Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1884-07-31
The Prohibition Platform.

PIrrsBURG, July 24.-The platform re-
ported by the committee acknowledges
God in the Government, declares that
traffic in beverages under national and
State laws is productive OF crime and
pauperism, burden to taxation for penal
and sheltering institutions, endangering to
public peace, cOrrupting to politics, and
imposing manifold other evils upon the
people. These laws are alike contrary to
good laws, contrary to our happiness. and
we call upon our fellow citizens to aid in
the repeal of these laws
The history of the past twenty-four
wears leads to the conclusion that the Re-
publican party is insensible to the redress
of these wrongs, and should no longer be
entrusted with the government. Its Pres
idential nominee of its last convention,
Mr.. Blaine, has within years past pub
lished recommendations that the liquor
revenue be distributed among the States,
and Logan to devote the revenue to the
support of schools. This is virtually
recommendation of perpetuatlon OF the
traffic. The Democratic partys position
against prohibition proves that it should
not be entrusted in power and place.
There can be no greater peace to the nation
than by effectinga competition Ofthe Repub-
lican and Democratic parties for the liquor
vote.
We favor a reform in the administration
of the government in the abolition Of all
sinecure offices and officers, in the election
of post officers of the government instead
of appointment by the President, and that
competency, honesty and sObriety are es-
sential qualifications for holding civil
Office: that the collection of revenue from
alcoholic liquors and tobacco should be
abolished as a vice to men and not proper
subjects for taxation that revenue for
custom duties should be levied for the
support of the government economically
administered, and when so levied the fOs-
tering of American manufactures and in
dustries should constantly be held in view
that the public lands should be held for
homes for the people, and not for gifts to
corporations or to be held IN large bodies
for speculation upon the deed of actual
settlers That all money, coin and paper
shall be made, issued and regulated by the
general government, and shall be legal
tender for all debts, public and private
that grateful care and support should be
given to our soldiers and sailors, their de-
pendent widows and orphans
Werepudiate as American and contrary
the principles of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence the exclusion of any person OF
persons from residence or citizenship among
the oppressed of all nations.
| That while there are important reforms
demanded for the purity of administration
and the welfare of the people, their impOr-
| tance sinks into insignifcance when cOmpar-
ed with the reform of the drink traffic, and
| Congress should exercise its undOubted
power and prohibit the manufacture and
| sale of intoxicating beverages in the Dis
| trict of Columbia the Territories of the
United States, and all places over which
| the Government has exclusive jurisdic-
ton.
That hereafter no State shall be admitted
into the Union until it's constitution shall
expressly prohibit polygamy and the
the manufacture and sale of Intoxicating
beverages.
The resolutions pay tribute to the
woman working in this temperance move
ment and conclude thus: Believing in the
! civil and political equality of the sex and
| that the ballot in the hands OF woman
| is right for her protection and would prove
| a powerful ally for the abolition OF the
| drinking saloons, the execution OF laws
| the promotion of reform in civil affairs
and the removal of corruption in the pub
lie list, we relegate the practical outwork-
| ing of Just reform to the discretion OF the
Prohibition party in the several States
according to the condition OF the puollc