The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-26
THE TEMPERANCE CAUSE.
An Enthusiastic Meeting of the Pro"
hibition Council of the State.
A Resolution to Renounce Allegiance to the
Old Parties and Form a Party
of Their Own.
THE PROHIBITION COUNCIL.

Address of the President and Report of the
MISUNDERSTANDING the Work of the Past
Two Years.
The sem-annual session of the Grand Tenn
perance Council of Indiana began yesterday, in
the hall of the Y. NJ. G. A., with an attendance
of about 200 delegates, representing forty-two
counties. The meeting was presided over by
w. H. Trammel, of Huntington. the first vice.
president.
The proceedings during the afternoon related
to the general business of the organization, con-
sisting chiefly in appointing committees and re-
ceiving the regular official reports. John A.
Forsythe, of the Seymour Democrat, was cho-
sen assistant secretary Of the council. A
telegram was received from Mrs. Lou Marker,
president of the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union of Missouri, sending greetings to the
council, with the suggestion that the power OF
the people should be put behind the proposed
constitutional amendments.
The presidents annual address was read by
Mr.. Trammel. 1t strongly favored constitu-
tional prohibition, and the history of the move
ments progress Was reviewed, from which the
conclusion was drawn that Indiana prohibition
lists had reason TO feel encouraged. Ultimate
victory, he thought, was certainly assured. He
recon. tnended that at the forthcoming elections
candidates who not in favor of the meas
ure. In that way the influence of the
prohibitionists in politics could be tested. Ii
their wishes were given no respect, they would.
at their meeting in the spring, determine upon
such action as the situation seemed TO oemano;
The report of John II. Whitsou, the general
secretary, was submitted, showing that the re-
ceipts during the last six months had been in-
sufficient to defray the expenses. There had
been little active work since the April meeting.
but the organization in most localities s still In
good condition. On account OF the lack OF
funds to pay fer service, the secretary had been
compelled to practically abandon active work.
and the organization is now, he reported, large
ly in debt The receipts Of the treasurer during
the last six months amounted TO only nttle
m ore than 1920
The executive committee of the council sub
United o report reviewing the temperance WorK
in the Stete, as follows:
= tstFor the past two yeare and more almost the
entire Effort of the council has beeP directed to;
ward securing prohibition through the means of
an amendment TO our State constitution. The petit
tons for this measure were drafted, printed, cir
eulated and signed by some 10000 voters, un-
der the direction and influence OF this organiza-
ton. Through the vigilance of its friends, many
of whom were members of the central com
mittee of the council, the measure was kept be-
fore the Legislature, and finally secured barely
the necessary m jority in the Senate, and so the
first step was secured, and all friends of temper
anee felt elated. When the election
for the succeeding Legislature was
approaching the propriety of sub
hitting the amendment to a popular vote
became political question, and the temperance
sentiment among the masses of the people was
strong enough to compel the two dominant par
ties to commit themselves upon the issue. They
were not asked to pronounce in favor of pro-
hibitoD, but simply of submission OF the amend
ment. The Democratic party pronounced
against prohibition, and promised submission
only as q last resort, and provided they could
notdefeat It beforehand. The Republican party
committed itself to submission, and although
the result was the defeat of that party, the
Dewly-elected members of the Legislature were,
amaiority of them, favorable to our cause, and
the defeat of the party can be accounted for on
other grounds than that the prohibition amend
ment unpopular.
"UpOn revie wing the labors, successes and re-
verses of the past year, although our measure
was defeated and rejected on technical pleas,
we still believe great progress has been made
toward general popular occupation of the
doctrine that legal governmental prohibition
and suppression Of the liquor traffic is right in
principle and polite in practice, and in some
measure due TO the efforts of our organization"
The following persons, representing the diff
ferent congressional districts, were appointed
to prepare resolutions expressing the senti-
ments OF the meeting: First district, Isaac
Keen, Of Evansville; Second, A. b. Mckee,
yincennes; Third, B. F. Carter Seymour;
Buckles, Putnam; Sixth. A. NJ. Way, Randolph;
Seventh. T. A. Goodwin, Indianapolis; Eighth,
G. W. Moss, Clay county; Ninth, J. A.. Houser,
CHARLES bbes grant Son6
ty; Twelfth, J. P. Cessna, Noble county, and
Thirteenth, G. W. Bowers, ST. Joseph county.
E. B. Reynolds, Ell Miller. Mrs. M. L. Wells
and D. B. Ross were appointed committee to
consider the state of the organization, with in
structions to recommend such changes as might
be deemed necessary.
Shiel, WI. Durham and John H. Whitson a
monumental committee to receive con tribntions
TO aid in the erection of monument to the
memory of the late DIR. ]. W. F. Gerrish, presi-
dent OF the council
EVENING SESCTON