The Portland daily press., 1886-08-28
THE THIRD PARTY.
Its Position Described by Leading
Prohibitionist.
Mrs. J. Ellen Foster on the Mischief
Done in Its Name.
Mere Anxiety to Build up a Party
Than to Aid Prohibition.

The well-known prohibition advocate,
Mrs. j. Ellen Foster, president of the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union of
Iowa, having been in Boston on brief stay,
a representative of the Journal was afforded
opportunity for an interview, particularly
with reference to recent political phases Of
the total abstinence movement. "What is
the legal aspect of prohibition in your State
now?" was asked.
constitutional prohibition" replied Mrs.
Foster, twas enacted about four years ago.
1t had been enforced by legislative statute,
which was easily evaded, but at the last ses-
sion a measure, which has been known as the
Clark bill. was enacted, under which the
nenalties were increased and more stringent
provisions passed"
"Has that act been effectual in closing the
saloon?"
.It has-all except those in large cities"
''What answer would you give to the pro-
moters of an independent prohibition party
who argue that the Republican party fails to
enforce prohibition in the large cities ?"
81 would say that in scarcely one of these
cities has the Republican party any author
ity. The large cities are nearly all under
control of the Democrats.
ssHas the Republican Governor exerted
his authority in this direction?"
'Gov. Larrabee has gone to the very limit
of constitutional power in his desire to assist
the cities in their heroic attempt to main
tain law and order as against the ineendiary
and anarchial saloon element. This is
very delicate point as all students Of our po-
litical system know. No man could nave
done more than IIarrabee has DONE"
"How does the Third Party movement
stand in Iowa?
at has so little strength that it has scarce
ly been taken into account at all. Prohibi-
ton in Iowa has been movement OF the
people. by the people and for the people, and
now good men in all parties are supporting
it. The Democrats, at the last State conven-
tion, resolved in favor of local prohibition,
thing which never occurred before. A
Democratic platform, without personal lib
erty and anti-sulnptuary law-plank, is a
unique incident in the political history OF
"How do you account for this change in
the DemocratsW
ssThe fact is that the prohibition sentiment
of Iowa has become so dominant through
the agitation of the question by non -parti-
san methods that even the Democratic party
has become leavened with 1t, and the Demo
Gratis from the rural districts have been able
to control the whisky Democrats from the
large cities in the direction OIL the prohibl-
ssWbat is the general effect of the Third
Party movement throughout the eountry2
"My sentiments on that point are well
known, and are only intensified by time. i
believe that the Third Party movement is
based on a wrong idea of the relation of re-
forms to party action. The results have
been disastrous, and only disastrous. 1t is
beyond my comprehension that any temper
ance man should say, as an advocate of the
| Third Party movement is quoted as saying,
| that sit makes no difference whether any
party nominates a total abstinence clergy
man, or a beer drinker." 1t appears to me
such utterances indicate more of desire for
party-building than for, temperance promo
tion. have no sympathy with the desire to
kill any party, but am III hearty sympathy
with the desire to destroy the liquor traffic.
"Wnat has been the drift OF the Third
Party movement in Maine?"
SIT is seeking to defeat Ex-Governor Ding
| lev for Congress, who for quarter of GEN.
| tury has been one of the staunchest cham
| pionS of prohibition. In Congress he has
| championed the bills for a commission OF
| inquiry into the liquor traffic, for the enact
ment of constitutional prohibition, and for
the scientific instruction of the evils of alco-
| hol, which as recently passed in Congress
| makes it requisite in the educational system
| of the District of Columbia and OF all the
| Territories and the government institutions.
Indeed he has favored every measure IN
| support of prohibition. To my mind there
| is something little short of insanity in this
demanded party change. L denomlnate 1t
| pdrtyphobid."
what do you think of the movement in
! Massachusetts for a popular vote on the
question of enacting prohibition into the
| Constitutions
II think that constitutional prohibition is
| the last analysis of this great question on its
| legal side, and it is the duty. of the manly
| and progressive classes in all parties to give
| the people a chance to settle this great ques-
| tion at the ballot box by voting a constitu-
tional amendment. Any party that will so
far respect the right of the people as to de-
clare for the submission to popular vote
will win favor and support. l am rejoiced
| to see that leading Republicans in the State
are in favor of such action"
Regarding her temperance labors,. Mrs.
| Foster said that she had just returned from a
| tour in temperance campmeetings and was
en- route for the Thousand Islands, where
| she will speak on Sunday with Mrs. Liver.
| more. On the 1st of September she will
begin campaign for no license in the towns
| of Connecticut, and after that she Will
| speak in Pennsylvania for constitutional
prohibition.