Smyrna times., 1882-03-15

SENATOR BAYARD AND TEMPERANCE |
LEGIsLATION.-It was singular coincl- .
dence that while the Rev. DR.. Babcock, |
secretary of the National Temperance !
Union, was making an injudicious attack !
ON Senator Bayard, in the Conference at
Middletown, thus in q measure comprom-
ising that body of ministers with his indls-
cretion, that Mr. Bayard should be at the
same time speaking as Senator in Wash
iAgton against the appointment OF COM
mission to inquire into the alcohol liquor
traffic and it's relation to the morality and
general welfare Of the community. The
bill had been under consideration for some
months and provides for the appointment
of commission of seven persons, not
more than four of whom shall be of the
same political party, nor be advocates OF
prohibition, who shall investigate the
alcoholic liquor traffic, its relations to
revenue and taxation, and its general
economic, criminal, moral and scientific
aspects in connection with crime, &c The
to the practical results of license and pro-
hibitory legislation. The commissioners
are to serve without salary, the expenses
to be provided for by an appropriation
and to report within eighteen months. 1t
had been running long course on the
calendar and when finally reached, Mr..
Bayard stepped to the froRt as the cham
pion to compass its defeat. The first at
tempt was to waste the hour allotted to it'
consideration by proposing amendment
designed to load it down and make it OBJ
jectionable even to its friends. Mr. Con
ger made seme vigorous criticisms of thu
indirect and evasive methods of his Oppo
nents, which under his leadership wer
voted down. Fillibustering of a mild form
10 Consume the last few minutes Of tn
hour, was attempted but the Senate wa
brought to a direct vote before continuing
the consideration of the measure beyon
the morning hour and until it was dis
posed of, which was carried with singl
exception by strict party vote. Th
arguments of Senator Bayard and other
that the constitutional rights Of the State
to control and regulate their own soci;
affairs, would be invaded, was efectil q
answered by Senator Conger, who sa.|
effect, that the measure proposed no legi
lation, but merely sought for information
The precedents were numerOus-ths ye
low fever commission, the cotton worI
the grass-hopper and other like cOmmi
sions being cases in point.
Mr.. Bayard has been held in higher c
TEEN and regard than most POLITICAL
because he was considered to be actuat'
by higher motives than most men OF tE
class, and certainly in the matter
"Iobbery' and finances, his course /
commended itself 10 public favor. 1t
therefore with the greater disappointme
that they see him working ia the intert
of that which degrades or destroys o
young men, reduces helpless women a
children to want, brutalizes the higher
instincts and blights every thing it touch
lying all around him, and SO far as
have sem not one measure has ever be
proposed even by the License System,
counteract and help to prevent thu
moral wrecks. In the letter to our Leg
l,ture last Winter, that was credited W
deciding the course of legislation, the
preston, 81 do not believe any man
greater horror of intemperancs than
aud my appreciation of it's dangers a
evil effects grows with my experience
human affairs" SQUADS strangely WI
coupled with the fact that be signs the