New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-03
TOPICS IN BOSTON.
Official AND SOCIAL EVENTS.

POLITICAL AND SOCIAL EVENTS
WORK BIFoRE THE NEW OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
STATE KLrCTIoNs-THE BOSTON ELEVATED
RAILRoADs-THK SEASON AT THE OPERA AND
THE THEATRES.
tyROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRiBUNE.l
Boston, Dec. 31.-The Massachusetts Legislature
will convene on next Wednesday, jan
uary 8, and many interesting questions will come up
for considera zion. Another effort will be made TO
secure the adoption Of a constitutional amendment
providing for biennial elections. THIS subject was
brought before the Legislature of 1880, and the
preliminary measure was nearly adopted. 1t was
defeated largely through the efforts of Of the
alleged representatives from Boston. and, to use
homely expression, he died yearling," being re-
nominated Tor the House this year but defeated
at the polls. His defeat was doubtless
due in large degree to his vote and his efforts
against the desired change in the system of State
elections. The proposition before the Legislature
was simply to allow the people Of the State to de-
eide by ballot whether tey wanted annual or bI-an
nual elections. The gentleman referred to appar-
emily did not think the people of Massachusetts,
sufficiently intelligent to decide that question: but
the people in his district proved themselves intell-
gent enough to let him attend to his private busi-
thI' year. The people of this State arr weary
OF the needless strife and expense of annual cleo
tiOns.
On the second Tuesday of the season, January IS,
the Legislature will proceed to the election Of
United States Senator to succeed the Hon. Henry
l.. Dawes. Undoubtedly MIR. Dawes will be his own
successor, for although other candidates could be
found, the present occupant Of the Senatorial chair
gives general satisfaction, ana there appears to be
little opposition 10 his reelection.
The Committee GU Towns will find enough to
occdpy its time. Maiden, one of the suburbs of
Boston, aspires tn become city, and will doubtless
secure the coveted charter. The town of BrOcktOn,
a large shoe manufacturing town. twenty-four
miles south of Boston, is also discussing the
propriety of becoming a city. Then there
are numerous other towns that desire to be set off
from some adjoining territory or to be reunited to
portions already divorced by other Legislatures.
The Hon. George S. Boutwell,, President of the
Massachusetts, Central Railway Company, will seek
an extension of time for che location and cOnstruc
tiOn of that line.
The Sunday laws of the Commonwealth will re-
ceve some attention The laws regulating travel on
Sunday have seriously affected the business Of the
HoOsac Tunnel line. and as the State owns and con-
trolls the tunnel and over thirty miles of the connect
ing road it cannot consistently permit the runnngof
through trains regularly. in view of the Sunday
laws 1t seems probable that OF no very distant day
the Sunday laws will he very decidedly modified.
The elevated railway question will again come
M for consideration. The defeat last year has
seemed to whet the ardor of the projectors Of the
scheme and instead Of one corporation three or four
will apply for charters. This question Is assuming
proportions alarming to those owning real estate on
some portions of the proposed routes. The expert
ence of New-Yorkers in the lower part of
the city does not tend to increase
the desire of Boston merchants to have
their stores darkened, and the privacy of their
i ~. anfv
Some who own practically useless tracts of real
estate in the suburbs see in the elevated railway
medium by which the value of their estates can be
increased many fold, and naturally enough they are
found among the advocates OF rapid transit.
1t is thought probable that extra session of the
Legislature will be called to consider the revised
statutes Double taxation. the liquor question. the
abolition of the pOl-tax. savings banks and other
topics will come up for consideration
The opera season opened at the Boston Theatre on
Monday with the most faCterng prospects. The sale
of seats has been remarkably large. and on Gerster
nights few vacant seats to be found. MIR. Maple
son has educated the tastes OF our music loving
people to high standard that they turn the cold
shoulder to what were formerly considered attrac-
tiODs.
although two OF three have not made much. II any,
money up to the present date. The Museum. which
was remodelled last summer, and is now
probably the most beautiful and comfort
able theatre in Boston, has done very
large business the greater part OF the time The
Gnv'nor" has bad very successful run OF nve
weeks and its end IS not yet announced. Manager
Stetson OF the Globe, has placed BOstOnians under
great obligations to him for the energy and enter
prise manifest in giving hrstcclaSs attractions.
When he took the Globe his failure was quite gen.
eraIlv predicted, bat ne has made a bold and sue
cessfu push for the front rank. Last season Neil
appeared there. aud will be followed next week by
Salvini. The Boston Theatre has done 2 much
smaller business with the "VOyaRers In Southern
upon the stage in magnificent shape, but it failed
to strike the popular chord The Masque of Pan
dora ~ LonRfellOws poem, has been set to music by
Alfred Collier and will be gwen at the Boston as
grand opera, in a couple of weeks, following Mr.
Mapieson's engagement