Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-03-03
che freeman.
Notes from Iowa.

Notes from Iowa.
..The oldest inhabitant recalls no
clear weather precedent to the present
winter. Some characteristic traits have
appeared, but they have been but the
occasionally outcropping of idiosyncracies
which have been in general held under
restraint Caprciousness is the most
marked of these traits; extremes OF tenn
pcraure iostliug each other most uncom-
fortably, puzzling an active thermometer
to keep pace with the transition. Ihls
season, however, has been unusually uni
form in temperature, and unusually mlld
in degree Snow has fallen in this part OF
the state but few times, and remained
but few dlvs; but little mud has annoy
cd us; the DAYS have been bright, clear,
cool and hracing; altogether as delightful
It winter as ll0 or 40 north latitude can
anywhere furnish.
Business is as active rs the weather is
charming. For three years southern Iowa
had harvested but partial CROP owing to
wet summers; last season gave US one of
the most bOuntiful harvests ever gathered
in this state of golden results. Prices
lave advanced unusually, So that farmers
are jubilant over full granaries and full
prices us well. All branches of industry
have felt the impulse from the better
times, and no willing laborer lacks remu-
nerative employment. The coal mining
interest of Iowa is II grand source of reve-
nue.; and in Nahaska county the demand
is largely in excess of the present possible
supply,
But one real drawback on our prosperity
exists. and that is the dark and damning
SIN of intemperancc. Nominally, Iowa
has Il prohibitory law; in fact, only
ghostly resemblance remains. Political
leaders sold the virtue of the state years
ago to roncilate the German vote, and
wine and beer clause in the statute opened
the sluices Of all evil. Local option rs to
the Wine ard beer is provided for, but the
machine manages matters so as to defeat
the will of the people in all our important
centres of population, either by direct vote
or by laXity OF administration. 1t is well
nigh impossible to secure "A conviction for
violation of the general statute concerning
distilled liquors, because of the convenient
refuge furnished by the legalized beer sa-
loon. Lust fall the republican party pro-
nouncrd in favor of submitting to the
people an amendment to the constitution
prohibiting the manufacture and sale of
distilled and fermented liquors except for
mechanical and medicinal purposes. This
measure is now pending before the legisa-
tule, with fair prospects of success. The
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
has specially championed this movement.
and has been ably represented, both before
the people and the legislature by Mrs j.
Ellen Foster, n tirst-rate lawyer and de-
voted Methodist. In this case, at least,
there is no incongruity between these two.
There i; also pending an amendment to
our existing statute, repeating the wine
and beer clause. This will meet the solid
opF position Of the democrats, who are COM
mtted to license, the eer-guzzling repub.
licaus and the I'm mtchine" men. The lat
ter favor d" the party" which means the
spoils. These blind leaders overlook one
sure thing, namely, that Christian Iowa
will not long endure the dictaton of King
Gambrinus, and the purity Of most immor-
al practice, whatever its "ideas," must
repent and reform, or go to the wall.
A victory for woman's suffrage was
won in the House last week in the passage
of II bill by II close vote. This will prob
ably be defeated in the Senate but the
ghost will not down Woman's ballot
would soon settle the liquor traffic; hinc
WF Mchrjnt@
The death of Bishop Haven is keenly
felt throughout the west. No one of his
colleagueS-not even our cherished Bishop
Andrews-had II stronger grip on alI
classes with whom he came in contact.
The almost universal feeling, too, is that
his life was sacrificed to vicious policy
Ten years ago Bishop Haven, in the col,
umns of Zio~'S Neraid, published vigor.
Gus editorial condemning the policy OF
sending bishops round the globe in their
episcopal mission That folly cost the
church the life of Bishop Kingsley; if moi
that Of Bishop Thomson; and now "tht
grandest Roman of them all, ,"-Gilbert
naven-has been inundated on that altar
Will we ever learn wisdom from the re
suits Of our lollyP
Bishop making is now in order, and tn,
secular papers are busy designating 18th [
successor" of the translated leader 1t i.
not a little amusing to read the sage utter
ances of these astute writers, whose ever,
line betrays their ignorance of the com
monest features of our economy. Th,
western church press is wisely reicent Oh
the question of candidates. The North
aDcStern sees no harm in the presentation
of the names of suitable persons for thl
high office, provided the whole truth i
told-faults as well as excellences pointe
out; but there's the rub" Honest truth
telling in a matter of that sort is YER
delicate and difficult matter. One thin!
is certain; there is II growing disposition
to let alone any one who is known to b
candidating." The place should seel
the man, not the man the place, and an
bargaining for power should meet witt
prompt lebuke.
AS to the number of new bishops de
mandcd, the general sentiment of the Yves
will favor but two, or at most three. Tn
unwisdom. of the general conference q
1868 in refusing to elect any bishops, fore
ed in 1872 the election of eight; that risI
will not again be voluntarily incurred
Tho uoriOus Cpptio pf tho oo,ot,., -,