opposed prohibition are advoca-
ting stringent license law, while the
most ultra prOhlbltionists are opposing
any restriction whatever upon the sale
OF liquors, hoping thereby to secure a
reaction In favor OF their pet law. Pro-
hibltion or Free Rum, Is their motto.
II Is difficult 10 see how this is cOnsis-
tent with honesty, after all their arr
guments against the liquor traffic.
They are fast earning the eplthet Of
"rummies,n so freely bestowed upon
their opponents.
The discussion OF the whole matter
will probably take wide range and
will be closely watched, as many States
have adopted, or proposed TO adopt,
the very measures to promote the tenn
peranCe reform which this State has
so emphatically rejected.
s, Next Monday will be quite an event. |
full day In this city's history. With the
incoming ofthe new city government
Is completed the union OF Roxbury with |
the municipality. This adds $4,000 to |
the population, as we'll as much OF the |
most beautiful territory in the vicinity. |
There are few more charming places |
for residence than the highlands Of
ROxbury. This annexation Is supposed |
to be ofsOme advantage TO the two cities
in local matters, but II is doubtful II 1t
has any effect upon its commercial I'M
portance, as some suppose. All the
cities adjoining are practically one with |
this In all business transactions.
The commerce Of Boston Is Just now |
suffering by the withdrawal OF the Gu.
nard steamers Of the Liverpool line,
but 1t will not be without good effect II
1t teaches merchants the moral Of the |
fable of the clark and her lille One,"
not TO rely on others for assistance.
We are now at the height OF the gay |
season. The operas did not meet the |
success expected AS their quality was
not the first, but all other Anusements |
are fully attended. Lectures are nu-
merous and upon nll topics and OF all
grades. These may be regarded as II |
part of the system OF education, for
they are the means Of imparting much
useful information upon the many sub.
Iecls political aud practical which affect |
the comfort and well being Of society.
There Is scarcely Il city or town OF any |
size In this vicinity that does not have
one or more courses Of lectures In the
winter, and In this city there are many
institutions whose chief object Is TO
furnish lectures upon any subjects that
may benefit the public. These subjects
range from spiritualism TO abstract
science; but however high or low their
rank they serve to keep the people
thinking. Yours, &C., q. f.