Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-06-24
STATE TEMPERANCE CONVENTION
At Grafton In session-Its Organization
and Plans.
A, "A. o..I..,

At Grafton In session-Its Organization
and Plans.
Special 70 the iSraSay Register.
GRAFTON, June 23.-The State Temper
ance Convention met in the United Brethren
church in this city at o'clock this after
noon. In the absence of the chairman Of
State Committee, Hon. David McGregor
called the convention to order and named
Rev. D. Fl. K. Dix as temporary chairman
and Rev. ". N. Weekly temporary secre
tary. Rev. Sleet prayed, and the conven-
ton was opened for business.
G. W. Atkinson moved that the following
committees be appointed on permanent Or
ganization: Credentials, Resolutions, Fl
nance, West Virginia Freeman State Ex
ecutive Committee, Order of Business and
Representation. A recess Of ten minutes
was taken 10 allow the different delegations
to name the members of the various COM
mittees, after which the convention ress-
sembled and the names Of the different
Committees Announced.
The convention then took recess until
four O'Clock, and upon its reassembling
Hon. Fontaine Smith, of Marion county,
was reported as permanent president, G. w.
Atkinson as vice president and Rev. VIM.
N. Weekley as secretary.
On taking the chair Mr.. Smith made
short address in his usual enthusiastic style
which was warmly spplauded by the con-
vention. The report Of the committee on
basis Of credentials was heard and adopted,
which gave al temperance workers seat
and vote in the convention. The committee
on order OF business reported in favor OF
grand mass rally at the court house tonight
at 9 o'clock, which met with violent oprosi-
ton, and was finally modified so as to be
only q meeting of the convention for the
purpose Of discussing the report Of the COM
mittee on resolutions. The convention then
adjourned to meet at the court house this
evening at y o'clock. Nothing of special
interest has so for occurred, but it is plain
to be seen that x.Marshal Atkinson is here
To Capture the Prohibition Party
and to hold it as an ally to the Republicans
in the coming contest in this State. That
he will have hard road to travel is very
apparent, as there are some old stsgers in
the temperance party who ara viol entity
opposed to his methods. Among them are
the Rev. Carter, of Parkersburg, Ike John
son, of the Freeman, and others who are
in favor of third party movement. The
Committee on Resolutions had a stormy
session for short time this afternoon and
a lively session is looked for tonight.
1t is now certain that two sets Of
resolutions will be reported, one looking to
affiliations with the old parties, the other in
favor Of third party. The last view is
chsmpioned by Tom Csrsksdon Of Mineral
county, who is q leading spirit in the Con-
vention, and is chairman of the Committee
on Resolutions, and who is making sthorny
path for Wes Atkinson, and who seems now
to have the sympathy Of the Convention.
| What may be done tonight, however, is
only conjecture, as the Convention is a
conglomerstion without head or leader.
The amusing features is the movements
of the ex.Marshall who gides about among
the delegates with such a ssnctimonious
smile and he brothers the delegates with
as much familiarity as though he was really
| interested at heart in the prohibition move.
ment. The personal of the convention is
| good and while the attendance IS small there
| being not more than seventy.fye delegates
present it is body of intelligent men who
| in the main seem to be IN earnest.