The New York legislature has' just passed what is known as the Wales Act, which permits the pad-Hocking of theatres for a period running from one day to one year w proof in a court of law "that pla Ihave been presented on their stages that were obscene and injurious to [the morals of young persons. or old." This is the most drastic piece" lof censorship that yet has been acc Jcomplished in the United States. It recalls (remarks Mr. G. C. Warren) some of the delightful "blue laws" of the Puritans in the 17th century, laws and habits of mind that still cling to people of this country and set them apart from the rest of machind. Mr, Warren declares, however, that thi ner of thought straitdaced man-been worn down the last ten years has given a sort continental air to the metro} its crowds, its methods of living. id its forms of thinking." It is is opinion that the Wales law brings people up with a jerk to realize the old standards of Puritan New {England still -are the media for 'American thought, but we must not forget that the occasion for the passing. of this extraordinary and very_severe-law was the' presenta.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.