The Portland daily press., 1882-05-05
An Ohio Letter.
Something About Cincinnati and Its
People.

To the Editor of the Press
What sudden tranfcrmations are brought
about in this world Of ours, in short space OF
time. During the past two wesks, have trav-
ersed the State of Ohio, from Cleveland, the
pride of the lakes, to Cincinnati, the would be
Paris OF America. Afiftsen minutes ride, after
leaving Cleveland, brings 10 our view the beau
tiful farms OF this grand old State; and how
wonderfully restful to the eye are thess long
stretches of vslvsty green, after spending 3
week midst the bustling crowds of q smoke.
covered and dusty Western city. One not only
breathes more freely, but finds real solid COM
fort in sitting down in the oushion-ooversd
seats Of these finely furnished cars, and being
whirled over niles upon miles of lsvsl eoun-
try, with its six inches growth OF wintsr wheat,
touched by the hand of Nature with that pscu-
liar freshness OF color, only to be foxHd in the
spring OF the ysar. And then there are the
"Catte upon thousand" plains, for which
Ohio is noted, and such fiocks OF sheep with
their spring lambs friskiny about, and rushing
off as If for dear life, as the train sFssds by,
looking for all the world like poodle dog on
stills.
Not the least interesting sight 10 ne, Was
that of the farmers ploughing up the rich
earth, so rich as to be almsst black, having in
some cases as many as three teams, enc jsst in
advance OF another, plsdding along apparently
so easily, followed by the sower, AID that BY
the rake, making here huge black spot, and
leaving there bright gresa plain, loskiDg in
deed much like vast checker board
Ohio has been terribly stirred up since tie
Legislature adjourned, in regard to the cele-
tad stpand law - and the HSmitb amepd-
ment," both of which recently passed that au-
| gust body. The former calls for high license
| from all saloon keepers and druggists, the lat
| ter calls for the closing OF all saloons Oh the
| Sabbath.
I CHANGED to be in Columbus last Sunday,
| when, for tho first time, the "Smith' law was
| to be enforced, and can truly say it WAS near
or approach to our New England Sabbaths,
| than any Sabbath day l have seen since leav-
| ing home. The average number Of arrests in
| Columbus, on that day, has bssa twenty-five,
| while last Sunday three persons only were
| locked ap. There was some show made to-
| wards resisting the law througheut the State,
| and more especially in Cincinnati, whore it is
| thought that at leaat one thousand out OF four
| thousand saloons, were kept open. A great
| many arrests have been made, and tho value
| of the law will be fairly tested.
Since the law passed, this city has gone Dem
ocratic in its municipal elections, and that
l great party of law, order and reform make loud
1 s-~
l State. On the contrary predict that hepso'
| pie will show by their ballots that their repre-
l sentatives Lave expressed their yisws fully
| and that the grand old Puritan" party is In
the right as usual.
/ have not tho tins now to explain the Pond
law, but it is very broad and far reaching in it,
demands, and will at once serve to drive intt
oblivion all the low dram shops, and place thu
trade in the hands OF the wealthy saloon keep
ers. Ofcourse this State is very far from pro
| hibition as yet, but 1T has certainly tAken
step in the right direction.
The city Of Cincinnati il attempting to csm
pei the manufacturers to place smoke consum
ers upon their buildings, and thus drive AVA!
it's greatest drawback. The smoke inspector
Gays there il already psrceptible increase Q
pure air. / will simply say he must be . Il
subject for the Blind Asylum. Cincinnati vii
always be dirty, and just so long ~ soft coal i
consumed here in such quantities. 50 long vii
people have dirty faces Tho city 10 missrAbl,
hilly part of Ohio. The soil is poor, the street.
too narrow, and houses sfblAck rs Egypt"
AS usual great interest il being taken here II
the "May Festival" +" and its success is alread.
assured. The dramatic Festival talked 0
to be given here in the Fall with all tho lead
ing actors, must be abandoned for the present
as Mccullough, Barrett, Jefferson and Ray
| mond, although perfectly willing to do wha
they can towards making it q success, are 81
engaged a year ahead, and cannot possibly q
about at any time, Cincinnati il the place, .
it is really astonishing the way in which none
here is spent for music and the drama.
expect in few days to find myself in Ken
lucky, when if possible, intend making tri
to the celebrated Mammoth Cave as l re
gret very much not doing in December lasl
being within seven miles only of the entrances
Whether my descriptive powers shall be sucl
as will enable mo to give detailed account Q
that trip, remains to be seen.
WARREN W. Coin.