The freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1886-18??, 1886-07-28

DG7tttOn l. t6 1toPWooeo"" DoUo"o'
Getting Uneasy-Prohibitaom Party
Strength Developing Unexpectedly
IN That State.
MCPHERSON, KAN, July 16. The
second Prohibition State Conven-
ton has been held in Kansas. On
Tuesday and Wednesday OF this
week, it met at Emporia, a fairly
central point, though well east OF
the States geographical centre. 1t
was large, all things considered, and
bent on business. [ suppose there
were over 300 delegates present be-
fore the motion passed making all
members who were in accord with
the movement. Gray heads pre-
dominated, but young men were
not wanting, and everyone appear
ed in dead earnest. There was no
Slate" and inexperience in con-
vention methods could be read
through each days work, but re-
suits came out without much fric-
ton, and were satisfactory.
The choice of candidate for Gov
ernor revealed considerable Anti
monopoly and Greenback element,
the influence of which, indeed, had
been manifested IN the platform
adopted Wednesday morning, be-
fore nominations began. The fact
is that Kansas reform factors have
fused without any special effort by
Prohibitionists to this end, and
while this may mean future en-
barrassment to one or the other of
these factors, it brings now a great
increase of Prohibition party pow
er. Prohibition is the prime idea,
and stands out before every other,
but the platform attacks railroad
monopoly, and is quite broadly in
elusive of reform purposes in gen.
eral. Its breadth leaves no man a
chance to sheer at Prohibitionists
as "a one-idea party" in this State
The Anti-monopoly element
came near making trouble on NOM
inee for head of the ticket. Mr.. J.
w. Forest received 1876 votes on the
informal ballot, against all other
names presented, and was clearly
first choice-a young man of fine
parts Zone of our bureau contribu-
tors, by the way,) and hereafter to
be heard from. But just whsn he
would have been made the candi-
date by reclamation, somebody de-
clared him banker, and a money
lender, according to Kansas usuri-
Gus methods, and he was forced off
the track in manner very humil-
iating to him-though he bore
himself most commercially
through it all-and not to the
credit of anti-monopolistic good
sense. In the little storm which
this matter excited, Gov. St. John
showed his great tact, and was an
influential harmonizing force, To
us from the East, who believe most
in the Governor, having there
known him best, the reception &C
corded him by those of his own
State, who know him better yet,
was hardly less gratifying than
to him. The Kansas people believe
in John P. St. John, however Kan
sas politicians may curse him, and
he can and does appeal to his re-
cord for two terms as Governor, in
proof of clean hands, and clear
head, and great heart. No State
administration was ever more scru-
pulous than his, and no other man
in Kansas has ever had his person
al following. He could have taken
the nomination for Governor and
beaten John A. Martin out of sight.
Had his motive in all this been
mere spite, he would have accepted
such nomination instead of posi-
lively declining it as he did, and
we should have seen a bitter fight
against Republican leaders, with
the sure end of their defeat.
Hon, G. II. Branscombe, who be-
came the nominee, was a Blaine
man two years ago, but soon re-
canted, and stands out now among
strong third party leaders. He IS
much better known than Mr.. For
est, and is well spoken Of by all.