The Portland daily press., 1886-09-17
ANTI-sALooN REPUBLICANS,
Meet in Chicago and HoId.a Success.
full Convention.

CHICAGO, Sept. 16.-Ine rSG national
convention of anti-saloon Republicans be-
gan its sessions this forenoon. There were
about 800 delegates present United States
Senator Henry w. Blair, of New Hamp-
shire, was elected temporary chairman. Ad-
dressing the convention, Mr.. Blair expressed
thanks for the honor, and said: I'VE are
here for the destruction of the rum traffic
throughout this country and throughout the
world l think speak the sentiment of the
convention when say that as between free
rum and low license, we are in favor of high
license (cheers); that as between high Ii.
cense and prohibition, we are in favor OF
prohibition great cheering). Mr.. Blair went
on to say that the delegates also met as Re-
publicans. They were in the party and
could not be driven out, and he was one of
those who believed it was only through the
Republican party that the suppression of the
liquor traffic could be secured. The call of
States was then proceeded with to form the
committees on permanent organization and
credentials, order of business and resolu-
tions.
The committee on permanent organization
reported the name of ex-senator William
Window of Minnesota, for permanent chair
man, and he was unanimously elected. Mr..
Window was loudly cheered as he took the
chair. Among other things, he said I'VE
are here under call of true and loyal Re-
publcans, desiring through that party to ac-
complish what we belive will be a great good
for the American people. For myself,
never had the slightest thought Of attempt
ing to organize a new political party
think such a thought does not enter the
mind of any other delegate here present. fhe
party that freed the slave; that dignifed hu-
man labor; that enacted the homestead
laws; that suppressed the great rebellion;
that defended its honor in peace and adyanc-
ed it to the front rank of the nations of the
earth, is good enough for me now" The
speaker said the record of the party for
twenty years showed its willingness to grap-
pie this new issue, and carry it to victory
The issue was as grave as any the Republic
cans had ever had to meet in in the past. 1t
nate the politics of the nation.
"We do not meet to dictate to the Republi
can party" said the speaker; I'VE are here
simply for consultation. We meet to EN-
courage it to take hold of this question,
which it surely will have to do and the
sooner Ethe better" The speaker said he
would look at the question from political
standpoint, and not from moral standpoint.
The saloon was in politics with its assess.
ments and money 1t was the, open ally OF
anarchy. 1t today controlled the politics of
every large city, and 1t elected your mayors:
| In Minnesota the Democratic party had
| nominated for Governor "the very incarna-
| ton of saloonists." Mr.. Window then spoke
| for thirty minutes on general issues. He
| touched on the Prohibitionists, and said it
| was his view that they could carry out their
purposes in better way than they were
| now doing. In following the lead of the
| Republican party they:would find that party
| had said that slavery should extend no far
| ther, and on that platform slavery was
| abolished. If the Republican party would
| declare for high license or local option and
| recognize the right of the people to vote on
the question directly when they. wished to do
so, all lovers of temperance should follow
| that lead.
A number of short speeches were made in
| the afternoon while the convention waited
| for the committee on resolutions to report.
| Mr. Dunn of Maine, said the Republican
| party was amply able TO enforce prohibition
in Maine. The people had no faith in the
| Prohibitionists as political party. but In
| thetRepubliean party for the creation and
| enforcement of the statutes governing the
sale and manufacture of liquor
The resolutions adopted declare that the
| liquor traffic as it exists today in the United
States is the enemy of society. a fruitful
| source of corruption in politics. the ally OF
| anarchy, school of crime, and with its
| aVoWed purpose of seeking to c0rruptly con-
troll elections and legislation is a menace to
| the public welfare and deserves the condem-
| nation of all good men.
Resolved, That we declare war against the
| saloon and hold it to be the supreme duty of
| the government to adopt such measures as
| shall restrict and control its influence, and
| at the earliest possible moment eXtinguish it
altogether. We believe the national govern
ment should absolutely prohibit the manu-
| facture and sale of intoxicating liquors in the
| DlSUrlcJ Oh COlulllDid anu III all LH6 ItIIlIU-
ries of the United States. We believe that
the best practical method of dealing with
| the liquor traffic in the several States is to
let the people decide whether it shall be pro-
| hibited by the submission of constitutional
| amendments, and until such amendments are
adopted by the passage of local option laws.
Resolved. That inasmuch as the saloon
| business creates special burden OF taxa
| ton upon the people to support courts, jails
| and almshouses, therefore large annual tax
| ch hn lnyi iad co
continue to exist and that they should be
| made responsible for all public and private
injury resulting from the traffic:
Resolved, That the Republican party,
| wherever and whenever in power, will faith
fully enforce whatsoever ordinances, stat
uteS, or constitutional amendments may be
enacted for the restriction OF suppression of
the liquor traffic.
Resolved That we approve the action of
Congress and of those States that have done
so in providing for teaching physiological eff
fects of intoXicantS in our public schools and
that we earnestly recommend to every State
Legislature the enactment OF such laws as
shall provide for thorough teaching of such
effects to our children.
Resolved That we demand that the Re-
publican party, to which we belong, and
whose welfare we cherish, shall take a firm
and decided stand as the friend of home and
the enemy of the saloon in favor of this poll
cy and these measures. We pledge ourselves
to do our utmost to cause the party to take
such a stand, and we call npon. all temper
ance men and all friends of humanity OF
whatever party or name to join with US in Sc.
curing these objects and in the support Of
the Republican party so far as it shall adopt
| them.
The national committee was then appoint.
ed with the following New England men,
| berS:
Maine, Senator VIM p Frye.
New Hampshire Senator Henry w. Blair
| Vermont, George A. Brown.
| Massachusetts,, Col E. I'll. Haskell
Rhode Island, Henry b. Metcalf,
| Adiournn1