The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-07-31
Movement Towards Securing
SumpJuary Legislation and
Constitutional Amendment.

sos delegates, say to Indianapolis
stand firm, trust Gods cause, and o
ganize an independent party fl
prohibition"
| l. was suggested that, as thel
would be two conventions held to-da
in Indianapols,-pronibition and ten
perance-the same telegram be sen
to both, and it was so ordered.
Mr.. Mosper. of Maryland, said tina
the thanks of the convention wer
due to the general government for tn
interest manifested by it in the con
vention, as shown by its sending tw,
high officers-the commissioner O
pensions aud the commissioner of In
dian affairs, to indianapolis to advis
delegates. These gentlemen it ap
peared by the morning paper, haC
gone back to Washington and reported
that the convention could not b,
bribed at any price; that they could
not even be hired TO go home. Gap
piause and laughter.)
Mr.. Bruce, of Maryland, offered &
resolution on the same subject. This
and other resolutions "aS to Woman's
suffrage, temperance, missionary mat.
teis, and affairs at the south, etc.
were referred to the committee on res.
olutions. kilograms from various
temperance and prohibition societies,
throughout the country, were read and
applauded.
The convention, at 1920, proceeded
to the call of states for nominations.
CALL OF STATES.
When the state of California was
called, Mr.. Babcock came to the stand
to propose the name of r. III. Melon
aid. He spoke Of him as a man who
had borne the banner of prohibition
in the wine cursed state of California,
but against whom scandalous assaults
had been made. DR.. Mcdonald had
been charged with having manufact-
ured and sold alcohol in a medicine in
the form of certain bitters. He as
serted that there was not single bot
tie of that medicine sent out
that did not bear around it a temper
ance tract attacking the liquor traffic,
and he stood here to refute an infa-
nous SANDER that there was drop of
alcohol in these bitters. DR.. McDon-
aid had offered prizes to the schools of
San Francisco for essays on the sub
ject of intemperance, and of tobacco.
He was surprised to find these SLAM
ders circulating in Pittsburg. but it
to him this most Infamous
lie of the whisky traffic was picked up
and circulated by temperance men.
DR.. Mcdonald, Kentuckyan by birth,
was siXty-four years of age, in the full
vigor of matured manhood and intelli-
gence; man of large experience; a
business man and a man
of executive ability and sagacity. He
was cautious and conservative in his
firm and self-reliaut; had
been always a cheerful and generous
giYer. While he did not seek the NOM
nation, if he were nominated
his purse, his enthusiasm, and his
courage would set at defiance all eff
forts to disorganize or render inef-
fective their canvass. He was man
who had means, and who was willing
to contribute of these means.
EX-GOVERNOR ST. JOHN.
When the state of Illinois was
called Mr.. George Christian, OF that
state, came to the platform to ncmi-
nate Ex-Governor st. John. He said
the name which he would present to
the convention was above any other
name in its power to gather together
and concentrate the forces of the pro-
hibition movement. 1t was name
known in every household in the land.
He was a man whose record specially
commended him to the consideration
of the convention. He was gentle
man who had seen war; who had
lived on the bloody plains of the far
west; who was the father of an actual
practical prohibition constitu' ion.
He was a man whose whole soul
and energies were entirely devoted to
the cause. Although Nj. st. John
had had barrel, yet the bung had
always been out helping somebody.
He might not be able now to con-
tribute very largely in material way,
but he could give to the cause the in
fiuence of moral force, and moral
heroism, which no other man now
named, OF to be named, could even
hope to give it. In behalf of the Illi-
nois delegation he had the honor to
present, for the Office of president, that
distinguished patriot, that magnifi-
cent leader, that Whole-souled leader
who had devoted his life to constitu-
tional prohibition, and who was
known as the Hon. John P. st. John.
Loud cheers and enthusiastic demon
stration.
A WOMAN's HARANGUE.
Miss Francis G. Willard seconded
the nomination of Mr.. st. John. She
spoke of having known him as little
man and bare foot boy, the age OF
ten. She had seen him go out into
the world unguided, making his way
toward the west, crossing the Big
Muddy with but one dollar in his
pocket; getting to Pixies Peak anC
across the Rockies and the Sierras
She had seen him when other mer
were asleep, studying Blackstone ant
Coke. When the war broke out h
did not wait to be drafted, bu
voluntarily barred his breast to thu
enemy. She saw him next elevated Il
the position of governor of a .grea
free State, and the idol of his party
There he was-the path finder-tht
John @. Fremont of the new cam
paign!
A delegate from Kentucky and on
from Maine seconded the nomination
Of Mcdonald and W. T. Eustis o
Maine put in nomination Gideon I
| Stewart of Ohio.
Mr.. Minor, of Massachusetts,, ais
seconded the nomination of Mr.. S
John.
When the state of Pennsylvani
was called Mr.. Pierce came to th
platform and put in nomination Hol
James Black, of Pennsylvania. 81
spoke of him as the author of the frs
prohibition platform ever issued i
this country. AS the author of th
platform of the country four yea
after, and as probably the author {
most of the planks that would be
the platform to-day.
| At this stage of the proceedings, M
Babcock. of California, who had non
mated DR.. Mcdonald, came to q
platform and said Mcdonald was fl
the cause and not for self. He (Ba
cock had presented his name, but w;
satisfied the temper of the conventio
and the interests of the cause
manded the withdrawal of Mcdonald
name. He therefore withdrew
Mr.Pierce, of Pennsylvania, also wit
drew the nomination of Mr.. Blac
and that of Stewart was Withdraw
, by the Maine delegation.
: Mr.. Finch. of Nebraska, moved tn
the roll call be suspended and tn